Application of Demographic Variables in Measuring the Perception of Child Trafficking in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Syed Rashid Ali, Niaz Muhammad , Mussawar Shah, Abdullah, & Imran

Abstract
Across the globe, although tremendous efforts have been carried out for controlling crimes
and violation of human rights but it is also a fact that the intensity and magnitude of crimes
are increasing with the passage of time. Child trafficking is also one of those social problems
and inhuman acts strengthening its roots all over the world particularly in developing
countries, like Pakistan with alarming consequences for the society in general and for
children in particular. The vulnerability of children to trafficking is due to wide range of
factors associated to it, like false promises and hopes of children employment to the poor
parents (Aronowitz, 2001), high financial benefits for traffickers (Keefer, 2006), poor law
enforcement, and cooperation of law enforcement and politicians with traffickers (Sen,
2003). This study was conducted in district Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan with
sample size of 392 respondents (i.e. 116 university teachers, 173 advocates and 104
journalists) to probe out that how demographic variables such as profession, location, gender
and marital status manipulate their perception of child trafficking. Results of the data
analyses, using independent t-test, showed a statistically significant positive relationship. It
is recommended to devise a thorough and careful awareness raising strategy, provide more
educational facilities and job openings to the masses and laws implementation in the region.

Keywords: Perception, Child trafficking, Profession, Residential location, Gender, Marital Status