On 14 April 2021, the Commission adopted a new EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (2021-2025). This initiative provides for a comprehensive response to the crime – from preventing the crime, and protecting and empowering victims to bringing traffickers to justice. As trafficking in human beings is often carried out by organised crime groups, the Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings is closely linked to the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime (2021-2025).
The strategy builds on EU's legal and policy framework in place to address trafficking in human beings, rooted in the Anti-trafficking Directive. The Strategy focuses on:
- reducing demand that fosters trafficking
- breaking the business model of traffickers through effective operational means against the criminal business model, tackling the culture of impunity by building capacity for a robust criminal justice response, as well as the digital business model of traffickers
- protecting, supporting and empowering the victims with a specific focus on women and children
- promoting international cooperation
More information
- Communication on the EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings 2021-2025
- Communication on the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime 2021-2025
- Q&A: EU Strategy to tackle Organised Crime & EU Strategy on combatting Trafficking in Human Beings
- Fighting Trafficking in Human Beings: factsheet and press release
- Fighting Organised Crime: factsheet and press release