“In 2025, Slovakia identified 63 victims of human trafficking, and the police investigated 37 criminal cases — twice as many as the previous year. These numbers mean that victims are being better identified. But also that criminals have become more active,” reports the Ministry of the Interior of the SR (Slovak Republic) in a statement for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This year it fell on July 30.
For Ukrainians in Slovakia, this statistic is not abstract. Almost a quarter of all victims identified last year were foreigners. Among their countries of origin, the ministry directly names Ukraine, Brazil, and Nepal. Women and children from Ukraine who found themselves in a difficult situation here — without language, money, or acquaintances — are among the highest risk groups, the ministry emphasizes.
Slovakia stopped being just a “transit” country
The picture has changed drastically. Slovaks were once most often exploited abroad, and Slovakia was mainly a country of origin for victims. In 2025, already 97% of victims were exploited directly on the country’s territory. A year ago, this figure was 72%, when 43 victims were identified.
Vulnerable groups, according to the ministry, are Ukrainian displaced persons (primarily women and children), labor migrants from Southeast Asia and the Balkans, members of the Roma community, and children in institutional care. Adult women most often suffer from sexual exploitation, men are forced into forced labor.
More than 40% of victims are children
The most alarming part of the report concerns children. In 2025, 27 child victims aged 4 to 17 were identified — this is 43% of all cases:
18 children suffered sexual exploitation;
7 children were forced to beg;
cases of labor exploitation and forced marriages were also recorded.
In 2024, the most victims were identified in the Prešov Region — 14 people, of whom 11 were children aged 6 to 17, mostly girls. The ministry urges parents to be especially vigilant in summer when children spend more time outside the home and on the internet.
Punishment for criminals is often symbolic
The weak point of the system is the courts. According to the US Embassy report on human trafficking, in 2024, 85% of those convicted of this crime (17 out of 20) received fully suspended sentences and did not end up behind bars. For comparison: in 2023, it was 56%. Experts from the Council of Europe (GRETA) recognized Slovakia’s progress in their report but called for better protection of vulnerable children and more active identification of victims of labor exploitation.
The government responded with the National Program to Combat Human Trafficking for 2024–2028. It aims at early identification of victims, access to assistance, and improving the criminal process. So far, judging by the numbers, the system is catching up with the problem rather than getting ahead of it.
How not to fall into the trap and where to turn
The typical scenario starts with a “leading offer”: work abroad without knowing the language with a high salary, an offer of housing in exchange for “small services,” acquaintance on social networks. Red flags — promises without a contract, demand to hand over documents, prohibition to communicate with family, “debt” that must be worked off.
If you or someone nearby is in a suspicious situation:
Call the free Národnú linku pomoci obetiam obchodovania s ľuďmi (national helpline for victims of trafficking) — 0800 800 818, available on weekdays from 8:00 to 20:00.
If there is a threat to life or health — immediately call 158 (police) or 112 (the single emergency number).
Do not stay silent if you notice something strange with neighbors, colleagues, or acquaintances — according to the ministry, anyone in your environment can become a victim.
We have collected all important emergency phone numbers in Slovakia in a separate contact directory. Save it so you don’t have to search for numbers online in a critical moment.
