Every four years, Europol publishes a wide-ranging analysis of the current state of serious and organised crime in Europe. This report also covers trafficking in human beings as a phenomenon and traces the development of the various forms of exploitation in recent years.
Europol assumes a significant dark field in the area of trafficking in human beings and reports a strong increase in the area of labour exploitation. The continuing need for low-wage workers, who are used both seasonally and year-round and are often exploited, will continue. In addition, Europol sees trafficking in human beings as a growing problem area in which the internet plays an increasing role. For example, the use of Internet sites to offer sexual services by criminal networks is already a basic component of sexual exploitation. Recruitment for the purpose of criminal acts, exploitation of begging and trafficking in children also take place predominantly online, where vulnerable persons are particularly at risk.
Irregular migrants are also increasingly affected by trafficking in human beings. In many cases, trafficked persons are smuggled irregularly across borders and then have to pay horrendous costs for the services provided. In other cases, criminal networks target migrants who are already in the EU irregularly and force them to work under highly exploitative conditions.
