In the beginning of November, it was time for the EU’s autumn conference and meetings for civil society organizations and national rapporteurs in Brussels. The Commission and the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator hosted the events, but the country holding the presidency left its mark. This term, the presidency was held by Spain, a country that in… Read more »
EU
EU negotiates: high time to address online brothels
In 2023, the EU faces a crossroads with a chance to strengthen its work against trafficking. Europe remains divided on views of prostitution, and many stakeholders aim to influence the EU’s anti-trafficking efforts, as these two harmful phenomena are closely interconnected. The shared tool is the EU’s 2011 anti-trafficking directive, which introduced a holistic approach… Read more »
International Conference Against Demand in Stockholm
As part of Sweden’s presidency in the EU, a two-day conference on human trafficking was held on March 29-30, focusing on addressing the demand that drives exploitation. The conference brought together European ministers, delegates, experts from civil society, representatives from international organizations, and survivors to discuss models that can be used to prevent human trafficking… Read more »
Debate article in Dagens Arena: Open letter to the Government of Sweden from the world’s abolitionist women’s organizations
On March 29-30, Sweden, as the EU’s presiding country, gathers European ministers, delegates, and experts in Stockholm for a two-day conference on human trafficking. We, women’s organizations from various countries, welcome the Swedish government’s pledge to intensify the work of preventing and combating prostitution and human trafficking within and beyond Sweden’s borders. Human trafficking is… Read more »
EU Directive Revisions Insufficient to Meet Goals
The EU’s 2011 Anti-Trafficking Directive1 has been instrumental in preventing and addressing human trafficking across Europe. Following an evaluation, the European Commission proposed on December 19, 2022, a strengthening of these regulations, aiming to equip law enforcement and judicial bodies with enhanced tools to investigate and prosecute emerging forms of exploitation. The Commission’s proposal includes,… Read more »
Auction Against Trafficking – Feel free to donate something, together we can make a difference
As autumn arrives, it’s the perfect time to clear out your closet. Maybe find a new home for that unused lamp in the corner? Many of us have things tucked away in our wardrobes or attics – nice items we just don’t use. This past June, with the support of Therése Lindgren, Linda Pira, Otto… Read more »
New OSCE Report Focuses on Demand as a Root Cause of Sexual Exploitation
In June 2021, the OSCE released the important report Discouraging the Demand that Fosters Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation. Unlike similar reports from intergovernmental organizations, this report places a stronger emphasis on demand as a root cause of sexual exploitation. Notably, RealStars’ campaign For Fair Sex is highlighted in the section on Sweden…. Read more »
Realstars welcome the new EU-strategy against human trafficking
Realstars welcome the new EU-strategy against human trafficking – but we are expecting a bigger change that is also connected to sex buying crimes that still lie outside the EU-strategy and directive. Trafficking is today a widely spread problem that affects woman and girls disproportionately. Since the directive came in 2011, EU keeps a more… Read more »