News item | 18-10-2023 | 10:00
Human trafficking is one of the most degrading forms of crime and a gross violation of human rights. That is why today, on European Day against Human Trafficking, the government is sending the updated program Together against Human Trafficking to the House. In this program, municipalities, police, Public Prosecution Service, healthcare partners, NGOs and various ministries make a joint stand against human trafficking. The government makes 2 million euros available for this every year.
Better awareness
Human trafficking is not sufficiently recognized in society and is often closer than you think. Think of someone who is forced to have sex online or someone who works in degrading conditions. We must therefore ensure that, for example, teachers or healthcare workers who encounter signs of human trafficking in their work better recognize human trafficking. Because if they see and report signals earlier, action can be taken sooner. That is why we use campaigns to increase knowledge about human trafficking.
Increase willingness to report
It should become clearer where you can find information about human trafficking and where you can report it. We are therefore going to work on a central information point about human trafficking. By making reporting easier, the number of reports of human trafficking should also increase.
Care for victims
Care for victims of human trafficking is improved. Victims now too often fall through the cracks and do not receive the right help. For example, because it is unclear what help is provided where. That is why we are working on a clear overview of shelter and assistance for victims in each region. This way, every victim can receive the right care.
Better cooperation
Organizations involved in tackling human trafficking must work better together. That is why we are working on a more clear working method. For example, by 2026 there must be a chain director in every region with the same tasks. These people are a spider in the web when it comes to human trafficking and, for example, bring the police, the Public Prosecution Service and the ministry together to tackle human trafficking.
Share data better
Too often, signals about human trafficking cannot be shared with different organizations. For example, due to restrictions and uncertainty about sharing personal data. That is why new agreements are being made so that data can be shared better.
Creation
The Together against Human Trafficking program was developed in part by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.