Combatting trafficking in human beings in a digital age

At the EMN France National Conference, various methods and targeted measures aimed at combatting trafficking in human beings were discussed. An increasing number of third-country nationals are identified as victims of trafficking in human beings within EU countries. There is a clear shift in human trafficking towards digital platforms, which requires new methods and tools to combat. The need for increased cooperation between authorities and private actors was also highlighted. Experts from the Swedish Migration Agency participated in order to share knowledge and exchange experience.

The conference entitled “Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings at EU and National Levels” took place on 2 October 2025 in Paris. Experts from the Swedish Migration Agency attended to share knowledge and exchange experience. The conference was linked to the EMN study “Trafficking in human beings – the international dimension”, which was published in the summer. The European Commission was present and highlighted the joint European initiative – a new EU Anti-Trafficking Hub – which was launched in June 2025.

European perspective

Experts from Germany, the Netherlands and Italy presented their national systems for combatting human trafficking. In the Netherlands, the focus is on combatting trafficking in human beings that takes place on digital platforms. In Germany, the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings has been based at the German Institute for Human Rights since 2022. Germany does not have a formalised National Referral Mechanism (NRM), but there are cooperation agreements between various actors and between several federal states.

Increasing number of third-country nationals are victims of trafficking in human beings

Speakers at the conference noted that an increasing number of third-country nationals have been identified as victims of trafficking in human beings within EU countries. The same has been true in Sweden for several years. These insights include the fact that more victims are being identified as the scale of human trafficking has increased, whilst at the same time countries have improved their capacity to identify these victims.

Shift of trafficking in human beings to digital platforms

A growing proportion of human trafficking and exploitation now also takes place online. This situation demands new methods and tools to combat this type of crime. In Sweden, the Gender Equality Agency is organising its annual conference on the theme of trafficking in human beings in the digital age.

Increased necessity of collaboration with private sector actors

There is a further need for increased cooperation between public authorities and private actors as human trafficking and exploitation often take place in locations (accommodation) rented out for short periods by commercial operators.