Second report on the progress made in the fight against trafficking in human beings (2018)

Summary:

On 3 December 2018 the European Commission presented its second report on the implementation of Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims (the Anti-Trafficking Directive).

Further information:

Trafficking in human beings is a constantly evolving serious form of mostly organised crime. It brings high profits to the perpetrators, who abuse people’s vulnerabilities and exploit the demand for the services provided by the victims. It results in irreversible harm to its victims, our societies and economies.

The link between trafficking in human beings and other serious crimes is increasingly understood. The complex interplay of supply and demand amongst perpetrators, abusers, profit-takers, exploiters and users creates a long chain of actors, whether they are knowingly or unknowingly involved. This chain must be broken in order to stop and effectively prevent this atrocious crime.

In this context the Commission implemented the 2012-2016 EU strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in human beings. Further, in its December 2017 Communication reporting on the follow-up to the EU strategy, the Commission also identified further concrete actions to improve prevention. The Commission continues to monitor how Member States implement the Anti-Trafficking Directive.

Official

EUR-Lex: SWD(2018)473: Commission Staff Working Document accompanying COM(2018)777 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2018:473:FIN

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