The study showed that one of the principal causes is psychological abuse. Other causes which the children manifest to a lesser degree are the economic conditions, being orphaned or being pregnant. Only less than one-tenth chose a life in the street for want of excitement or adventure. There they sleep, making their beds in the streets, parks or a passage-way. To survive, however, they beg and rob.
Many children prostitute themselves to survive.
Only a few work sporadically, washing plates, cleaning cars or singing in buses. In addition, the solidarity of the group helps the child to get food. We look after one another in our group. The peace process and the efforts of Casa Alianza to inform on an international level about the atrocities committed against the street children has meant that the repression of the state security forces has been diminished considerably. Nowadays the assassinators of the street kids are private security forces, ex policemen and ex military.