Victim Support Europe has submitted recommendations to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on the upcoming EU Strategy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (2026–2030), calling for a shift from strong legal commitments to consistent, rights-based implementation.
Despite comprehensive EU legislation, many victims still face conditional access to support, unsafe reporting pathways, and inconsistent application of key safeguards such as the non-punishment principle. These gaps undermine protection and leave victims exposed to further harm.
Key recommendations from our submission include:
Guarantee unconditional access to support and protection from the earliest possible moment — without tying it to cooperation with criminal investigations.
- Establish safe reporting mechanisms with strong firewalls between victim protection and immigration enforcement, and expand reporting routes beyond law enforcement.
- Apply the non-punishment principle consistently, so victims aren’t treated as offenders for crimes they were compelled to commit.
- Strengthen referral systems and coordination, including well-funded National Referral Mechanisms with civil society at the centre.
- Ensure effective access to compensation and justice, including redirecting fines and confiscated assets towards victim remedies.
