The exploitation of children as soldiers

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Press contact: Laura Blank | 708.872.5265 (c) Expert Source: Jesse Eaves

Press releases 10/02/2012 Statement by World Vision on White House announcement about Child Soldiers Prevention Act 07/24/2012 ‘Worrying signs’ children are fleeing DRC to avoid forced recruitment by armed groups, says World Vision 06/27/2012 Myanmar takes significant step to keep children out of the armed forces 10/05/2011 11/08/2010 Statement by World Vision on White House announcement about Child Soldiers Prevention Act NGO's open letter to White House on child soldier waivers

Resources for Reporters: Joint NGO letter to White House Interview expert Jesse Eaves Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 Our advocacy against child soldiers Child soldier congressional testimony	In the News: 10/29/2010 U.S. continues aid to nations that used child soldiers 10/29/2010 Obama waives sanctions for four countries that use child soldiers 10/27/2010 Obama waiver allows U.S. aid to 4 countries using child soldiers

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World Vision's child soldiers PSA

Where it occurs The most vulnerable children Driving factors Traumatic experiences Physical, psychosocial problems Long-term effects

Around the world, an estimated 250,000 children—some as young as 7—are involved in armed conflicts. Children are exploited in state-run armies, paramilitaries, and rebel groups.

Coerced, enticed or abducted, these children serve as combatants, porters, spies, human mine detectors and sex slaves; their health and lives are endangered and their childhoods are sacrificed. In recent decades, experts estimate that more than 2 million children have been killed in armed conflicts; an estimated 6 million have been seriously injured or permanently disabled.

Where it occurs

In Africa, an estimated 100,000 children were involved in armed conflicts in 2004. Children also serve as soldiers in parts of Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, including an estimated 14,000 children fighting with illegal militias in Colombia.

The U.S. government provides military assistance to four of six governments implicated in child soldier usage: (Indicated with *)

• Burma
• Chad*
• Democratic Republic of Congo*
• Somalia
• Sudan*
• Yemen*

U.S. military assistance to these countries ranges from small amounts of funding for military training to hundreds of millions in weapons, training, and military financing.

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Children most vulnerable to conscription into military service include those who:

• Live in or near conflict zones
• Live alone or separated from their parent or caregiver
• Live on the streets
• Are from minority groups
• Are isolated or have limited social skills

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The following factors drive continued child soldier conscription:

• Abduction and enticement by armed groups
• Government complicity
• Abundance of small arms and light weapons
• Absence of work and education opportunities

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Children affected by war can experience the following and other traumatic events:

• Witnessing violent death or torture of a parent or close relative
• Separation from family
• Forced participation in violent acts

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Traumatic war-related experiences can lead to the following physical and psychosocial problems:

• General poor health (malnutrition and infectious diseases, including HIV)
• Physical abuse or deprivation
• Drug addiction
• Sexual abuse, exploitation and unwanted pregnancy
• Serious psychological and social problems
• Serious war injuries or death

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Psychological research shows that children associated with armed groups often face the following:

• Uncertain futures and a loss of hope
• Rejection by families and communities
• Loss of identity outside the armed group
• Loss of childhood