Who

What kinds of people contribute to the problem?

Militant Groups

Militant groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Iraq and Syria), the Free Syrian Army (Syria), the Revolutionary United Front (Sierra Leone), and Boko Haram (Nigeria) all use or have used children for the purpose of war. Moreover, these groups have orphaned, kidnapped, and raped hundreds of thousands of children, leaving them helpless and alone.

Drug Cartels

Militants often use drugs to pacify child soldiers or to ensure their dependency on the group. Marijuana and a stimulant called khat are two drugs that child soldiers commonly become addicted to. An estimated 95% of child soldiers are exposed to drugs, and substance abuse is a huge obstacle to reintegration.

Governments

In addition to recruiting child soldiers, many governments do not recognize the fact that child soldiers are brainwashed or forcibly coerced into committing horrendous crimes, and arrest and sentence them without a fair trial. Governments also fail to provide these children with health care, education, and shelter.

Human Traffickers

Kidnappings occur reguarly in war-torn regions, whether at home, school, or a refugee camp. Abductions frequently occur after towns are pillaged and burned to the ground. Children are then sold into slavery or the sex trade.