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In the context of the main goal of its work, lobbying and advocacy for protection of Albanian children from all forms of abuse, the Coalition Together Against Trafficking has a specific objective of child empowerment, by identifying and addressing issues related to their protection, through empowerment, advocacy and child-led activities. With this regard, this study aims to identify and make evident the perceptions of children on their safety from violence and abuse in their everyday life and exploring sources of safety and unsafety in family, school and community. The results of the study will feed the orientation of future policies of the child protection system in the country. The study uses a qualitative methodology which consists of interviews and focus group discussions with 58 children, from 10-18 years old. The sample includes children in non-vulnerable situations, those in residential institutions, children out of residential care and those in conflict with the law, in Tirana, Bathore and Elbasan. The main findings of this study show that children of all targeted group are exposed to various forms of violence and abuse, such as neglect, physical and psychological violence, sexual harassment, peer violence, exploitation and the risk of trafficking. They identify several sources of unsafety in the family, community and peer context, but also several sources of safety in all these contexts, which they feel free to turn to in difficult or risky situations. The most known safety sources include firstly parents/caregivers, then teachers and peers, police workers, the non-governmental organisation they are in contact with etc.
Keywords: children, safety from violence, safety sources, unsafety sources, child protection
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