Human trafficking in Belgium 2008-2022
Human trafficking under Belgian law
Human trafficking refers to the exploitation of individuals for profit. Exploitation covers prostitution, infantile pornography, begging, organ harvesting, forced crime, and forced labor. Confusion is often made between human trafficking, illegal immigration, and smuggling. The latter describes the act of aiding the illegal entry of a person into a country.An international consensus on the definition of human trafficking was crucial due to this confusion. Thus, the European Union and the United Nations found common ground: Besides exploitation, human trafficking’s definition today rests on two other key elements: acts and means. Acts can be recruiting, transporting, transferring or housing. Whereas means refer to threats, violence, constraint, and deceit. In 2005, Belgium adapted its law to reflect this consensus.
Belgium compromises protecting the victims and fighting criminal organizations. The country offers victim protection in return for their collaboration with the authorities. For this, reporting the offense is mandatory.