Migration
Protecting migrant children from violence and exploitation
The challenge
Children uprooted by conflict and disasters face heightened child protection risks, including violence, abuse, exploitation, trafficking, child labour, harmful practices and family separation. Children travelling alone or separated from their families are particularly vulnerable, often lacking the protective care and support of trusted adults and facing increased risks of exploitation and abuse.
Displacement can also disrupt the systems and services that should protect children, leaving many refugee and migrant children without access to safe and inclusive education, health care, psychosocial support, legal assistance and other essential child protection services. Strengthening child protection systems, preventing family separation, supporting family tracing and reunification, and ensuring that every child can access appropriate care and protection, regardless of their migration status, must therefore be central to responses for children on the move.
The solution
In recent years, significant numbers of migrant and refugee children have arrived in the European Union (EU), many fleeing conflict, persecution, poverty and other forms of insecurity. Regardless of their migration status or circumstances, every child is entitled to the full protection of their rights, with their best interests treated as a primary consideration.
EU and national authorities, civil society and other partners are working to ensure that children on the move are identified and protected, have access to appropriate care and essential services, and benefit from safe, child-sensitive reception and care arrangements. Particular attention is needed for unaccompanied and separated children and others facing heightened risks of violence, exploitation, abuse, trafficking or family separation.
"We saw people getting shot, and we lost cousins and uncles. That's why we left." – Na'ama, 8 years old