At the European Union level, trafficking in human beings is a criminal offence when a person is recruited, transported, transferred, harboured or received by means such as coercion, threat, use of force, deception, abuse of vulnerability or abuse of power for the purpose of exploitation**.**
Trafficking for sexual exploitation is recognised in EU law and policy as a gendered crime**,**because it is closely linked to structural gender inequality, discrimination, and power imbalance.
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Forced prostitution
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Forced participation in pornography
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Sexual services under coercion
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Sexual abuse used as a method of control
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Sexual slavery
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Online-facilitated sexual exploitation Sexual violence in the trafficking context may occur:
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As the core objective of the exploitation
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As a method of coercion or control
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As a means of punishment or intimidation
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As part of systematic exploitation for profit Directive (EU) 2024/1712
Amending Directive 2011/36/EU; defines trafficking, exploitation (including sexual exploitation, exploitation of prostitution of others, slavery or practices similar to slavery) and strengthens gender-specific obligations.
Recognises gender-based violence against women and establishes criminal-law and victim-protection standards at EU level, including sexual violence and support obligations.
Violence against Women Directive, provisions on sexual violence and rape-related victim protection.