[Haiti] 30% of Gang Members Are Children—Child Sexual Violence Increases by 1,000%

“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.”

Haiti’s children are facing a severe crisis. Thirty percent of gang members in the country are children, and child sexual violence has increased by 1,000%. According to UNICEF, children are estimated to make up between 30% and 50% of gang members in Haiti. Most of them are between 12 and 17 years old, serving as scouts, couriers, and frontline fighters.

In the past year alone, the recruitment of children into armed groups has risen by 70%. Nearly half of the members of these armed groups are now children, some as young as eight years old. Many children are joining gangs because Haiti’s economic collapse has left families struggling to meet even their basic needs.

According to Mission Network News, Haitian Christian leader Dierf, who works with the international Christian broadcasting organization Trans World Radio (TWR), said, “Most people here do not have enough to eat. They have no way to obtain food. Some children choose to join gangs so they can provide for their families.”

Over the past four years, since the assassination of Haiti’s president, gangs have taken control, and more than 500,000 children have been displaced. In 2023 alone, at least 128 children were killed in gang conflicts. Since the beginning of 2024, more than 5,600 people have already lost their lives due to gang violence. In addition, cases of child sexual violence have increased by 1,000% since 2023.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stated, “This tenfold increase shows that armed groups are committing unimaginable atrocities against children.” As the government’s control continues to weaken, Haiti has effectively become a lawless state, with law and order collapsing.

Currently, more than 1.2 million children are living under the threat of armed violence, and over 500,000 have lost their homes, according to UNICEF. Essential public services have nearly collapsed—hospitals are overwhelmed, and more than half of medical facilities lack the equipment and medicine necessary for emergency treatment of children. Schools have also shut down, leaving more than 300,000 children without access to education.

Even in this extreme turmoil, Christian organizations continue to share the Gospel and bring hope to the people of Haiti. Dierf said, “Despite everything happening in Haiti, we as Christians believe that we must be the light of Christ. Those who are trapped under the power of darkness need us. We must go to them and share the message of hope.”(Source: Prayer24365 Edited)

and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.(Colossians 1:12-14,NIV)

God, we see the devastating impact that armed groups have had on Haiti’s society, placing children in grave danger. Rebuke the gangs that exploit and destroy young lives for their own power and desires, and rule with Your justice. Strengthen the Church and Christian organizations in Haiti so they may care for the families who, in their poverty, consider sending their children into these gangs. May Your saving grace comfort the children suffering from violence. Lead the people of Haiti to Christ, who has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. Lord, restore this land.

Prayer 24·365
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