Revision of Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims

Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims is the benchmark legislation on the fight against trafficking in human beings (human trafficking) at EU level. It is part of a broader policy framework that entails a range of measures aimed at the prevention and prosecution of trafficking in human beings, as well as protection from and establishment of partnerships against this practice. Despite progress in implementing those measures, trafficking in human beings remains a highly lucrative crime, affecting thousands of individuals, primarily women and girls who are trafficked for sexual exploitation. New digital technologies are widely used to reach out to potential victims and users. Traffickers remain largely unpunished, as do the users of services from victims of trafficking, despite the European Commission and the European Parliament repeatedly calling for the criminalisation of those knowingly using such services. Their impunity has raised increasing concerns about the effectiveness of the directive, and there have been calls for its revision to reinforce existing measures while addressing potential gaps and reducing disparities between EU Member States' systems. This implementation appraisal looks at the practical implementation of the directive in light of the expected Commission proposal for its revision.