End human trafficking. Break the invisible chain

End human trafficking

This campaign aims to help end the trafficking of human beings by raising awareness of this type of crime, which deprives people of their fundamental rights.

Every year, around 10 000 citizens, from the European Union or from other countries, become victims of human trafficking in the EU. Many more remain invisible and go undetected. Human trafficking takes many forms, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging.

Human trafficking is a violent offence committed by individuals or organised criminal networks that are operating internationally. It may generate up to EUR 14 billion per year for traffickers, for sexual exploitation alone.

Ending human trafficking is a priority for the EU and its partners. Every person’s contribution could be decisive in the fight against trafficking in human beings.

Break the invisible chain

There is an invisible chain that links trafficking networks, victims and those who use trafficked victims' services, often unknowingly.

The first step to break the chain is to raise awareness – prevent trafficking in the first place by informing potential victims and making the victims of this crime visible.

But there is more that you can do:

recognise the signs that somebody might be a victim of human trafficking;
report a suspected case of human trafficking;
provide support to the victims themselves.

Recognise the signs of human trafficking

Is the person escorted whenever he/she goes to and return from either work or other outdoor activities?
Can the person speak freely or is someone else communicating for them?
Does the person appear disconnected from family, community, or friends?
Does the person have very few clothing items?
Does the person sleep where he/she works?
Does the person depend on someone else (their employer) for accommodation and transportation? Does the person have freedom of movement?
Does the person live in unsuitable, substandard and overcrowded places, e.g., in derelict or industrial buildings?
Is the person giving his/her earnings to someone else?
If it concerns a child: does the child look intimidated and behave in ways that do not correspond with children of that age?
Is the person in possession of their own identification and travel documents?

The absence or presence of these indicators does not necessarily confirm or deny a case of human trafficking. Each situation is unique and may not display all of the typical signs.