Responding to the needs of victims of trafficking in human beings, unaccompanied minors, and other vulnerable groups

Introduction

EMN Member and Observer Countries introduced various policy and legislative changes, as well as operational measures to address the needs of victims of trafficking in human beings, unaccompanied minors, and other vulnerable groups. At EU level, stronger tools for law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate and prosecute new forms of exploitation were introduced.

Trafficking in human beings

Legislative changes targeting specific forms of trafficking in human beings or through a comprehensive approach were, also in addition, implemented in Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden to strengthen:

Prevention (Belgium, Finland)
Prosecution of traffickers (Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden)
Victim protection (Spain, Ireland, Malta)

Detection and identification of victims

Detection and identification of victims of trafficking in human beings were enhanced through awareness-raising and training of key stakeholders (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, Georgia).

Some of these efforts specifically focused on detection and identification of:

Child victims (the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Malta, Sweden, Georgia)
Victims of trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation (Germany, Estonia, Greece, France, Poland, Sweden)
Victims of trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation (Germany, France, Sweden)
Victims in migration and asylum procedures (the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Sweden, Slovenia)

Identification and reception of unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups

Several EMN Member Countries made efforts to improve the identification (Belgium, France, Italy, Poland) of unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups. Steps to improve the identification and registration of unaccompanied minors included:

Enhancing identification and data retention procedures (Italy, Poland)
Introducing stricter measures to address abuse and track minors involved in criminal activity (Belgium, France)
Updating age assessment procedures to ensure consistency and safeguard minors’ welfare (Belgium, Sweden)

In addition, several EMN Member and Observer Countries made efforts to improve the reception (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Moldova) of unaccompanied minors. Bulgaria, Ireland and Italy sought to increase their capacity for accommodation for unaccompanied minors after a growing number of arrivals.

For vulnerable adults, several countries concentrated on supporting women victims of violence (Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Sweden, Moldova).

Child protection for applicants for international protection

Countries introduced measures to strengthen child protection for applicants for international protection, focusing on safeguarding, rights awareness, and improved care standards (Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Georgia). These initiatives included:

Developing child-friendly accommodation and information materials (the Czech Republic)
Establishing independent inspections (Ireland)
Updated protection policies to better safeguard minors in asylum and reception systems (Belgium, Germany, Poland)

EU policy developments

At EU level, the revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive was adopted in June 2024. It introduced stronger tools for law enforcement and judicial authorities to investigate and prosecute new forms of exploitation (the exploitation of forced marriage, of illegal adoption and of surrogacy), as well as mandating national referral mechanisms, improving coordination with asylum authorities, and requiring EU Member States to criminalise the knowing use of services from trafficking victims.

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