Commission sets out new strategy on combating trafficking in human beings

European Commission Press release Brussels, 16 Oct 2026 Today, the European Commission sets out a new strategy to combat trafficking in human beings. In 2023 and 2024, more than 20,000 victims were registered in the EU, a 16.1% increase, though many cases remain unseen. Trafficking takes many forms, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced criminality, begging and forced marriage.