BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – On October 16, the European Commission announced a comprehensive new plan to tackle human trafficking across the European Union. This initiative was unveiled just before EU Anti-Trafficking Day on October 18. In 2023 and 2024, authorities registered over 20,000 victims, marking a 16.1% increase, with the Commission noting many cases still go undetected. The strategy outlines six key priorities designed to coordinate efforts against this crime.
Trafficking within the EU manifests in various forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, criminal activities, begging, and compelled marriages. Women and girls made up 63% of the victims registered, predominantly for sexual exploitation, while children accounted for 15%. Men comprised 74% of victims trafficked for labor exploitation. The Commission emphasized that traffickers continue targeting vulnerable populations and highlighted the necessity for the EU to refine its response in light of the increasing number of cases.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, affirmed that traffickers will be held accountable, their networks dismantled, and victims safeguarded. He stressed that no person should be considered for sale. This new initiative follows the EU strategy covering 2021 to 2025 and builds upon the amended Anti-Trafficking Directive, which Member States were required to incorporate into their national laws by July 15, 2026. The directive expanded the scope of trafficking offenses.
Six strategic priorities focus on technology and organized crime networks
The initial priority emphasizes leveraging technology to better prevent, detect, and investigate trafficking activities, noting that much recruitment, advertising, and victim control now occur online. The second priority advocates for increased collaboration with businesses and labor inspectors to mitigate exploitation risks and facilitate early detection. The Commission is also planning a European business coalition against trafficking, with labor inspectors expected to work more closely through the European Labour Authority.
The third priority targets transnational trafficking connected to organised crime. It relies on cross-border cooperation, intelligence-led policing, financial investigations, and asset recovery. Member States are encouraged to establish additional joint investigation teams, with assistance from Europol and Eurojust. These agencies already support national investigators in cross-border cases. The fourth priority addresses risks associated with migration. It calls for enhanced screening, border procedures, and safeguards at reception centers for new arrivals in the EU.
Preparedness and victim protection are central to the strategy
The fifth priority aims to bolster prevention, readiness, and swift response mechanisms during crises. The Commission plans to develop guidelines to identify trafficking risks during future emergencies, building on the anti-trafficking plan adopted in 2022 for individuals fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The sixth priority concentrates on strengthening support and protections for vulnerable groups and victims, ensuring their rights are upheld throughout 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 facilitate its implementation. The Commission highlighted that the six pillars represent a coordinated, future-oriented approach to a crime that often transcends borders. While Member States remain responsible for victim identification and prosecuting offenders under their national laws, the strategy is set to direct EU efforts in combating trafficking over the coming years.