BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – On October 16, the European Commission announced a new initiative aimed at combating human trafficking within the EU. This announcement coincides with EU Anti-Trafficking Day on October 18. Official figures indicate that over 20,000 victims were recorded in 2023 and 2024, marking a 16.1% increase. The Commission highlighted that many cases still remain undetected. To address this issue, the strategy delineates six key priorities to ensure a unified response to the crime.
Trafficking activities in the EU encompass various forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, criminal coercion, begging, and forced marriage. Women and girls constituted 63% of the documented victims, predominantly for sexual exploitation. Children accounted for 15% of the total. Meanwhile, 74% of victims trafficked for labour exploitation were men. The Commission emphasized that traffickers persist in targeting vulnerable populations and that the EU must evolve its response to the rising number of cases.
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stated that traffickers will be held accountable, their networks dismantled, and victims safeguarded. He reaffirmed that no one should be for sale. This new plan builds upon the EU strategy covering 2021 to 2025, and additionally leverages the revised Anti-Trafficking Directive, which Member States are required to incorporate into national law by July 15, 2026. This directive expanded the scope of trafficking-related offences.
Six key areas focus on technological tools and criminal organizations
The initial priority emphasizes leveraging technology to improve prevention, detection, and investigation of trafficking. Notably, much of the recruitment, advertising, and victim control now occurs online. The second priority advocates for increased collaboration with businesses and labour inspectors to mitigate exploitation risks and facilitate early intervention. The Commission intends to establish a European business coalition against trafficking. Furthermore, labour inspectors are expected to work more closely through the European Labour Authority.
The third priority targets transnational trafficking linked to organised crime. This effort depends heavily on cross-border cooperation, intelligence-driven policing, financial investigations, and asset recovery. Member States are encouraged to establish additional joint investigation teams supported by Europol and Eurojust, which already assist national investigators in cross-border cases. The fourth priority addresses risks associated with migration. It calls for enhanced screening, border control procedures, and safeguards in reception conditions for new arrivals in the EU.
Preparedness for emergencies and victim support are integral to the comprehensive plan
The fifth priority aims to bolster prevention, preparedness, and swift response during crises. The Commission will develop guidance to identify trafficking risks in future emergencies, building on the 2022 anti-trafficking plan for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The sixth priority focuses on expanding support and protection measures for at-risk populations and victims, ensuring their rights are upheld during investigations and criminal proceedings.
The European Parliament and the Council are set to review the strategy. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will work alongside national coordinators to oversee its implementation. The Commission emphasized that these six pillars constitute a coordinated, forward-looking approach to a cross-border crime. Member States remain responsible for victim identification and criminal prosecution under their national legal systems. Ultimately, this strategy aims to steer EU efforts against trafficking in the coming years.