Objectives

The main objective of the project is 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 will be debated and assessed. This will particularly be 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 will also be examined. Prevention initiatives, including reducing the demand for trafficking, will also be looked at and placed within the wider context of the culture of impunity that prevails regarding both perpetrators and users. The seminars will place 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.

• Presenting and analysing measures, tools and methodologies aimed at intensifying
  • investigations, including financial and intelligence-lead investigations
  • prosecutions in the area of THB, ensuring that the knowledge of tools for evidence-gathering for increasing prosecutions and convictions is enhanced amongst practitioners, while reducing reliance on victim’s testimonies.
• Improving cooperation through capacity building, including workshops on setting up joint investigation teams.
• Enhancing cross-border law enforcement and judicial operations, including cross-border cooperation and investigations.
• Assisting in reducing cyber-enabled THB and better use of technology to prevent and combat trafficking.
• Exchanging best practice and expertise regarding prosecutions and convictions in the area of THB, including in view of criminalising the use of services exacted from victims of THB. This will take the main identified patterns into account and be tailored to develop skills and knowledge on various forms of exploitation, especially the changing modus operandi when it comes to trafficking, as well as the specific profile of victims, with a focus on vulnerable groups, in particular women and children.
• Increasing reach-out via multi-disciplinary training courses on THB, including common events for the police, judiciary and national competent authorities and civil society.
• Enhancing knowledge and training offered via workshops during each seminar, as well as online training modules.
• Facilitating the involvement of civil society in the prevention of THB by untangling the trafficking chain.