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  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">BRJ</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title>Balkan Research Journal</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="publisher">BRJ</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn publication-format="print">2955-2516</issn>
      <issn publication-format="electronic">2955-2524</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Balkan University Press</publisher-name>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">289</article-id>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Research Article</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>Social Turbulence and Transformation in the Balkan Region: Challenges of Active Inclusion for Victims of Human Trafficking – A Case Study of Young Girls in North Macedonia</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="yes">
          <name name-style="western">
            <surname>Dimeska</surname>
            <given-names>Natasa</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1" />
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name name-style="western">
            <surname>Dabeski</surname>
            <given-names>Marjan</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2" />
        </contrib>
        <aff id="aff1">
          <institution>Cyril Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia</institution>
        </aff>
        <aff id="aff2">
          <institution>University St. Kliment Ohridski, Kichevo, North Macedonia</institution>
        </aff>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date publication-format="electronic" date-type="pub" iso-8601-date="2025-06-19">
        <day>19</day>
        <month>06</month>
        <year>2025</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>2</volume>
      <issue>1</issue>
      <fpage>57</fpage>
      <lpage>76</lpage>
      <permissions>
        <license license-type="open-access" xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">
          <license-p>CC BY-NC-ND 4.0</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <self-uri xlink:href="https://brj.ibupress.com/articles/social-turbulence-and-transformation-in-the-balkan-region-challenges-of-active-inclusion-for-victims-of-human-trafficking-a-case-study-of-young-girls-in-north-macedonia" />
      <self-uri content-type="pdf" xlink:href="https://brj.ibupress.com/file/629/ibu-journal-brj-2-5.pdf" />
      <abstract>
        <p>Human trafficking in the Balkan region represents a critical human rights issue amid ongoing social upheaval and transformation. This study investigates the intricate challenges related to the social inclusion and reintegration of trafficking survivors, mainly focusing on young female victims in North Macedonia. A mixed-methods approach was employed, which included qualitative interviews with survivors, social workers, policymakers, and law enforcement officials, as well as comprehensive reviews of legal frameworks, policy documents, and statistical data. Key statistics include: nearly 70% of identified victims in North Macedonia are minors (average age ~15), women and girls constitute approximately 72% of global trafficking victims, and annual reported cases in North Macedonia range between 150–200—with forced marriage cases totaling 17 and increasing incidents of online exploitation among adolescents. The findings highlight various reintegration obstacles, such as structural limitations (e.g., inadequate shelter capacity and chronic funding shortages), significant psychological trauma, and widespread societal stigma, all compounded by gaps in existing legal and institutional support systems. Although North Macedonia’s legal framework complies with international standards, survivors frequently struggle to access education, employment, and community resources. Recent initiatives aimed at increasing deterrence through stricter sentencing and specialized judicial practices indicate a positive yet inconsistent legal response. This paper offers specific, evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to create sustainable reintegration strategies for young trafficking survivors in North Macedonia and the larger Balkan area.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group kwd-group-type="author">
        <kwd>human trafficking</kwd>
        <kwd>social inclusion</kwd>
        <kwd>reintegration</kwd>
        <kwd>human rights</kwd>
        <kwd>legal protection</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
  <back>
    <ref-list>
      <title>References</title>
      <ref id="r1">
        <mixed-citation>Council of Europe. (2005). Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings . https://www.coe.int/en/web/anti-human-trafficking</mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="r2">
        <mixed-citation>Council of Europe. (2023). GRETA third evaluation report on North Macedonia: Access to justice and effective remedies for victims of trafficking in human beings . Strasbourg.</mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="r3">
        <mixed-citation>Law on Foreigners. (2018). Ministry of Interior &amp; Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, Republic of North Macedonia</mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="r4">
        <mixed-citation>UNICEF North Macedonia. (2024). Children constitute seventy percent of all identified victims of human trafficking from North Macedonia [Press release]. UNICEF North Macedonia.</mixed-citation>
      </ref>
    </ref-list>
  </back>
</article>