Globalization means the world is getting smaller - not bigger. Trafficking and related crimes flow together across national borders despite distances and different cultures.

An activity, police effort or event against trafficking carried out in one country can easily be transferred to another. The world suddenly becomes very small.

All sorts of "radio channels" are playing on top of each other and it doesn't sound good. Europe should and can benefit from coming together in the fight against trafficking.

Greater effectiveness in the fight against human trafficking is one of many reasons why the EU has introduced a permanent anti-trafficking day.

The European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings was established by the European Commission in 2007 and is marked on October 18th each year.

The main objective of this day is to raise awareness of trafficking in human beings and to exchange information, knowledge and best practices between the different actors working in this field in the different EU countries. Every year, the respective EU Presidencies, together with the European Commission and the individual Member States, organise new events to mark this day at EU and national level.

The EU Justice and Home Affairs Directors have announced a joint commitment to address trafficking in human beings in a coordinated, coherent and comprehensive manner. Joint efforts will focus on better prevention of trafficking in human beings, more effective investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, more effective protection of victims in line with fundamental rights, and ensuring a strong gender perspective.

The European Commission has therefore presented a strategy to eradicate human trafficking based on five main priorities, including better identification and protection of victims and more effective prosecution of traffickers.

The strategy also includes initiatives and measures to develop child protection systems, establish national police units specializing in human trafficking, and establish joint investigation teams composed of national authorities and EU bodies.

We await what the EU will do from 2018 onwards.

Until then, you can read more about the EU and its efforts against human trafficking via the link below. (NOTE: these are from 2012 - but still valid).

• EU Policy on October 18th

• Press release

• Background memo

• Read more on the Commission's website

• Link to videos on human trafficking