BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – On October 16, the European Commission unveiled a new strategic approach aimed at tackling human trafficking within the European Union. This announcement coincides with EU Anti-Trafficking Day, which falls on October 18. In 2023 and 2024, national authorities recorded over 20,000 victims, reflecting a 16.1% increase. The Commission highlighted that many instances of trafficking remain undetected. The newly proposed strategy emphasizes six key priorities to foster a unified response to this persistent crime.
Trafficking across the EU manifests in various forms, such as sexual exploitation, forced labor, coerced criminal activity, begging, and forced marriage. Women and girls make up 63% of registered victims, predominantly for sexual exploitation. Children account for 15% of the total. Meanwhile, men constitute 74% of victims trafficked for labor purposes. The Commission emphasized that traffickers continue to target vulnerable populations and stressed the necessity for the EU to adapt its strategies to counter the increasing cases.
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner affirmed that traffickers will be held accountable, criminal networks dismantled, and victims safeguarded. He reiterated that people should not be considered commodities for sale. This new initiative builds upon the EU strategy covering 2021 to 2025 and also incorporates the revised Anti-Trafficking Directive. Member States were required to transpose this directive into national legislation by July 15, 2026. The directive expanded the scope of trafficking offences.
Six focus areas aim at leveraging technology and dismantling criminal networks
The primary focus is on improving the use of technology to prevent, identify, and investigate trafficking cases. A significant portion of recruitment, victim management, and advertising now occurs online. The second priority emphasizes closer collaboration with businesses and labor inspectors to mitigate exploitation risks and enhance early detection efforts. The Commission is also establishing a European business coalition against trafficking. Additionally, labor inspectors will work more closely with the European Labour Authority to strengthen enforcement.
The third priority concentrates on transnational trafficking associated with organised crime. It promotes cross-border cooperation, intelligence-led policing, financial investigations, and asset recovery measures. Member States are encouraged to create more joint investigation teams supported by Europol and Eurojust. Both agencies already assist national investigators in handling cross-border cases. The fourth priority addresses risks linked to migration. It advocates for stronger screening procedures, border control measures, and safeguards in reception conditions for newcomers arriving in the EU.
Preparedness, victim support, and rapid response in crisis situations
The fifth priority focuses on enhancing prevention, preparedness, and swift response mechanisms during emergencies. The Commission intends to develop guidance to recognize trafficking risks during future crises. This builds upon the shared anti-trafficking plan established in 2022 for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The sixth priority aims to reinforce assistance and protection for at-risk groups and victims, ensuring their rights are upheld during investigations and criminal proceedings.
The European Parliament and the Council will now evaluate the proposed strategy. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will collaborate with national coordinators to facilitate its implementation. The Commission described the six pillars as a cohesive and adaptable approach to combat a crime that frequently crosses borders. Member States retain responsibility for victim identification and prosecution under their national laws. The strategy is set to steer EU actions against trafficking in the upcoming years.