Commission sets out a new strategy against trafficking in human beings

Today the European Commission sets out a new strategy to combat trafficking in human beings. In 2023 and 2024, more than 20,000 victims were registered in the EU, a 16.1% increase, although many cases remain unseen. Trafficking takes many forms, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced criminality, begging and forced marriage. The new strategy has six priorities: making better use of technology to prevent and detect trafficking, closer cooperation with businesses and labour inspectors, stepping up action against organised crime, addressing migration-related risks, improving crisis preparedness, and strengthening support and protection for people at risk and for victims. Traffickers keep targeting people in vulnerable situations. Women and girls made up 63% of registered victims, mainly for sexual exploitation; children made up 15%; and men were the majority of victims of trafficking for labour exploitation (74%). Ahead of EU Anti-Trafficking Day on 18 October, the strategy sets out six strategic pillars: 1. Using modern technology to improve prevention, detection and investigation. The strategy builds on existing tools such as the Digital Services Act and the EU Internet Forum, and on upcoming initiatives including the EU Action Plan against digital fraud. Through EMPACT, the EU will support innovative approaches to digital investigations, including hackathons. 2. Strengthening private-sector involvement to reduce exploitation risks and improve early detection. The Commission will set up a European business coalition against trafficking in human beings and support Member States in strengthening cooperation between labour inspectors through the European Labour Authority. 3. Disrupting transnational trafficking linked to organised crime, through cross-border cooperation, intelligence-led policing, financial investigations and effective asset recovery. A new sanctions regime targeting organised crime, including migrant smuggling and trafficking, will let the EU freeze criminals' assets, restrict their travel and cut their profits. A forthcoming proposal to modernise organised-crime rules will cover criminal networks involved in trafficking. The Commission invites Member States to expand cross-border operational cooperation through joint investigation teams, with the support of Europol and Eurojust. 4. Preventing migration-related exploitation. According to the latest data, 36% of registered victims were EU citizens and 64% were non-EU nationals. The Pact on Migration and Asylum introduces new tools to address trafficking risks, including screening, the new border procedure and safeguards on reception conditions, and a strengthened Frontex mandate will help detect criminal networks and identify victims. 5. Improving prevention, preparedness and rapid response in crises. Building on the anti-trafficking plan with Ukraine, the Commission will develop operational guidelines for the actors involved in identifying and addressing trafficking risks during crises. 6. Improving protection for people vulnerable to trafficking. The rights, support and protection of victims must remain an integral part of law enforcement and judicial responses. International cooperation is key: the Commission will strengthen cooperation with partner countries and international organisations. Next steps The strategy will be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will continue working with national coordinators, the EU Civil Society Platform and EU agencies to implement it. Background The revised Anti-Trafficking Directive entered into force in 2024, and Member States had to transpose it by July this year. It strengthens investigations, victim support and child protection, criminalises users who knowingly exploit trafficking victims and recognises online sexual exploitation as an aggravating circumstance. In July 2026, the Commission and the High Representative proposed a new sanctions regime targeting migrant smuggling, human trafficking and other forms of organised crime. The strategy is adopted together with the 6th progress report on the previous strategy (2021-2025), with data for 2023-2024.