On EU Anti-Trafficking Day, EU must consider 'bigger picture’ of global child trafficking, says World Vision

On the occasion of the EU Anti-Trafficking Day (18 October), development organisation World Vision is calling on the EU leaders to not only focus on measures to reduce the number of trafficking victims in the EU but also consider the ‘bigger picture’ of this globally organised crime against humanity, particularly child trafficking.

“While the number of child trafficking victims identified in the EU is alarming and still rising, that number is almost insignificant when compared to the number of children who fall victim to human trafficking on a global scale,” observes World Vision’s EU representative Marius Wanders.

The Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2012 (UN Office for Drugs and Crime) reports that at least 136 different nationalities were trafficked and detected in 118 different countries. While European and Central Asian countries report that 16% of detected victims are children, in Africa and the Middle East a staggering 68% of trafficking victims were children.
 
“One of the most worrying trends highlighted by the report is the increase in child victims,” said Wanders. According to the report, child victims have increased from 20% (2003-2006) to 27% (2007-2010).

“In June 2012, the European Commission adopted the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings (2012-2016). This EU strategy also clearly recognizes and prioritizes the fight against child trafficking,” Wanders added.

“While it is laudable that the EU makes efforts to enhance protection of and assistance to children trafficked within and towards the EU, the EU – as a self-proclaimed global ‘champion’ for justice and development – cannot turn a blind eye to the millions of children who are trafficked outside the borders and jurisdiction of the EU. World Vision and many other international development organisations expect the EU to ‘see the bigger picture’ of global child trafficking and to act accordingly,” he concluded.

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