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Trafficking in human beings

Trafficking in human beings is defined by three main elements: action, means and purpose. 

  • Action refers to what is done. This includes recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving a person.
  • Means refers to how it is done. Traffickers often use threats, force, coercion, deception (lover-boy method), abuse of power or take advantage of someone’s vulnerability to control them.
  • Purpose refers to why it is done. The aim is always to exploit the person, for example through forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced begging, domestic servitude, illegal adoption, forced marriage or trafficking for the purpose of surrogacy. 

The presence of all three elements usually indicates a potential situation of trafficking in human beings.

Member States must take into account the specific situation of applicants with special reception needs (Article 24 RCD (2024)). They must also consider that certain categories of applicants are more likely to have such needs. Among others, victims of trafficking in human beings are explicitly mentioned as a category that may require special reception conditions.

Member States must ensure that applicants who have experienced trafficking in human beings, torture, rape or other serious forms of violence, including acts motivated by gender, race or religion, receive the medical and psychological care they need. This includes access to rehabilitation services and counselling to support their recovery. 

Where necessary, applicants must receive oral translation to help them understand the information and communicate effectively with service providers (Article 28 RCD (2024)).

Member States should take into account the specific vulnerability of victims of trafficking in human beings who may require international protection. This is in accordance with the revised anti-trafficking directive 2024/1712/EU. During the asylum procedure, these applicants should be provided with appropriate procedural safeguards and special reception support to ensure that their needs are properly identified and addressed (recital 19 anti-trafficking directive).

Member States must ensure coordination and complementarity between the authorities responsible for anti-trafficking measures and those managing asylum procedures (Article 11(a) anti-trafficking directive). 

Support for victims of trafficking in human beings should guarantee adequate living conditions that ensure their basic needs are met. Shelters and temporary housing should create conditions that support trafficking victims’ recovery and reintegration, helping them move towards independent living. These facilities must also address the specific needs of children, ensuring their safety, well-being and development. (Article 11(5) and Article 11(5)(a) anti-trafficking directive). 

National referral mechanisms should be in place to enable the early detection and identification of victims of trafficking in human being and their timely referral to appropriate protection, assistance, and support services, through a transparent, accessible, and harmonised framework involving competent national authorities (recital 15 anti-trafficking directive).

The EUAA Operational Standards and Indicators on Reception including Vulnerability-related Aspects, 2026, emphasise the requirement for Member States to consider the special needs of applicants. This includes ensuring appropriate accommodation and support for victims of human trafficking, such as placement in specialised facilities, security measures, healthcare access, and tailored information. 

Any measures taken for vulnerable applicants should be clearly communicated to them through targeted information provision messages in reception facilities. Applicants in vulnerable situations should be referred for further assessment and/or adequate support. In cases of potential victims of trafficking in human beings, the applicant should be referred to the national referral mechanism for victims of trafficking in human beings in strict accordance with the national guidelines (Standard 143, p. 188-189).

Information provision messages

Providing applicants with information on trafficking in human beings increases their awareness of risks, warning signs and available protection measures. It also helps potential victims of trafficking in human beings recognise and understand their own experiences and access appropriate support services. Trafficking in human beings can occur at any stage of displacement, including within reception systems, and may involve different actors, including family members, acquaintances, informal networks or criminal groups. By explaining traffickers’ tactics, victims’ rights and the assistance available in a clear and accessible way, reception staff empower applicants to protect themselves and reduce the risk of exploitation and trafficking in human beings during their stay in reception.

Inform applicants about the following.

  • What trafficking in human beings means by providing some examples. Explain that trafficking in human beings is a serious crime and a violation of human rights and that victims are never responsible for the exploitation they experience. 
  • The indicators and potential signs of trafficking in human being, for example being afraid of somebody, feeling forced to do unwanted things (such as forced begging, forced prostitution, forced labour, or forced domestic work, forced criminality), deprivation of identification documents, being promised something that it is far too good to be true, and hence being misled, debt bondage, and being controlled by others, for better understanding of how trafficking in human beings can manifest in practice.
  • Victims of trafficking in human beings might not identify themselves as such; recognising the signs and the indicators can take time. 
  • What the referral mechanism for trafficking in human beings is, specifying that no referral or sharing of personal data will take place without the applicant’s informed consent. 
  • The available specialised services inside and outside reception, through referral. Examples include shelters, temporary housing, psychosocial support, healthcare, peer support groups, legal aid and protection from retaliation.
  • The available form of protection under national law for victims of trafficking as well as any temporary protection arrangements available.
  • The procedure in place for victims of trafficking to access rehabilitation services, including means of transportation and assistance during the appointment. 
  • The possibility to request an interpreter to facilitate communication with service providers, including of the same gender, if available. 
  • The reporting mechanism, the importance of using it and the guarantees (e.g. consent, confidentiality, data protection). 
  • The relevant non-governmental and international organisations that may provide additional information and support for victims of trafficking. 

Inform applicants about the following regarding the risk of exposure to trafficking in human beings while on the move. 

  • The increased risk of trafficking in human beings during displacement and travel.
  • Using smugglers can lead to trafficking, including situations of debt bondage or forced prostitution and/or forced labour.
  • Explain that people on the move and especially unaccompanied children, single women, persons with disabilities and applicants with limited social networks are more exposed to exploitation because they may feel uncertain, have limited resources or depend on others for transport or accommodation.
  • The consequences of following advice from smugglers who may try to persuade them to move to another country. This can seriously damage their chances of receiving international protection, while the smuggler profits from extra payments.
  • The risk of travelling with people who ask to hold their travel documents. Anyone who insists on keeping the applicant’s passport or ID may be trying to control their movement, which is a common tactic used in trafficking.
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Practical tips

  • Provide very clear and to-the-point information using simple language. Involve other stakeholders in providing specialised information to applicants, such as specialised non-governmental organisations, local police and anti-trafficking governmental agencies. Make these sessions as interactive as possible (e.g. real-life examples, time for Q&A).
  • Organise group sessions on some topics including trafficking in human beings to ensure a safe space for questions: use same gender groups, keep groups to a single language to avoid multiple interpreters and offer individual sessions where needed. 
  • Use visual aids (posters, infographics, videos, animations) to reinforce spoken information, make complex content clearer and more engaging (particularly for applicants with limited literacy or comprehension) and ensure cultural mediators are present to support culturally sensitive communication. See also the other sections on special needs for more information on communication channels and methods to convey information to applicants with special needs. 
  • Repeatedly deliver simple, consistent messages in the reception facility using. authorised sources. Use multiple channels and ensure easy access to them. This helps counter misinformation and disinformation about trafficking in human beings. 
  • Pay special attention to the gender of the person providing information as well as to the gender of the interpreter, especially when organising separate information sessions for women and men. 
  • Ensure privacy and security by conducting counselling in private, using qualified interpreters, limiting data access to authorised staff and securely storing all personal records.
  • Communicate with victims of sexual exploitation in a calm, respectful and non-judgemental way, ensuring privacy and safety. Use simple, empathetic language and let them share at their own pace. Clearly explain the available medical and psychological support, including confidential testing and treatment. Ensure they understand their rights and that all assistance is provided to protect their well-being.