Some beggars are being forced to do so by others. They have to hand over all or most of their earnings to the person who is forcing them to beg.

People can be beaten, threatened with violence or psychologically pressured into begging. Forced begging is a form of exploitation that can result in human trafficking.

Children can be forced to beg by their parents, siblings, guardians, or by a third party, including criminal gangs, distant relatives, neighbours or family friends.

There are reports of children being kidnapped by gangs and forced to beg. Sometimes children are also forced to take drugs to the point that they develop an addiction.

Children who are forced to beg are often under the age of ten. Infants and young children are often ‘rented’ from their parents or guardians to beg for the day.

Forced child beggars work long hours, suffer physical, mental and verbal abuse and are at very high risk of sexual abuse.

Children are known to be forced to play instruments or perform tricks to entertain or evoke sympathy from passersby.

Passersby generally give beggars with disabilities more money. Often people with skin diseases or physical disabilities, such as missing limbs or visual impairment, are forced to beg.

Globally, it is estimated that traffickers who force disabled children to beg can make up to US$40,000 a year in illegal profits.

Often victims of forced begging are migrants from impoverished areas, who are forced into begging by traffickers.