Girls and Boys Welcome to Slovakia!
Are you under 18 and arriving in Slovakia? Do not worry, we are here to help you! Below are answers
to some questions you might have, to help you feel safe, know your rights, and understand what to do.
Who is considered to be a child in Slovakia?
In Slovakia and the European Union, you are considered to be a child until you reach the age of 18. All children are protected regardless of their nationality or legal status.
If you are a child travelling without your parents, you have the right to special protection in Slovakia through Child Protection authorities. Special Protection refers to support for children travelling or staying in Slovakia without their parents/caregivers.
What are my rights in Slovakia:
You can enjoy all your rights like any child in Slovakia regardless of your nationality or legal status, for example:
- You have the right to stay with your family.
- You have the right to go to school.
- You have the right to play and have fun.
- You have the right to get help if you are hurt or scared.
- You have the right to get health care.
Remember Your feelings and opinions are important!
What is important for me to know?
- Keep your documents safe: It is very important to keep any identity documents (like an ID card or passport) in a safe place. Try to make copies of them if you can or keep a copy on your phone. Do not let anyone take your documents, even if they are offering to help you find housing or transportation. Only the police have the authority to check your documents.
- Help is free. Nobody is allowed to make you work or have a relationship with you or any other favour (things or money) in exchange for help. If anyone does this, you can report them to the police or UNHCR and ask for help.
- Police Hotline (Toll-free): 158
- Ambulance 155Firefighters 150Helpline for children (Toll-free): 116111
- UNHCR (the United Nations organization responsible for helping refugees) Toll-Free Line: 0800 221 230 (Call from a Slovak telephone number) or Toll Landline: +421 222 11 56 50 (Call from a non-Slovak telephone number), Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Ask adults you trust to help keep you safe: If a stranger offers to take you away from your family to give you something, say ‘no’ and tell an adult you trust. Never agree to meet a stranger without first talking to an adult you trust. If you are in a situation that makes you uncomfortable or unsafe, tell someone you trust and ask for help.
REMEMBER: it is not your fault; you are not to blame if anything happens.
I am in Slovakia with my family. How can I make sure we stay together?
After all that you have been through, it is even more important to do everything you can to stay together with your parents or family. Simple things can help a lot.
- Stay Together: Always go to new places with your family or trusted adults.
- Know Important Information: Keep phone numbers and your address with you but do not let strangers take them.
- Plan for Safety: Talk to your family or trusted adult about what to do if you get separated.
- Always tell a parent or someone you trust where you are going, with whom you are going and when you will go out and return.
If am living with other family members or non-relatives, can I stay with them?
Even if you are in Slovakia without your parents, you will get help and a safe place to stay. You can talk to the police, social workers, teachers, or any organization helping refugees.
It is still important to inform the child protection authority which is the: Offices of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (“Úrad práce, sociálnych vecí a rodiny”). The Labor office will advise you and follow up if it is required to issue a legal document for your relative from the Slovak authorities to look after you. You can also reach out to UNHCR, or other organizations for advice and support.
I live alone in Slovakia, what shall I do?
You have the right to get help and a safe place to stay!
Please reach out to the Child Protection authorities “the Office of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family “, police, UNHCR, local organization or a trusted adult. They will help you to stay safe.
You can call any of the phone numbers below:
- Police Hotline (Toll-free): 158
- Child Safety Line (Toll-free): 116111
- UNHCR (the United Nations organization responsible for helping refugees) Toll-Free Line: 0800 221 230 (Call from a Slovak telephone number) or Toll Landline: +421 222 11 56 50 (Call from a non-Slovak telephone number), Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
What can I do if I lose contact with my parents?
It may be difficult to find parents or relatives due to the situation in some countries, but it is important to tell us as much information as you can about them to help find them when this is possible.
Your parents may also be looking for you and have given their details to other organisations working to get families back together. Telling us your situation can help make the connection when this is possible.
You can contact:
You can also check: When a family member becomes a missing person.
UNHCR: Email [email protected]
Migration Office: will support you in this request if you were placed in the Centre for Children and Families.
Red Cross: Email [email protected]
You can also check: When a family member becomes a missing person.
I want to go back to school as soon as possible. What should I do?
You have the right to go to school, like all Slovak children.
Education is compulsory in Slovakia between the ages of 6 and 16.
- If you are between the ages of 6 and 14, primary education is provided in primary schools (grades 1-9);
- If you are between the ages of 14 and 18/19/20, youcan enter secondary schools (grades 1-4/5/6), including high schools, grammar schools, secondary vocational schools, secondary sports schools, art schools and conservatories.
For more information about education and school enrolment, you can look at https://help.unhcr.org/slovakia/education/
list=PL8TioFHubWFtb3SmM8D4ApXtktrzC36c8
I need help – who should I ask?
Many people want to help but it is important to know who to trust. If you need help, look for people wearing uniforms or badges. These could be:
- Police officers
- Social workers
- Doctors and nurses
- Psychologists
- Teachers
These people can help with food, housing, school, and health. If you are unsure about someone, it is okay to ask to see their ID card.
Look for adults working with an organisation: they usually wear a vest, a jacket, or a hat, or carry an ID card with a logo. If you are not sure, you can ask to see their ID! If you feel uncomfortable, you can say ‘no’.
Final tips for staying safe:
- Always ask a trusted adult before going anywhere.
- If something makes you feel scared or uncomfortable, tell someone right away.
- It is okay to say NO to anything that makes you feel unsafe.
You are strong, and many people want to help you!
I feel sad, angry, worried, scared, or confused. Is this normal? ☹️ 😠😕😰😧
It is normal to feel upset after having to leave your country and seeing or hearing about so many terrifying things. It may be hard to stop thinking about what you saw or experienced. You may be separated from people you love and worried about them or about what will happen next. You may feel like nothing is familiar. Here are simple things to try that may help you cope with this difficult situation:
- Try to keep a routine. Go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day.
- Try to eat regular healthy meals.
- Spend time with your family and friends doing things you all enjoy.
- Move your body: walk or exercise if you can.
- Keep in contact with family and friends. If you cannot contact them now, write letters.
- Help others in your community.
- Take breaks from watching the news and avoid upsetting photos or videos.
If you feel angry or overwhelmed:
- Take a break and focus on breathing slowly for a few minutes.
- Look for interesting things around you, like flowers, and trees, or listen to bird sounds.
- Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling.
- Ask for help from a psychologist or a counsellor – many are available for free.
If you need to speak to someone, IPčko, provides online counselling to young people here.
You can also call the Crisis Helpline at 0800 500 333, they provide anonymous, free, and non-stop telephone psychological assistance to people in crisis in connection with COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.
Someone has hurt me, or I am afraid that someone will. What should I do?
No one has the right to abuse, neglect, or mistreat any child or your family – not strangers, not parents, not relatives, and not teachers. Anyone who harms you will be sanctioned once reported.
If someone has hurt you, touched you, or treated you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or scared, or if you are afraid that someone will: some adults and organisations can help.
You can also agree on a secret word or phrase to use with family and friends. You can repeat this to them when you feel in danger so that they know you are in trouble.
REMEMBER: this is never your fault, and you are not to blame. You should not be ashamed or afraid to ask for help. If you have someone you trust, please talk to them about it.
Helpful videos and links (In Ukrainian):