South Sudan’s civil war has resulted in an increase of child sex workers, according to a new report by Al Jazeera.

The report documented the experiences of street children in Juba, many of whom are separated from their families, who have turned to prostitution to support themselves.

"I have nobody in Juba, so I ended up here at the lodge [brothel] to make a little bit of money," said a 14-year-old girl "Mary" whose father died.

Young girls in the sex industry are at high risk of human trafficking and diseases including HIV.

Without access to free condoms, Mary tested positive for HIV, though she dismissed the result.  "I don't want to go back for treatment. I don't believe them, I don't feel sick,” she told Al Jazeera.

Some of the sex workers interviewed said young girls often do not know how to properly use condoms or cannot convince men to use them. 

According to one sex worker, many South Sudanese falsely believe that condoms actually cause the spread of disease, even though they actually help prevent transmission of diseases such as HIV.

Physical abuse and pain is also a serious risk for children caught in the sex trade.

"I cannot take more than 3 men per day … even then I must sometimes rest for a few days," another 14-year-old who works in Serikat market told Al Jazeera.

Prostitution is illegal in South Sudan.  Brothel owners can go to jail for up to two years.  People harboring children under 18 for illegal sexual activity can be impisoned for 7 to 12 years, the report said.

But one sex worker who remained anonymous said police officers may take advantage of sex workers or arrest them for carrying condoms.

"They come with force, in uniforms and use the ladies," she said.  "If they find a condom in the house, you get arrested, taken to the police […] and charged with 500 pounds ($125).”

A police official said he had not heard reports of such activities.

Read the full report here.

Photo: Konyo Konyo market in Juba, South Sudan, February 2013 (Jon Brown)