Child prostitution in Zimbabwe and the tragedy of the ‘victim by choice’ tag: another view.

Abstract

Child prostitution is one of the most sinister and horrific acts that children may endure. It presents serious violations of human and child rights on children who are among the most vulnerable and impressionable in society.2 According to the Preamble of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children (hereafter referred to as the ACRWC), the child, due to needs of his/her physical, mental and moral development requires particular care with regard to health, physical,mental, moral and social development and requires legal protection in conditions of freedom, dignity and security.3This emphasizes the vulnerability of children and their need for adult protection at the highest level. Sadly, the world over,adults are abusing and violating children’s rights from all angles in the practice of child prostitution and in so doing, according to Hesselink-Louw, Bezuidenhout & Boniface, destroying the lives of thousands of children