Most of the Romanian children and young people living on the streets say there were beaten, over 60 percent say they smoke, while 41 percent of those aged between 14 and 18 drink alcohol, according to a study conducted by Save the Children Foundation, quoted by local Mediafax.

“About 36 percent say they have been in both situations, namely to be physically abused by both an unknown person, and by someone they knew,” reads the study.

Over 60 percent of persons temporarily on the street say they have been at least once the victim of a physical abuse on the street. In terms of serious and very serious physical abuse, 27 percent of those permanently living on the streets say that, at least once, they were beaten so badly that they had to go to a hospital.

The 14-18 age category seems to be most exposed to sexual abuse, both in terms of sexual relations against that person’s will, but also when it comes to being forced to work as prostitutes, or being offered money in exchange for sex.

In most cases, girls living on the streets are victims of different forms of sexual abuse.

The study also reveals that smoking is a common thing among children and young people living on the streets. Over 60 percent of the total say they smoke, reports Mediafax. Thus, 26 percent of children aged between 8 and 13 state that they smoke, the percentage going up to 70 percent for the 14-18 age category.

Also, over 40 percent of those aged between 14 and 18 drink alcohol.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com