Academic-Field Operations Collaboration: A Case Study of Children Working in Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSEC) from Kathmandub

Background and Purpose

Exploitative child labour is a serious concern in Nepal, particularly for children working in commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC) given the grave risks they face to their safety, development and wellbeing.  Despite these concerns there has been an absence of rigorous research to inform an accurate assessment of the prevalence of children subject to CSEC in the Kathmandu, and the exact number of children involved in CSEC is unknown.  International nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) play an important role in providing and shaping service development for vulnerable population groups in developing countries, especially ones that have weak state institutions and poor functioning. This paper presents material from a pilot study conducted in 2014 using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) as a method for collecting reliable information to estimate prevalence of CSEC among girls and boys aged 12-18 in Kathmandu. The results and the process of the research collaboration are used to illustrate the feasibility and importance of developing multi-sectoral collaborations to address critical issues among vulnerable child populations.

Methods

A consulting research team worked closely with local office of one INGO and domestic NGO implementing partners to conduct the pilot study, interviewing 94 boys and 133 girls during a two-month period in three districts of Kathmandu, known to be areas where CSEC has occurred. The primary research method was Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS). The process included study planning with the consulting team working closely with the INGO and domestic NGO partners to finalise the design and train the local staff to conduct the research protocol. The data was then analysed using SPSS and RDSAT software.

Findings

The study data suggests a disturbing picture of high-risk commercial sexual exploitation, with potentially serious health consequences. The  results,  however,  preliminary  due  to  small  sample  size  and  coverage,  suggest  a disturbing  picture  of  high  risk  commercial  sexual  exploitation,  particularly  amongst  girls  aged  17  to 18 years old with ¾ of them reporting current/historical CSEC as a part of  regular work  activities.  Sexual acts included high-risk activities with potentially serious  health consequences. The oldest boys, age 18, also reported concerning levels of CSEC.

Conclusion and Implications

A number of key lessons to inform academic-field research collaboration emerged from the pilot study. First,  RDS  method  is  a  strong design  capable  of producing  good  prevalence  estimates,  and  a  subsequent  study  which  takes  into  account  the  key lessons learned is likely to contribute reliable estimates of the prevalence of CSEC. This paper illustrates the relationship between research and service provision for one of the most vulnerable population groups in Nepal, and points out the lack of systematized data collection method at present as well as the feasibility of producing reliable estimates to guide effective intervention strategies. Building sustainable collaborative relationships between local practitioners, INGOs and academics or researchers is crucial in supporting capacity building to effectively plan, monitor and report on social development projects.