BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – On October 16, the European Commission unveiled a fresh approach to fight human trafficking across the European Union, just ahead of EU Anti-Trafficking Day on October 18. In 2023 and 2024, authorities identified over 20,000 victims, marking a 16.1% increase. The Commission highlighted that many cases still remain undetected. The new strategy outlines six key priorities aimed at ensuring a unified and effective response to this crime.
Trafficking within the EU manifests in various forms, including sexual and labor exploitation, forced criminal activities, begging, and coerced marriage. Women and girls represented 63% of the registered victims, primarily for sexual exploitation, while children made up 15%. Men accounted for 74% of victims exploited through forced labor. The Commission emphasized that traffickers continue to target vulnerable populations and stressed the importance of adapting strategies to address the rising number of cases.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, affirmed that traffickers will be held accountable, their networks dismantled, and victims protected. He also stated that people should not be for sale. The new initiative builds on the EU strategy covering 2021 to 2025 and supplements the revised Anti-Trafficking Directive, which Member States are required to transpose into national law by July 15, 2026. This directive expanded the scope of trafficking-related offenses.
Six core priorities focus on technology and organized crime networks
The primary priority emphasizes enhancing technology utilization to prevent, detect, and investigate trafficking activities. As much of the recruitment, advertising, and victim control now occur online, this approach seeks to address digital dimensions of trafficking. The second priority advocates for increased collaboration with companies and labor inspectors to mitigate exploitation risks and facilitate early detection. The Commission intends to establish a European business coalition against trafficking, with labor inspectors expected to work more closely via the European Labour Authority.
Addressing transnational trafficking linked to organised crime is the third priority. This involves cross-border cooperation, intelligence-led policing, financial investigations, and asset recovery. Member States are encouraged to develop additional joint investigation teams supported by Europol and Eurojust, which already assist national investigators in cross-border cases. The fourth priority concerns risks associated with migration. It calls for enhanced screening processes, border procedures, and safeguards in reception conditions for new arrivals in the EU.
Preparedness and victim support are integral to the comprehensive plan
The fifth priority aims to bolster prevention, preparedness, and swift responses during crises. The Commission will develop guidance for identifying trafficking risks in future emergencies and will expand upon the joint anti-trafficking plan adopted in 2022 for people fleeing Ukraine’s conflict. The sixth priority concentrates on strengthening victim support and protection, ensuring their rights are upheld during investigations and criminal procedures.
The strategy now enters discussions within the European Parliament and the Council. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will collaborate with national coordinators to facilitate its implementation. The Commission described the six pillars as forming a coordinated, resilient approach to a cross-border crime. While Member States remain responsible for victim identification and offender prosecution under their national laws, this strategy aims to direct EU-wide efforts against trafficking over the coming years.