»Izginil je, nihče se ni spraševal, kam.«

Pogorelčnik, Patricija (author), Videmšek, Petra (mentor), Debelak, Urška (comentor)

V diplomskem delu sem se odločila raziskati, kako pristojne institucije v Sloveniji identificirajo in zaščitijo otroke brez spremstva kot žrtve trgovine z ljudmi. Otroke brez spremstva opredeljujemo kot mladoletnike, ki so brez staršev ali zakonitega skrbnika in se nahajajo izven svoje matične države. Gre za izjemno ranljivo skupino, ki je pogosto izpostavljena izkoriščanju, med drugim tudi trgovini z ljudmi. V teoretičnem delu sem predstavila opredelitev otrok brez spremstva, dejavnike njihove ranljivosti ter pravni okvir za njihovo zaščito na mednarodni, evropski in slovenski ravni. Posebno pozornost sem namenila obsegu in oblikam trgovine z ljudmi, identifikaciji otrok kot žrtev ter vlogi pristojnih institucij: centrov za socialno delo, nastanitvenega centra, policije ter nevladnih organizacij. Izpostavila sem tudi pomen medinstitucionalnega sodelovanja ter izzive, ki se pojavljajo pri zaščiti teh otrok. Raziskava je kvalitativna in empirična. Izvedla sem intervjuje z osmimi strokovnjaki iz različnih institucij, ki se pri svojem delu srečujejo z otroki brez spremstva (socialne delavke, pravnica, kriminalist ter drugi predstavniki nevladnih organizacij). Raziskava je bila usmerjena v razumevanje postopkov identifikacije otrok brez spremstva kot žrtev trgovine z ljudmi, izkušenj strokovnjakov s terena ter njihovih pogledov na sistemske izzive in pomanjkljivosti. Posebej me je zanimal pomen sodelovanja med institucijami ter vpliv zakonodaje na uspešnost zaščite teh otrok. Rezultati raziskave kažejo, da se otroci brez spremstva pogosto ne prepoznajo pravočasno kot morebitne žrtve trgovine z ljudmi, kar dodatno povečuje njihovo ranljivost. Sogovorniki so izpostavili potrebo po večji usposobljenosti strokovnih delavcev, boljšem sodelovanju med institucijami ter hitrejših in bolj celostnih zaščitnih ukrepih. Ugotovitve raziskave poudarjajo pomen senzibilizacije strokovne javnosti, razvoja jasnih postopkov identifikacije in krepitve medinstitucionalnega sodelovanja, da bi se izboljšala zaščita otrok brez spremstva.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: otroci brez spremstva, trgovina z ljudmi, identifikacija, zaščita otrok, pristojne institucije, socialno delo, medinstitucionalno sodelovanje
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Organization: FSD - Faculty of Social Work
• Year: 2025
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-172050
• Publication date in RUL: 05.09.2025

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: »Disappeared, and no one questioned where«

Abstract

In my thesis, I explored how relevant institutions in Slovenia identify and protect unaccompanied children as victims of human trafficking. Unaccompanied children are minors who are outside their country of origin without the presence of parents or a legal guardian. They represent an extremely vulnerable group, often exposed to various forms of exploitation, including human trafficking. The theoretical part includes a definition of unaccompanied children, an overview of the factors contributing to their vulnerability, and the legal framework for their protection at the international, European, and Slovenian levels. Special attention is given to the scope and forms of human trafficking, procedures for identifying children as victims, and the roles of relevant institutions such as social work centres, accommodation centres, police, and non-governmental organisations. The importance of inter-institutional cooperation and challenges in protecting these children is also addressed. The research is qualitative and empirical. I conducted interviews with eight professionals from different institutions who work with unaccompanied children (social workers, a lawyer, a criminal investigator, and NGO representatives). The research focused on understanding the procedures of identifying unaccompanied minors as victims of trafficking, the experiences of frontline professionals, and their perspectives on systemic challenges and shortcomings. I was particularly interested in the role of cooperation between institutions and the influence of legislation on the effectiveness of child protection. The findings indicate that unaccompanied children are often not recognised in time as potential victims of trafficking, which further increases their vulnerability. Interviewees emphasised the need for better training of professionals, improved inter-agency cooperation, and faster, more comprehensive protection measures. The research highlights the importance of raising professional awareness, developing clear identification procedures, and strengthening inter-institutional collaboration to enhance the protection of unaccompanied children.

• Keywords: unaccompanied children, human trafficking, identification, child protection, competent institutions, social work, inter-institutional cooperation