Objectives

The main objective of the project was to train some 300 EU practitioners (mainly judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, financial and compliance officers and members of civil society/NGOs) in how to effectively counter THB from a perspective that encourages better cooperation between Member States. European legislation, standards and forms of cooperation that are applied in the field of THB were debated and assessed. This was particularly done in relation to intensifying investigations, including intelligence-lead ones, and prosecutions to dismantle the trafficking chain. Moreover, financial investigations into THB and disrupting the business model of criminals were also examined. Prevention initiatives, including reducing the demand for trafficking, was also looked at and placed within the wider context of the culture of impunity that prevails regarding both perpetrators and users. The seminars placed the three main elements of investigations and prosecutions, financial investigations and prevention initiatives and impunity within the greater context of various forms of THB, i.e. sexual exploitation and labour exploitation.