On October 16, 2026, the European Commission presented a new strategy to combat human trafficking within the European Union. The announcement was prompted by a significant increase in registered victims: in 2023 and 2024, there were more than 20,000 cases, representing a 16.1% increase from the previous period. The Commission emphasizes that the actual scale of the problem is likely considerably higher, as many cases of human trafficking remain undetected. According to the agency, human trafficking takes various forms—sexual exploitation, forced labor, involvement in criminal activities, begging, and forced marriage. The new strategy aims to strengthen coordination between EU member states, improve the effectiveness of victim identification, and tighten prosecution of those responsible for organizing such crimes. The European Commission notes that combating this phenomenon requires a comprehensive approach, including prevention, protection of victims, and international cooperation among law enforcement agencies. The new strategy is expected to increase public awareness of the problem and improve mechanisms for assisting victims of human trafficking within the European Union.