Internet, and information communication technology (ICT) more generally, play a major role in shaping our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare the extent to which the Internet and ICTs are now integral to a variety of activities and social interactions – and it has accelerated their relevance. The criminal landscape is no exception – and this extends to trafficking in human beings (THB).

There is little doubt that technology poses challenges – as well as opportunities – to law enforcement and NGOs alike. At the same time, the evidence base on online and technology- facilitated THB remains limited and patchy. At the moment, the best evidence available comes from a rather small set of studies, typically based on a small number of interviews with police officers and NGO personnel – often carried out in a very limited number of countries – as well as from a handful of reports from international organisations. This study moves beyond anecdotal evidence by offering an analysis of online and technology-facilitated THB based on evidence systematically collected from State Parties to the Council of Europe (CoE) Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Such evidence has been supplemented with information from NGOs providing assistance to THB victims as well as tech companies.

The scope of the present study is rather broad. It offers an assessment of the extent to which technology impacts THB as well as an exploration of the traffickers’ modus operandi in the context of online and technology-facilitated THB. At the core of this study is an exploration of the operational and legal challenges that State Parties – and to some extent NGOs – face in detecting, investigating and prosecuting online and ICT-facilitated THB, as well as identifying victims and raising awareness among at-risk groups. Crucially, the study also explores the strategies, tools and ‘good practices’ adopted by State Parties and NGOs to overcome such challenges and enhance their response to online and technology-facilitated THB. This work teases out similarities across countries as well as country-specific experiences. Particular emphasis is placed on training – as investments in human capital are as important as those in technical tools.

Online and technology-facilitated trafficking in human beings: Summary and recommendations - Council of Europe & Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), March 2022 DOWNLOAD

post

page

attachment

revision

nav_menu_item

custom_css

customize_changeset

oembed_cache

user_request

wp_block

wp_template

wp_template_part

wp_global_styles

wp_navigation

wp_font_family

wp_font_face

acf-taxonomy

acf-post-type

acf-field-group

acf-field

ai1ec_event

exactmetrics_note

Guide of Promising Practices
Guidance

Starting from the identification of gaps and barriers in the effective protection of trafficked persons, the guide shares promising existing practices in line with a coherent referral to the most appropriate channel of protection securing their righ...Read More

Aggravating circumstances: How coronavirus impacts human trafficking
COVID-19 resourcesNews & AnalysisGuidanceGraphics & InfographicsPublications

Authors: Livia Wagner, Thi Hoang The policy brief was originally posted here on GI-TOC website, as part of its #CovidCrimeWatch initiative. The coronavirus is not only claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, but is also causing a global econo...Read More

TAGS: Global
Human Trafficking in America’s Schools
GuidancePublications

This guide provides an introduction of human trafficking for educators.  The guide discusses risk factors, indicators of human trafficking, the impact on the learning environment, school protocols, and resources for school staff. ...Read More

Respecting Human Rights – Organisational Capacity Assessment Instrument (OCAI)
Guidance

This Organisational Capacity Assessment Instrument (OCAI) is intended to help you assess and improve your company’s management capacity to manage its human rights impacts. The OCAI consists of a self-assessment questionnaire with 22 questions cent...Read More

TAGS: