Study on the assessment of the extent of different types of Trafficking in Human Beings in EU countries

This study provides the first comprehensive overview of publicly available data on trafficking in human beings in 17 EU Member States. At the same time the study also contextualises the data presented, keeping reference to the primary sources and underlying definitions. Statistical data at hand are analysed from a comparative perspective in respect to developments over a period of time, inter-institutional differences, as well as differences regarding various stages of the legal proceeding related to trafficking in human beings (see chapter 6: country reports).

This multidimensional approach enables comparison also across countries in regard to the extent of trafficking in human beings in a wider European space but does not loose sight of the limitations to data comparability. The study finally provides different scenarios on the (minimum and maximum) total extent and on the extent of the different types of trafficking in human beings in each of the 17 countries covered and for all of the 17 countries together (see chapter 2: comparative analysis).

These scenarios are based on 4 categories of available data, i.e. identified victims, investigations, indictments and convictions. The 4 categories corresponds to the 4 stages in which EU Member States process trafficking of human beings, i.e. the identification of victims of trafficking undertaken by NGOs or national police forces, investigations by police or judicial authorities, indictments and convictions in courts.

To gain a realistic picture on the extent of trafficking in human beings, the comparative analysis examines the differences between the various stages of legal proceedings in a comparative European perspective, and analyses available data with regard to minimum and maximum scenarios on victims and perpetrators of trafficking in human beings.