Between 2017 and 2018, more than 14,000 victims of human trafficking were reported in the EU. The actual number of victims of sexual or labour exploitation is likely to be much higher. EU citizens accounted for nearly half of all registered victims in the EU. Members of the European Parliament are calling for more transnational cooperation and an update of the 2011 anti-trafficking directive.

human rights

Human trafficking  is still a reality in the EU

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/2867814/N01-AFPS-210210-HUMT-EN.srt

I was forced no matter the circumstances, no matter how I felt,

Elena was forced into a prostitution ring from Romania to Germany.

She is one of thousands of human trafficking victims in Europe.

14,145 victims were registered in the EU in 2017 and 2018.

The actual number is likely to be much higher

as many victims remain undetected in European countries.

"I chose to tell the whole story, press charges

must have the strength to talk about what happened to us

often forced into sexual exploitation and prostitution.

Others, mostly men, are used for forced labour:

in agriculture, construction or the cleaning industry.

Trafficking is caused by the vulnerability of the victims,

and the enormous economic benefits that this crime generates."

The growing use of internet and digital technologies

has increased the criminals' ability to recruit and traffic victims.

The EU is concerned that Covid-19 and the economic downturn,

unemployment and migration will increase the risks

of human trafficking for the most vulnerable.

MEPs are calling for even more transnational cooperation

and want to improve the rules for the prevention

and prosecution of all forms of trafficking in the EU.