BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – The European Commission unveiled a comprehensive strategy on October 16 aimed at combating human trafficking across the European Union. This initiative precedes EU Anti-Trafficking Day, observed on October 18. In 2023 and 2024, authorities documented over 20,000 victims, reflecting a 16.1% increase. The Commission highlighted that numerous cases still go unnoticed. The new strategy outlines six key priorities to foster a unified response to this persistent crime.
Trafficking within the EU manifests in various forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, coerced criminal activities, begging, and forced marriage. Women and girls constituted 63% of recorded victims, predominantly for sexual exploitation, while children accounted for 15% of the total. Men represented 74% of victims trafficked for labor exploitation. The Commission emphasized that traffickers continue to target vulnerable populations and stressed the need for the EU to adapt its strategies to address 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 emphasized that no one should be for sale. This new plan builds on the EU strategy covering 2021 to 2025 and enhances the revised Anti-Trafficking Directive, which Member States are required to transpose into national law by July 15, 2026. The directive broadened the scope of trafficking offenses.
Six priorities focus on technology and criminal networks
The initial priority emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to prevent, detect, and investigate trafficking activities, especially since recruitment, advertising, and victim control largely occur online. The second priority advocates for increased collaboration with businesses and labor inspectors to lower exploitation risks and enable early intervention. The Commission intends to establish a European business coalition against trafficking, while labor inspectors are expected to strengthen cooperation via the European Labour Authority.
Addressing transnational trafficking connected to organised crime, the third priority depends on cross-border cooperation, intelligence-led policing, financial investigations, and asset recovery. Member States are encouraged to form more joint investigation teams supported by Europol and Eurojust. Both agencies are already assisting national investigators in cross-border operations. The fourth priority targets risks associated with migration, calling for enhanced screening, border procedures, and safeguards during reception of newcomers to the EU.
Enhanced crisis readiness and victim protection strategies
The fifth priority concentrates on strengthening prevention, preparedness, and swift response mechanisms during crises. The Commission will develop guidance on identifying trafficking risks in emergency situations and will expand upon the joint anti-trafficking plan adopted in 2022, which focused on individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine. The sixth priority is dedicated to bolstering support and safeguarding for vulnerable populations and victims, ensuring their rights are upheld during investigations and legal proceedings.
Discussions on the strategy will now take place between the European Parliament and the Council. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will collaborate with national coordinators to ensure proper implementation. The Commission underlined that the six pillars offer a coordinated, future-oriented approach to a crime that frequently crosses borders. While Member States retain responsibility for victim identification and offender prosecution under national law, this strategy will steer EU efforts against trafficking over the coming years.