Poster #8 - Lost in the System: Institutional Failures in Assisting Trafficked Unaccompanied Foreign Minors in Spain

• In Event: Poster Session I (posters 1 - 79)

Abstract

Minor victims of human trafficking are highly susceptible to disruptions in their healthy development toward adulthood. Unaccompanied foreign minors face heightened vulnerability due to their status as minors, the absence of parental or legal guardianship, and their condition as non-nationals. In this context, the role of professionals is vital for ensuring early detection and providing specialized assistance these victims require. This study aims to identify the obstacles encountered by child protection professionals during the detection and assistance phases in order to provide evidence-based proposals for systemic improvement. The study involved 15 professionals from public and third-sector organizations in Catalonia, Spain. All participants possessed at least 10 years of experience in victim support. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, which were subsequently transcribed and analyzed using thematic coding. Findings indicate that professionals encounter significant structural and procedural barriers to providing effective care. Challenges identified in both the detection and assistance phases tend to persist throughout the entire recovery process if they are not adequately addressed at the outset.

Authors

• Ruben Espuny, University of Lleida

• Carolina Villacampa, University of Lleida