We have seen an increase in the number of complaints by street kids of sexual advances since we first raised the red flag with authorities in September 1997. Back then, we went to authorities and they brushed us off. But now, it has reached a point where anyone in the street can see what is happening. Also, the operations using teens and children are much more sophisticated. It s a significant issue, because it s not just prostitution, it s all levels of sexual abuse including incest at home.
Incest is one of the push principles of why girls go to street.
But incest is still a taboo topic. Three years ago, the government set up an emergency phone line. When children call they should first receive emergency counseling over the phone and get a referral to a program like a shelter or counseling service. By law, the government is required to give 7 percent of all tax income go to PANI, but what we have found is that they are not giving 7 but only 4 to 6 percent. The PANI does not have enough funding to fulfill its responsibility.