A surreal illustration of migrant children navigating a dangerous path, symbolizing their vulnerability and the need for protection.

Invisible Victims: Unveiling the Sexual Abuse Crisis Among Migrant Children in Greece

Nico Varela in Law & Justice August 2025 • 4 min read.

"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?

A surreal illustration of migrant children navigating a dangerous path, symbolizing their vulnerability and the need for protection.

The study identifies several interconnected factors that heighten the vulnerability of unaccompanied migrant children to sexual abuse and exploitation in Greece:

One significant issue is the scarcity of safe and legal routes to desired migration destinations. Many children cannot return home due to oppressive or harmful environments. Daily exposure to unsatisfactory and sometimes inhumane living conditions inside migrant facilities exacerbates the problem, pushing children toward desperate measures.

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.

These factors, combined with gaps in government and non-government responses, create a perfect storm of vulnerability for unaccompanied migrant children. The lack of an integrated child protection system, the failure to recognize migrant children as a unique population with specific needs, and the shortage of trained staff further compound the problem. As one stakeholder explained, 'As long as children walk around alone, without protection, and given the current circumstances, they run the risk of being victimized at any moment.'

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.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.02.040, Alternate LINK

Title: Sexual Abuse And Exploitation Of Unaccompanied Migrant Children In Greece: Identifying Risk Factors And Gaps In Services During The European Migration Crisis

Subject: Sociology and Political Science

Journal: Children and Youth Services Review

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Vasileia Digidiki, Jacqueline Bhabha

Published: 2018-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are the main factors contributing to the vulnerability of unaccompanied migrant children to sexual abuse and exploitation in Greece?

Unaccompanied migrant children in Greece face heightened vulnerability due to a combination of factors. The scarcity of safe and legal migration pathways compels them to rely on smugglers, increasing exploitation risks. Many cannot return home due to oppressive environments, while inhumane living conditions in migrant facilities expose them to violence and abuse. These issues, compounded by gaps in government and non-government responses, create a 'perfect storm' of vulnerability.

How does the lack of safe migration pathways and inhumane living conditions in migrant facilities specifically contribute to the sexual abuse and exploitation of migrant children?

The absence of safe migration pathways forces children to use smugglers and dangerous routes, which significantly increases their risk of sexual exploitation. The inability to return home, often due to conflict or persecution, leaves them stranded and dependent on inadequate systems. Overcrowded and inhumane living conditions in migrant facilities create environments ripe for violence and abuse, further endangering these vulnerable children.

What concrete steps can be taken to address the sexual abuse and exploitation of migrant children in Greece, and why is a shift in perspective important?

Addressing the sexual abuse crisis requires a multi-faceted approach targeting institutional, legislative, and individual risk factors. Prioritizing the legal and institutional architecture of protection for migrant children is crucial, as is adequate funding for effective multi-sector mechanisms. Fundamentally, a shift in perspective is needed to recognize unaccompanied migrant children first and foremost as children entitled to the same rights and protections as any other child, regardless of migration status.

How does the absence of safe migration pathways contribute to the sexual abuse and exploitation of migrant children, and what measures can be taken to address this issue?

The study highlights that the absence of safe migration pathways contributes significantly to sexual abuse and exploitation. When legal and secure routes are unavailable, children are forced to rely on smugglers and other dangerous means, increasing their risk of exploitation. Addressing this involves creating accessible and safe channels for migration, ensuring children don't have to resort to desperate measures.

Besides funding, what systemic changes are required to adequately protect migrant children from sexual abuse and exploitation in Greece?

An integrated child protection system is crucial, recognizing migrant children as a unique population with specific needs. There is a shortage of trained staff to deal with the specific challenges migrant children face. Prioritizing the legal and institutional architecture of protection and social provision available to migrant children is paramount. Adequate funding for well-designed and effective multi-sector mechanisms is important.