Human trafficking: current state, dynamics and countermeasures

Abstract

The article examines the current state, dynamics and directions of combating human trafficking. It is determined that in Ukraine, with the beginning of the war, human trafficking became even more acute, because a large number of people from the country were forcibly deported by the aggressor country to the territory of Russia and Belarus, as well as a rather difficult economic situation, corruption, a high level of unemployment, the spread of external labor migration, disparities the development of the labor market, the prevalence of fraudulent schemes for recruiting citizens, the intensification of the activities of international criminal groups, the imperfection of legislation, the legal ignorance of the population and other risk factors lead to falling into the situation of human trafficking.

The problem of human trafficking became particularly relevant in the context of a full-scale war, because it became one of the most serious consequences for Ukrainian society, given the fact that millions of people who were forced to evacuate either abroad or simply to other territories or those who were forcibly removed to the territory the aggressor countries became potential victims with a high level of victimization. That is why the article explores the areas of coordination of actions to combat human trafficking at all levels, a comprehensive systemic approach and rapid response to a potential threat or actual situation, which can ensure an adequate level of social protection of the population and protect against possible risks of human trafficking.

In the article, the author provides statistical data on registered criminal offenses in the field of human trafficking, the number of persons who have committed this offense, the general criminological characteristics of human trafficking in Ukraine in recent years, as well as elaborated statistical data of the National Social Service of Ukraine on persons who granted the status of victims of human trafficking.

The directions of Ukraine's cooperation with the International Organization for Migration and other partners regarding preventive measures to combat human trafficking, as well as coordination actions of the Migration Police with European partners regarding the creation of a European platform for exchanging information on human trafficking, were also investigated.

On the basis of the conducted scientific study of the problem of human trafficking, specific effective directions of combating this criminal offense have been identified. It is noted that at the level of the state, international organizations and civil society there should be a full and effective consolidation of the efforts of both state authorities and local self-government bodies, as well as public organizations and citizens to prevent human trafficking.

It was noted that a very important and first-priority task is to ensure an effective, proper, timely response to such criminal offenses through joint response and coordinated actions of all relevant subjects, because human freedom is one of the main values of modern civilized society, and ensuring its inviolability is one of main functions of the state.