The Causes and Consequences of Child Commercial Sex Work in Arba Minich City, South Ethiopia

Abstract

The general objective of this study was assessing the causes and consequence of commercial sex worker in Arab Minch city, South Ethiopia .Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to analyze and interpret the data. Due to the hidden nature of the problem, it is difficult to know about the exact number of total victims or the target population so that the snow boll sampling technique was employed to determine the sample size. Hence, 30 victim respondents' for quantitative data (questionnaire) and purposely-selected 6 respondents for semi-structural interview were involved in the study. To analyze the quantitative data sample distractive analytical technique (frequency and percentage) was used, while qualitative data (summarization and narration) was used to triangulate with quantitative data. The major finding of this study revealed that peers-pressure, seeking better life in urban area, seeking job opportunity in urban area, Poverty, lake of employment Opportunity, Lack of information , & family conflict or divorce were the major suggested causes that forced children to involve in commercial sex work. This study also identified negative consequence (i.e. victimization in the street, health problem, social isolation and anxiety and depression.) on the children. Moreover, abuse (i.e. physical, sexual and psychological abuse) as the major adverse effect of child commercial sex workers. Enhancing Education, job opportunities and awareness are critical mechanisms to handle child commercial sex work. Based on these findings, the study is recommended a collaborative action of all stakeholders should encourage through creating awareness to the family, the community and society. Mobilizing public participation also, a means to tackle the problem at it grass root level.