What Future?
Street Children in the Democratic Republic of Congo

I. Summary

II. Recommendations

Recommendations for the pre-election period
Recommendations for the post-election period

III. Methods

IV. Background

V. Abuses Against Street Children

Police and Military Abuse

Physical abuse
Extortion
Sexual abuse of girls
Police misuse of street children
Arbitrary arrests and roundups
Special Protection Unit of the police

Child Labor
Physical Abuse by Adults and Older Street Children
Sexual Abuse of Street Girls
Sexual Abuse of Street Boys
Street Children Used for Political Purposes

VI. Factors Pushing Children into the Streets

Violence in the Home
Children Accused of Sorcery

Abuses in the home related to sorcery accusations
Abuses in churches
After the accusations

HIV/AIDS
Education

VII. International Standards

Overview
Rights of Children to Protection from Abuse, including children in custody,
or otherwise deprived of their liberty
Protection from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
Arbitrary Arrest and Detention
Education

Acknowledgments

Appendix

April 2006   Volume 18, No. 2(A)