Trafficking in human beings is a massive phenomenon of modern-day slavery, which sees millions of individuals deprived of their liberty and freedom of choice, exploited with coercive andabusive means for a variety of purposes ranging from sexual and labour exploitation, to forced criminality and to the removal of organs or any other illicit lucrative form of exploitation.1Very few receive assistance and protection as victims of a serious crime; more often they are arrested, detained and charged with immigration offences, for soliciting prostitution or engaging in illegal work, making false statements or they are fined for violations of administrative laws and regulations.
This publication presents the first report at the EU level on statistics on trafficking in human beings. It includes data for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The EU and its Member States have selected trafficking in human beings as one of the priority areas in the fight against organised crime. This resulted in the adoption by the Council and the European Parliament of Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims and the adoption by the Commission on 19 June 2012 of the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016, endorsed via Council Conclusions by the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 25 October 2012.
The Russian language manual provides an in-depth analysis of the current human trafficking situation and covers practical measures that are being undertaken to prevent trafficking and protect its victims. It also emphasizes the need to respect victims' rights, recognize their vulnerable position, apply ethical and victim-centred approaches, and minimize stigmatization.
From December 2009 to December 2012, the COMP.ACT project worked to bring about systematic and practical changes to ensure that trafficked persons receive compensation for their suffering and unpaid labour. Partners in 13 countries conducted research on the existing possibilities and the identification of obstacles in systems and procedures that prevent those trafficked from accessing compensation. The partners formed national coalitions on compensation, and presented recommendations to ensure access to justice for trafficked persons. Several partners have engaged with lawyers to support their clients in compensation claims and with law firms to inform the legal community on the right to compensation. COMP.ACT partners have supported over 50 trafficked persons in claiming compensation, with the highest amount granted being € 54 000. Internationally, the COMP.ACT awareness-raising campaign contributed to the inclusion of compensation in the anti-trafficking agenda of intergovernmental organisations. For example, compensation is now covered by the EU Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting the victims EU/2011/36 and the in The EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012 - 2016. The COMP.ACT report presents the Findings and Results of the European Action for Compensation for Trafficked Persons.