Minors are more in danger of falling victims to various forms of violence. Fear from prejudice and guilt makes them more hesitant to denounce their abusers. According to psychologists, children have a hard time opening up to their parents, as in many cases fear of lacking their support.

“Children are more predisposed to be abused by an adult as they appear as figures of authority and can psychologically manipulate them, which makes them easy prey”, says psychologist Adelina Pjetra.

“When a child says that they are abused, the first thing that the family asks is what did you do to make him do that to you secondly try to silence them as a shameful topic”, she added.

Society tends to point fingers at the victim and its family and justify the abuser. We asked several citizens on this pressing issue, and a majority believe that it is the family’s duty to “educate girls”, as “everything begins in the family”.

“We, as a society and as parents, have a problem in educating our children. We teach them how to cross the street, but we don’t actually talk to them about certain boundaries, or where others are not allowed to touch them, and they shouldn’t be touching others in particular parts either, said the psychologist.”

We will not know how safe children are as long as sexual offenders roam freely.

“There are around 100 sexual offenders in Albania, who have served their time and now are out in the streets. The problem is how can I know that that person is living near me and how could I be more careful”, says Iris Luarasi, activist.

Children that have been victims of various forms of abuse have a higher probability to suffer mental health issues, anxiety, depression, etc.