This study aims to translate lessons learned from the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on the identification and protection of UASC and their risks of trafficking into practical guidance for both ongoing operations and future crises involving large-scale displacement of children. This paper is guided by three central research questions:
- To what extent have existing protection, prevention, and response systems effectively addressed the risks of trafficking and exploitation among UASC displaced from Ukraine?
- What are the specific (intersectional) vulnerabilities of UASC from Ukraine to trafficking?
- What promising practices have emerged since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine to address the identification and protection of UASC?
To address these questions, the study adopts a mixed-methods approach. The first research question is examined through a structured review of existing literature, including reports from international organisations, academic studies, governmental bodies, and civil society actors. The second and third research questions are addressed through qualitative
data collection, including consultations with national experts, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups with practitioners engaged in child protection and counter-trafficking efforts. The research focuses geographically on Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, countries that have served as primary transit and destination points for displaced children from Ukraine.
In doing so, the study hopes to provide an overview of the current state of play regarding the situation of UASC from Ukraine, as well as a baseline for recommendations for future mass displacement crises.
Kids in Need of Defense in Europe & eLiberare
