Street-connected children are children who live, work or spend most of their time in public spaces, including streets, markets, bus terminals, workshops, ports and transport hubs. Many lack stable family care, documentation or access to school and are highly vulnerable to:
Key Message
These children are victims of circumstance not offenders. Police interactions must prioritise protection and dignity.
Police must apply relevant provisions of the following laws:
Federal/Provincial Laws | |
|---|---|
| Law | Relevance to Police Work |
| Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (PPC) | Applies where children are abused, exploited, assaulted, trafficked, confined or forced to beg |
| Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (CrPC) | Governs police powers and investigation procedures |
| Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018 (PTIP) | Applies where organised begging, labour exploitation or movement of children for exploitation is involved |
| Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018 (JJSA) | Applies where a child is alleged to have committed an offence |
| Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011 | Primary law for identifying, referring and protecting children at risk including street-connected children |
| Sindh Children Act, 1955 (limited application) | Provides court-based protection and custody procedures for homeless, destitute or neglected children, and prohibits use of children for begging |
| Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, 2017 | Applies where children are engaged in prohibited or hazardous work |
️⃣Identify whether the child is at risk or being exploited
️⃣Initiate investigation and register an FIR where there is evidence of physical or sexual abuse, kidnapping/trafficking, forced or bonded labour, organised begging networks, assault, confinement or intimidation and sale or purchase of children
️⃣Apply Relevant PPC offences and others
️⃣Referral under Sindh Child Protection Authority Act, 2011
️⃣Apply Sindh Children Act, 1955 only where court custody/welfare proceedings are required
Police must:
✘ Arrest a child for begging or street presence alone
✘ Treat the child as a nuisance or offender
✘ Hand the child back to suspected exploiters
✘ Publicly expose or shame the child
✘ Question the child in hostile surroundings
Key Message
Children involved remain victims — focus investigation on adults. Street-connected children must not be criminalised for survival activities such as sleeping outdoors, selling items or informal work.
✔ Children on the street ≠ criminals
✔ Adults exploiting children = offenders
Police must coordinate with:
| Institution | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sindh Child Protection Authority (SCPA)/ Child Protection Uniit | Case assessment & protection measures |
| Social Welfare Department / Registered Shelters | Safe temporary placement where needed |
| Labour & District Authorities | Child labour / bonded labour referrals |
| Health Facilities | Medical, drug treatment & trauma support |
| Probation | If child is in conflict with the law |
| Civil Society Partners | Outreach & child support services |