The heads of ten EU Agencies have renewed their commitment of 2011 to continue to work together and address trafficking in human beings. The Agencies acknowledge the importance of taking a consolidated and coordinated approach to tackle the phenomenon, together with the Office of the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. In a joint statement issued yesterday, they commit to several measures, including countering a culture of impunity for perpetrators, focusing on prevention, and ensuring a gender-specific and child-sensitive approach. Read more here.

Trafficking for sexual exploitation is the most prevalent form of trafficking in human beings. In the European Union, 95 per cent of registered victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation are women or girls. Many of these victims are EU nationals.

In October of this year, EIGE, in cooperation with the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator's Office, will publish a report that analyses the extent to which the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive and the Victims' Rights Directive have the potential to fully protect and assist women and girls who have been victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.