Montenegro opens Shelter for Victims of Child and Youth Trafficking after 16 years

Ensuring the safety of every individual, especially children and youth, is at the forefront of every endeavor towards a better society and a brighter future, stated Prime Minister Milojko Spajić on the occasion of the opening of the Shelter for Victims of Child and Youth Trafficking.

The obligation of the state is to fervently combat all forms of crime, unfortunately marking numerous childhoods, emphasised Prime Minister Spajić.

The licensing of the Shelter is a significant indicator that Montenegro does not turn a blind eye to any problem, and it is crucial that this was one of the priorities of Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Naida Nišić and her team.

The fact that we are opening the Shelter as a reaction measure to the consequence also suggests that our efforts in eradicating the causes must be stronger. Understanding that this is not just a local challenge but an issue burdening even larger, more developed societies than ours, said the Prime Minister, adding:

It is understandable that in a global world, Montenegro cannot solve this issue alone but can be part of the solution. Our country must strengthen its institutions, create adequate legislative frameworks, adopt best practices, and intensify international cooperation to combat human trafficking as one of the most severe manifestations of organised crime. Therefore, today's event is just the first in a series of activities we will undertake in this regard.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has done a great job in this project, demonstrating the desire to effectively address all open issues and to recognise problems and provide answers.

Maximum security and protection must be ensured through specialized services for all victims of human trafficking, said Minister Nišić.

In this regard, the opening of the shelter is an important step in creating an environment that will help the most vulnerable, those whose childhoods are abruptly interrupted in the cruelest manner.

Minister Nišić emphasised that human trafficking, particularly of children, is a global issue that impacts all nations, irrespective of their social, political, or economic status. She highlighted its intricate and dynamic nature, often concealed from plain sight. Nišić stressed the urgent need for collaborative efforts to combat this social problem, defend victims, and condemn the perpetrators. She underscored the importance of providing rehabilitation for victims and ensuring justice prevails for the criminals involved.

The construction of the Shelter was funded by the Government of Montenegro with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro. The facility covers an area of 200 m2 and can accommodate ten people. One room is adapted for persons with disabilities.