Types of Crime and Investigations

Trafficking in Human Beings

Trafficking in human beings is a violation of human rights, and can affect women, men and children alike. The UN protocol on trafficking in human beings defines trafficking in human beings / children as "the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons […] for the purpose of exploitation".

This crime can take on several forms - forced labour, exploitation for the purpose of begging and exploitation for the purpose of committing criminal offences; the most common form in Austria being sexual exploitation. Owing to its geographic position in the centre of Europe, Austria is both a destination and a transit country. Trafficking in human beings and cross-border prostitution are so-called police-detected offences, i.e. crimes that are discovered following police checks only and would otherwise go unnoticed. Not many offences are reported to the police, as all of these activities happen in the red-light districts. 

Another reason for the high number of unknown cases is the victims' illegal employment and residence status. The willingness to cooperate with the law enforcement is rather low, even among witnesses and third parties.

The fight against trafficking in human beings requires a multidisciplinary approach combining preventive, punitive, supportive and coordinative tasks. Globalisation has not only connected the economy and politics but also the world of crime where the profitable business of trafficking in human beings is still on the rise.