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The data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with unaccompanied and separated children in Serbia, focusing on the organization of the journey, key supporters and facilitators – “the network”, as well as on gaining an insight into different strategies employed by children during their journey. The study aimed to explore the conditions in which informal practices take place, as well as their general influence on the position of refugee and migrant children, and to promote a better understanding of childrens’ needs and make possible an evidence-based recommendation for improving their position through future programming and advocacy interventions.

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Children, including thousands of unaccompanied and separated children, comprise about one-third of all refugees and migrants arriving in Europe. Many of these children come through the Balkans, travelling through countries including Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These are seen as transit countries by refugees and migrants as they try to continue their way toward Western Europe.

In this report, Save the Children and the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Sarajevo present in-depth research into the level and types of violence that children experience while attempting to reach Western Europe via the Balkans route, the circumstances of that violence, and the policies and practices that exist to support children. They also make recommendations for governments, NGOs and other stakeholders to strengthen the protection and support available to these children.

Every child who participated in this research recounted being subjected to physical, psychological, sexual or other types of violence, directly or indirectly. This violence occurred in their country of origin, during their journey, when crossing borders, in reception, asylum and detention centres, in squats, in the street and in the workplace.