© UNODC / Laura Gil
30 July
by Lydia Chaillou, UNO-Komitee UNESCO and Zonta Club Meaux
1. What is the World Day against Trafficking in Persons?
The World Day against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on 30 July, was established by the UN General Assembly to raise awareness about the plight of trafficking victims and to promote and protect their rights. It calls for global action to combat human trafficking in all its forms—whether for sexual exploitation, forced labor, organ removal, or other abuses. This day encourages international cooperation to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
2. The 2025 Theme
The World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2025 focuses on the theme ‘Human trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation.’ Human trafficking remains a severe global threat, with over 200,000 detected victims from 2020-2023, representing only a fraction of actual cases.
Organized criminal networks exploit migration, supply chains, and digital platforms for cross-border trafficking, profiting from forced labor, sexual exploitation, and criminal activities. While some progress has been made, stronger law enforcement responses are needed, including stricter laws, proactive investigations, international cooperation, and technology use to dismantle trafficking networks.
3. Key Statistics & Global Trends | Did you know?
© Report on TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 2024 | United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
- 38% of detected victims in 2022 were children (22% girls, 16% boys). Since 2019, child detections have increased by 31 %, including a 38 % rise for girls.
- 61% of all victims are women and girls.
- Forced labor is the most common form of trafficking in Africa and Asia. Forced labor detections surged by 47 % since 2019, now accounting for 42 % of victims. Sexual exploitation now represents 36 % of identified cases.
- Sexual exploitation remains predominant in Europe and the Americas.
- Nearly 50% of trafficking cases occur within a country’s borders.
74,785 victims from 162 nationalities were detected in 128 destination countries, spanning 436 cross-border trafficking flows.
- Only 17% of convictions relate to forced labor, despite its prevalence.
- Global detections rose 25 % in 2022 compared to 2019 and 43 % compared to 2020, reversing the pandemic-era decline.
- 74 % of traffickers are linked to organized crime groups, which tend to exploit a larger number of victims per case compared to individuals.
- Convictions rose 36 % between 2020 and 2022, yet only 17 % concern forced labor, revealing a significant justice gap.
Regions showing strong detection recoveries post-COVID include Sub-Saharan Africa, North America, and Western Europe, while East Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East remain below 2019 levels
© un.org
4. Challenges
- Underreporting and lack of victim identification, especially in forced labor cases.
- Rise in child trafficking underscores the need for stronger protection systems.
- Gaps in law enforcement: low prosecution rates, insufficient penalties.
- Lack of long-term support: psychological care, reintegration programs are scarce.
- Increasing use of online platforms to recruit and exploit victims.
5. Ongoing Actions & Good Practices
- UNODC and the EU call for renewed efforts to end child trafficking and Coordinate global anti-trafficking efforts via the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons
- The UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking supports NGOs providing legal aid, housing, and vocational training.
- Countries are increasingly adopting legislation in line with the Palermo Protocol.
- Grassroots awareness campaigns, hotline services, and school outreach efforts are being deployed.
- Development of digital tools and data analysis platforms (GLOTIP) to track trends and responses.
Final Message
Trafficking in persons is a heinous violation of human rights affecting millions globally. The World Day against Trafficking in Persons serves as a powerful reminder of the need for strong action, not only on paper but also in practice. Governments, civil society, and individuals all have a role to play in ending trafficking. Improved victim services, effective prosecutions, and community awareness are essential to stop this crime and protect the vulnerable.
6. UNODC’s Role and Current Global Response
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), a comprehensive response to human trafficking involves three interconnected pillars:
prevention – protection – prosecution
UNODC works with member states to strengthen legal frameworks, build investigative and prosecutorial capacities, and provide assistance to victims. This includes support for national referral mechanisms, cross-border cooperation, and victim-centered approaches.
The organization also gathers and disseminates global data through the GLOTIP platform and supports frontline responses via technical tools and the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking.
A coordinated, victim-centered, and data-driven global response is essential to combat this complex and evolving crime.
© unodc.org
