Protection of missing children

In a small town in Serbia, a group of adolescent girls living in a residential care facility began to show subtle but concerning changes.

These girls had already faced difficult beginnings—growing up without stable family support, experiencing neglect, and longing for a sense of belonging and acceptance. Like many children in alternative care, they were especially vulnerable to manipulation and false promises of affection.

During the summer, unknown young men started gathering near the facility. What initially seemed like casual encounters soon developed into something far more concerning.

By early autumn, staff noticed that several girls were leaving the facility without permission and returning after hours—or even days—appearing withdrawn, anxious, and physically neglected. One girl required medical treatment. Others were later seen begging in the city.

It became clear that the girls had been spending time with a group of adults living nearby. The relationships were presented as “romantic,” but behavioral patterns pointed to grooming—in which attention, affection, and validation are used to gain trust and control.

Despite the risks, the girls initially insisted they were acting voluntarily. This is common in such cases. Emotional manipulation often makes it difficult for children to recognize exploitation, especially when their need for connection is being used against them.

Everything began to shift when a coordinated response was initiated.

ASTRA’s outreach team, together with the Centre for the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking and local professionals, engaged directly with the girls and the facility staff. Through careful, trauma-informed conversations, trust slowly began to build.

One moment stood out: during a conversation, a girl received a phone call from one of the men. Her visible fear and anxiety helped professionals recognize the level of control these individuals had over her and others.

This became a turning point.

A coordinated protection plan was put in place:

• The girls received immediate psychosocial support in a safe environment
• Their movements were more closely monitored to prevent further contact with exploiters
• Health services were ensured, including support for one girl who was pregnant
• Professionals worked intensively to help the girls understand manipulation, boundaries, and their rights
• Authorities conducted field visits and began investigating the suspected location and individuals involved

Most importantly, the girls were no longer left to navigate this situation alone.

Over time, small but meaningful changes became visible. The girls began to open up, support each other rather than compete for attention, and re-engage in daily routines such as school and structured activities. With continued support, they began rebuilding trust—in adults and in themselves.

While recovery is a long process, this case shows that timely, coordinated action can interrupt cycles of exploitation and create real opportunities for safety and healing.

ASTRA recently published a new analysis that sheds light on how digital technologies are increasingly used to recruit, control, and exploit victims of human trafficking.

This report draws on 925 records from the ASTRA SOS Hotline for Victims of Human Trafficking and the European Number for Missing Children in Serbia 116000, covering the period from January 2020 to mid-2025. From this material, 123 cases involving adults and children were analyzed, with a special focus on 23 cases of missing girls who were later identified as victims of exploitation and trafficking.

The analysis revealed a troubling pattern: in all 23 cases involving missing children, digital technologies played a role. Social networks and messaging apps were used at every stage—first contact, grooming, exploitation, intimidation, and re-exploitation. Most of the girls were between 10 and 17 years old, often coming from unstable family or social environments and having been exposed to prior violence, bullying or neglect. Online, perpetrators identified and exploited these vulnerabilities, targeting their needs for belonging, safety, affection, or support.

The personal experiences of young people bring this pattern into sharp focus. One 16-year-old girl, who herself has been a victim of multiple forms of exploitation, reached out to the hotline about a missing friend, highlighting how digital connections can both put children at risk and facilitate urgent help. She explained:

“I know that you also operate a hotline for missing children, and that is exactly why I decided to reach out. My friend has been missing for about ten days – I met her through Instagram. She is very young; she hasn’t even finished elementary school yet. Her parents are desperately looking for her. I believe I know where she is; I suspect she is with a man much older than her, and they met through a social media platform. I know his real identity, and I am very worried about her.”

The research shows that online communication was the key recruitment tool, used to establish or maintain contact in every case. Grooming typically began with attention, compliments, and emotional support, gradually evolving into manipulation, control, and exploitation. In the majority of cases, exploitation was sexual, sometimes combined with forced criminal activity, labor exploitation, or forced marriage. Digital tools were frequently used for surveillance, threats, blackmail, and control over victims’ movements and communication.

At the same time, digital channels enabled access to support in seven cases, allowing girls or their families to send messages, share locations, or provide evidence that led to rapid intervention by authorities. These moments underscore that technology itself is not the enemy—how it is used makes all the difference.

The report also highlights serious gaps in institutional responses. Although multiple institutions often had information about a child’s disappearance, the digital dimension of risk was formally recognized in only 27% of cases, delaying protection and justice.

By supporting the European Number for Missing Children in Serbia (116000), your commitment contributes to positive change and strengthens prevention and protection efforts.