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Human trafficking is a serious crime in Austria.

The true extent of human trafficking is hard to grasp.
The estimated number of unknown cases is very high. Many victims of human trafficking are not recognized as such.

Why are victims not recognized?

✗ People under the control of human traffickers are mostly afraid of the police. They are often illegal in the country. In their home country, they have seen or experienced the police as corrupt and as "an enemy".
✗ Those who are able to escape, are afraid of the consequences they may get, if they tell their experiences to the police.
✗ For this reason, it is usually very difficult for the police and courts to prosecute cases of human trafficking. The only witnesses are often only the victims themselves.
Only those who know about human trafficking can do something about it. Only those who know about human trafficking can do something about it.

What is Austria doing about this?

  • Employees of the Austrian police, justice, youth welfare and embassies are specially trained to recognize victims of human trafficking.
  • Victims can only be helped if they are recognized as such.
  • The perpetrators can only be held responsible if enough solid evidence is collected - special police work is required for this.