Recent European studies show an alarming increase in trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Europe and the perpetrators are constantly finding new ways of exploiting children amplifying the cross-sectoral nature of human trafficking. The new EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings 2021-2025 particularly highlights the importance of proactive early identification and cross-sectoral collaboration among frontline officers, such as border guards, police officers, social workers and civil society organizations, as well as the role of Internet service providers.
The recently released EU strategy on the rights of the child 2021- 2024 also emphasizes the importance of improved identification of child victims of trafficking and sexual abuse to ensure an EU where the justice system upholds the rights and needs of children victims of this horrendous crime. During the seminar a variety of viewpoints will be presented to enhance our collective understanding of how trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Europe is happening and how victim identification can be improved, especially from the perspective of organizations across Europe working directly with child victims. We will also discuss the cross-national aspect of child trafficking and sexual exploitation and how to improve outreach efforts and identification of victims and children at risk. We will also discuss recent policy developments in this field and how to ensure effective implementation to stop trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Europe. Participating is: Mr. Emilio Puccio, Coordinator of the European Parliament Intergroup on Children's Rights MEP Evin Incir (Sweden, S&D), Vice-Chair of the Intergroup on Children's Rights MEP Milan Brlgez (Slovenia, S&D), Vice-Chair of the Intergroup on Children's Rights MEP Ramona Strugariu (Romania, Renew Europe) Mr. Olivier Onidi, acting EU anti-trafficking coordinator, European Commission Ms. Anna Ekstedt, Swedish Ambassador at Large for Combating Trafficking in Persons, on behalf of the OSCE Mr Jari Liukku, Head of the Serious Organised Crime centre, Europol. Mr. Duco Van Heel, Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, Frontex And all of the Child10 Awarded Members of 2021: ASTRA from Serbia eLiberare from Romania Ellencentret from Sweden Footprint to Freedom from The Netherlands Iroko Onlus from Italy lightup International from Germany, Austria and Norway MARTA Centre from Latvia Novahuset from Sweden Novi Put from Bosnia-Herzegovina Vatra from Albania
