Child Trafficking in Austria REPORT BY THE WORKING GROUP ON CHILD TRAFFICKING UNDER THE TASK FORCE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

In order to be able to give more detailed consideration to the complex topic of child trafficking, the Task Force on Human Trafficking suggested that a separate working group on child trafficking be established. Under the “National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking (NAP-HT)” (item 1.5.) it was subsequently decided to set up relevant working groups on demand, such as the Working Group on Child Trafficking.

As child trafficking is only a facet of human trafficking, the other relevant measures included in the National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking (NAP-HT) are also important for combating trafficking in children. An overview of the measures taken and activities to be launched by Austria in the fight against human trafficking is provided by the First Austrian Report on Combating Human Trafficking (First Austrian Report covering the period from March 2007 to February 2009), which was prepared by the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs in accordance with item 7.1 of the National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking (NAP-HT).

Cases in which children are clearly identified as victims of trafficking usually involve children from South East Europe (inter alia from Bulgaria and Romania) but also from Asian and African countries who are sold by their parents – mostly under false pretences – to human traffickers. These abuse and exploit underage minors/children (the age of criminal responsibility in Austria is 14 years) and young persons/ children of age (14 to 18 years) and force them to engage in various activities in Austria, including begging, theft and pickpocketing, prostitution and other types of forced labour, or they make a profit in adoption trafficking or marriage brokerage of minors.