In principle, anyone can be affected by trafficking in human beings, regardless of nationality, gender, or age. At the same time, certain circumstances and factors increase the risk of trafficking in human beings. These include individual vulnerability and structural factors that make people more susceptible. Flight and migration can also increase the risk of trafficking in human beings. In addition, digitalization and the internet have created new opportunities for perpetrators to recruit and control affected persons, while also creating new challenges for combating trafficking in human beings.

People can from the for a wide variety of reasons in exploitative situations advised. Both personal, individual circumstances as well as structural and societal factors can lead to people exposed to higher risk are affected by Trafficking in Human Beings to become.

Individual vulnerability can be caused, for example, by:

• acute economic crises (for example, debt, costs of medical treatment, unemployment)
• lack of opportunity to secure one's livelihood
• lack of language skills
• lack of legal knowledge
• no access to the healthcare system or legal advice
• Escape
• Discrimination based on gender, disability or belonging to an ethnic minority

People with little money or language skills, who also experience discrimination or violence, are therefore more likely to be affected by Trafficking in Human Beings will be defined as individuals with assets and a stable income, as well as good knowledge of the local language and a clear understanding of the legal situation.

Furthermore, there is on the structural, i.e., the societal and political level These are also factors that make it difficult for people to protect themselves well from Trafficking in Human Beings can protect them. These are:

• social crises and economic instability (for example, due to pandemics, climate change, wars or global financial crises)
• social and economic inequality
• Lack of prospects in the country of origin
• Restrictive access to the labor market
• Exclusionary asylum and migration policy
• Lack of law enforcement and impunity

Structural and individual factors are often mutually dependent, intertwined, or mutually reinforcing. One example of this is the gender-specific aspect of Trafficking in Human BeingsWomen and TIN* people are particularly affected by sexual exploitation – firstly due to discrimination based on their gender, but also due to structural disadvantages that more frequently lead to economic hardship. sexualized or intimate partner violence and forced marriage Women and transgender people (TIN*) are primarily affected. Due to a lack of protection and support while fleeing, they face an increased risk of abuse and violence. Sexualized and gender-based violence is recognized by international human rights instruments as one of the most serious and widespread human rights violations.

Children They also belong to the particularly vulnerable groups, as they are in special dependency situations, rely on a person to care for them, and are more helpless.

Although Trafficking in Human Beings and exploitation While these factors are not necessarily linked to migration, this is often the case in practice.Migrants often find themselves in precarious situations that highlight their vulnerability. Trafficking in Human Beings and can increase exploitation.

People are in Particularly vulnerable in war zones, crisis areas, and during flight.to be exploited. Trafficking in Human Beings Exploitation and persecution sometimes occur in the country of origin, but often also during flight, migration, and/or in the destination country. Gender-specific persecution exists when the reason for or the nature of the persecution is linked to a person's gender or sexual orientation.

Many sectors in which migrants work in the destination country are characterized by the fact that they contribute to informal economy which are often characterized by unregulated employment, low pay and difficult working conditions.
Factors that exploit and Trafficking in Human Beings can promote:

Trafficked persons Trafficking in Human Beings Under the EU Reception Directive, people from third countries are considered to be in particular need of protection.This results in specific rights in the asylum procedure, such as adequate accommodation and special provision of services in medical and therapeutic care. 

The topic digital violence It is increasingly gaining ground in social, political, and official awareness. Specific forms such as technology-supported Trafficking in Human Beings While already perceived as the most important development, they also represent both Law enforcement agencies and the support system face major challenges.These companies generally lack both the necessary technical equipment and the required IT expertise to respond appropriately to these developments.

Communication and information technologies and digital infrastructures are also having an ever-increasing influence on Trafficking in Human BeingsDevelopments in this area, particularly on the part of perpetrators, are happening quickly and dynamically.

One aspect of this is that the Recruitment via the internet has been greatly facilitated for perpetrators. will. Through Social media platforms and messaging services Human traffickers can drastically increase their reach with relatively little effort. They can more easily contact people even at great distances and more easily overcome language barriers using translation software. Furthermore, internet and communication technologies can be used to, for example, monitor victims during the exploitation phase. to closely monitor via smartphones or to threaten. This also applies beyond the immediate situation of exploitation. 

There is an urgent need to expand capacities and capabilities for the prosecution and investigation of crimes with a digital component. This is especially true in the area of... digital forensics Additional expertise is required. 

A detailed study by the KOK on the influence of the internet and social media on Trafficking in Human Beings see here.

 About the project Trafficking in Human Beings 2.0