Invisible Victims: Unveiling the Sexual Abuse Crisis Among Migrant Children in Greece
"A deep dive into the risk factors and systemic failures endangering unaccompanied youth during the European migration crisis, and how we can protect them."
Despite advancements in human rights, humanitarian crises continue to endanger children, exposing them to extreme risks of physical, sexual, and psychological harm. The ongoing mass displacement of millions seeking refuge in Europe has brought the issue of child sexual exploitation into sharp focus, particularly in Greece, a primary entry point for migrants.
A 2016 study conducted in Greece, during a period marked by inadequate responses to the migration crisis, reveals a dire child protection situation. The study highlights institutional, legislative, and individual factors that contribute to the sexual abuse and exploitation of unaccompanied migrant children. The absence of safe migration pathways, oppressive home environments, and inhumane living conditions in migrant facilities drive children toward exploitation.
This analysis aims to shed light on this crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted policies and interventions. By considering migrant children first and foremost as children, and by addressing the factors that lead to their abuse and exploitation, we can work towards creating safer environments and futures for these vulnerable individuals.
Why Are Migrant Children in Greece Uniquely Vulnerable?
The study identifies several interconnected factors that heighten the vulnerability of unaccompanied migrant children to sexual abuse and exploitation in Greece:
- Lack of Safe Migration Pathways: The absence of legal and secure routes forces children to rely on smugglers and other dangerous means, increasing their risk of exploitation.
- Inability to Return Home: Many children cannot go back to their countries of origin due to conflict, persecution, or lack of safety.
- Inhumane Living Conditions: Overcrowded and inadequate migrant facilities expose children to violence, abuse, and exploitation.
Turning the Tide: Concrete Steps Towards Protection
Addressing the sexual abuse and exploitation of migrant children requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles institutional, legislative, and individual risk factors. Providing adequate funding for well-designed and effective multi-sector mechanisms is paramount, as is prioritizing the legal and institutional architecture of protection and social provision available to migrant children. Ultimately, unaccompanied migrant children must be seen first and foremost as children, entitled to the same rights and protections as any other child, regardless of their migration status. This shift in perspective is crucial for reshaping responses and preventing future abuse and exploitation.