BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – The European Commission presented a new strategy on October 16 to combat trafficking in human beings across the European Union. The plan comes ahead of EU Anti-Trafficking Day on October 18. National authorities registered more than 20,000 victims in 2023 and 2024, a rise of 16.1%. The Commission said many cases still go undetected. The strategy sets out six priorities for a coordinated response to the crime.
Trafficking in the EU takes many forms, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced criminality, begging and forced marriage. Women and girls accounted for 63% of registered victims, mainly for sexual exploitation. Children represented 15% of the total. Men made up 74% of victims trafficked for labour exploitation. The Commission said traffickers continue to target people in vulnerable situations and that the bloc must adapt its response to the rise in cases.
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said traffickers will be held accountable, their networks disrupted and victims protected. He added that people should not be for sale. The new plan follows the EU strategy that covered the period from 2021 to 2025. It also builds on the revised Anti-Trafficking Directive, which Member States had to transpose into national law by July 15, 2026. The directive widened the list of trafficking offences.
Six priorities target technology and crime networks
The first priority focuses on better use of technology to prevent, detect and investigate trafficking. Much of the recruitment, advertising and control of victims now takes place online. The second calls for closer work with businesses and labour inspectors to reduce exploitation risks and improve early detection. The Commission plans a European business coalition against trafficking. Labour inspectors are expected to cooperate more closely through the European Labour Authority.
The third priority targets transnational trafficking linked to organised crime. It relies on cross-border cooperation, intelligence-led policing, financial investigations and asset recovery. Member States are urged to set up more joint investigation teams with support from Europol and Eurojust. Both agencies already support national investigators in cross-border cases. The fourth priority addresses risks linked to migration. It calls for stronger screening, border procedures and safeguards in reception conditions for people arriving in the EU.
Crisis preparedness and victim protection complete plan
The fifth priority aims to improve prevention, preparedness and rapid response when crises occur. The Commission will prepare guidance on spotting trafficking risks in future emergencies. It will build on the common anti-trafficking plan adopted in 2022 for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The sixth priority strengthens support and protection for people at risk and for victims. It covers their rights during investigations and criminal proceedings.
The European Parliament and the Council will now discuss the strategy. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will work with national coordinators on its implementation. The Commission said the six pillars form a coordinated and future-proof approach to a crime that often crosses borders. Member States remain responsible for identifying victims and prosecuting offenders under national law. The strategy will guide EU action against trafficking in the coming years.