Poly-Victimisation and Health Risk Behaviors amongst Street Children in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper explores how poly-victimisation affects health and influences street children's behavior in Harare Metropolitan Province in Zimbabwe. There are many studies on street children in Zimbabwe, but little is known about how multiple forms of violence affect their physical and mental health. The study has problematized poly-victimisation from the theoretical lens of psychoanalytic theory, as the traumatic events experienced by street children can have a negative impact on their physical and mental health. A survey in the form of a questionnaire was used to gather data from 202 street children between the ages of 6-18 years who were purposively selected for this study. The findings indicated that most street children are experiencing physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse. This drives them to indulge in substance use, alcohol consumption, suicide idealism, and risky sexual activities. Recommendations for this study have been derived from the findings that seek to improve social work policy in Zimbabwe.