BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – On October 16, the European Commission unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at combating human trafficking within the EU, coinciding with the upcoming EU Anti-Trafficking Day on October 18. According to official data, over 20,000 victims were recorded in 2023 and 2024, marking an increase of 16.1%, though authorities acknowledge that many cases remain unreported or undetected. The new strategy delineates six key priorities designed to facilitate a unified and effective response to this persistent crime.
Trafficking activities in Europe manifest in various forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, criminal coercion, begging, and forced marriage, with women and girls constituting 63% of registered victims primarily for sexual exploitation, while children account for 15% of the total. Men represent 74% of those trafficked for labour exploitation. The Commission emphasized that traffickers continue to prey on vulnerable populations and that the EU must adjust its approach to address the increasing number of cases effectively.
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stated that traffickers will face accountability, their networks will be dismantled, and victims will be safeguarded, reiterating the principle that no one should be bought and sold. This new initiative expands upon the previous EU strategy covering 2021 to 2025 and incorporates the revised Anti-Trafficking Directive, which requires Member States to transpose its provisions into national law by July 15, 2026. The directive notably broadens the scope of offences related to trafficking.
Six Strategic Areas Focus on Technology and Criminal Networks
The first priority emphasizes enhancing technological tools to better prevent, identify, and investigate trafficking activities, recognizing that much of the recruitment, advertising, and control of victims now predominantly occurs online. The second priority advocates for increased collaboration with businesses and labour inspectors to mitigate exploitation risks and facilitate early detection, including the development of a European business coalition against trafficking and closer cooperation among labour inspectors via the European Labour Authority.
Addressing the third priority, the strategy targets transnational trafficking linked to organised crime, relying heavily on cross-border cooperation, intelligence-led policing, financial investigations, and asset recovery efforts. Member States are encouraged to establish additional joint investigation teams supported by Europol and Eurojust, both of which already assist national investigators in cross-border cases. The fourth priority tackles migration-related risks, advocating for more robust screening, border procedures, and safeguards in reception conditions for new arrivals in the EU.
Crisis Management and Victim Support as Essential Components
The fifth priority aims at strengthening prevention, preparedness, and swift response measures during crises, with the Commission preparing guidance to identify trafficking risks in future emergencies, building on the anti-trafficking plan adopted in 2022 for individuals fleeing the Ukraine conflict. The sixth priority focuses on enhancing support and protection for vulnerable populations and victims, ensuring their rights are upheld during investigations and criminal proceedings.
The strategy is now subject to discussion by the European Parliament and the Council, with the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator collaborating with national counterparts to oversee its implementation. The Commission underscored that the six pillars collectively present a coordinated and resilient framework to confront a crime that often transcends national borders. While Member States remain responsible for victim identification and prosecution under their legal systems, this strategy is intended to steer EU-wide efforts over the coming years against human trafficking.