BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – On October 16, the European Commission introduced a fresh plan aimed at fighting human trafficking across the European Union. This initiative coincides with EU Anti-Trafficking Day on October 18. In 2023 and 2024, authorities documented over 20,000 victims, marking a 16.1% increase. The Commission highlighted that many cases remain unreported. The strategy outlines six key priorities to foster a unified approach to tackling this crime.
Trafficking within the EU manifests in various ways, such as sexual abuse, forced labour, criminal coercion, begging, and forced marriage. Women and girls made up 63% of the victims registered, mainly for sexual exploitation. Children accounted for 15% of all victims. Men represented 74% of those trafficked for labour exploitation. The Commission emphasized that traffickers continue to prey on vulnerable populations and that the EU must adapt its measures in response to rising cases.
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stated that traffickers will face accountability, their networks will be dismantled, and victims will be safeguarded. He stressed that no one should be bought and sold. This new plan builds on the EU strategy covering 2021 to 2025. It also expands on the updated Anti-Trafficking Directive, which Member States were required to incorporate into national law by July 15, 2026. The directive broadens the scope of trafficking offences.
Six focal points address technological tools and criminal networks
The initial priority emphasizes enhanced use of technology to prevent, detect, and investigate trafficking. Currently, much recruitment, advertising, and control of victims happen online. The second prioritizes closer collaboration with businesses and labour inspectors to reduce exploitation risks and enable early detection. The Commission aims to establish a European business coalition against trafficking. Labour inspectors are expected to work more closely through the European Labour Authority.
The third priority targets transnational trafficking linked to organised crime. It depends on cross-border cooperation, intelligence-led policing, financial investigations, and asset recovery. Member States are encouraged to form more joint investigation teams with support from Europol and Eurojust. These agencies already aid national investigators in cross-border cases. The fourth priority addresses migration-related risks. It urges stronger screening, border procedures, and safeguards at reception centers for arrivals in the EU.
Focus on crisis readiness and victim support completes the strategy
The fifth priority seeks to improve prevention, readiness, and rapid response during crises. The Commission plans to develop guidance on identifying trafficking risks in future emergencies. It will build on the joint anti-trafficking plan adopted in 2022 for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The sixth priority enhances support and protection for vulnerable individuals and victims. This includes their rights during investigations and criminal proceedings.
The European Parliament and the Council will now review the strategy. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will collaborate with national coordinators to implement it. The Commission stated that these six pillars offer a coordinated, forward-looking approach to a cross-border crime. Member States still hold responsibility for victim identification and offender prosecution under their national laws. This strategy aims to steer EU efforts against trafficking in the coming years.