VIENNA/BRATISLAVA – Slovak prosecutors have emerged as international experts in combating child marriages, a form of human trafficking that continues to affect vulnerable children across Europe. Their expertise was highlighted during the 25th Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Conference organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, which drew participants from 57 countries.
The Slovak General Prosecutor’s Office announced via its official website that its representatives had presented successful practices and legal approaches to foreign counterparts at the high-level event focused on “Protecting Childhood, Shaping the Future: A Call to End Child Trafficking.”
“One of the major challenges is recognizing children forced into marriages as victims of trafficking, especially when their own parents are the perpetrators,” said Zuzana Király, prosecutor at the General Prosecutor’s Office of Slovakia.
According to Király, child victims must be interviewed with both procedural and psychological sensitivity, ensuring their testimonies are collected correctly the first time to avoid retraumatization during repeated hearings.
Child Marriage as Human Trafficking
Slovakia has adopted a proactive stance on identifying child marriages as a criminal act of child trafficking, which can result in lifelong psychological trauma for victims. Prosecutors emphasize that these cases often rely on the testimonies of children, making it essential to handle each investigation with care.
The annual OSCE conference serves as a collaborative platform for government agencies, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to share solutions and intensify global efforts to combat human trafficking. This year, the event gathered over 800 participants from within and beyond the OSCE region.
Slovakia’s contribution to the dialogue reflects its growing role as a regional leader in victim-centered legal protection and specialized prosecutorial training.
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