Every year on 30 July, we observe the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons—a day that reminds us that human trafficking is not a distant problem, but a reality that exists all around us.

Human trafficking destroys the lives of thousands of victims, many of whom remain invisible to society. That is why it is essential to raise awareness, recognise the signs, and take action.

Established in 2013, this international day aims to increase public awareness of the seriousness and widespread nature of human trafficking, highlight the need to protect and support victims, and encourage governments and organisations to strengthen their efforts to prevent trafficking and dismantle transnational criminal networks.

The theme of the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, "Trapped by Deception," draws attention to the rapidly growing form of human trafficking in which transnational organised crime groups exploit people to carry out large-scale financial fraud. Victims are trafficked for forced criminality and compelled to participate in online scams. This form of exploitation is closely linked to cybercrime, financial fraud, money laundering, and corruption, demonstrating the increasingly interconnected nature of organised crime.

Human trafficking includes various forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced begging, organ trafficking, and other forms of abuse.

Although human trafficking is often viewed as an issue primarily for the police, prosecution services, and the judiciary, it is also a significant public health concern. Trafficked persons frequently require medical care due to injuries or other health conditions, including adolescent pregnancies resulting from exploitation. It is therefore essential that healthcare professionals understand what human trafficking is, know how to recognise its indicators, and are aware of the appropriate reporting mechanisms. Early identification enables victims to receive psychological support, appropriate healthcare, and access to safe accommodation.

During 2025, the Operational Team responsible for the formal identification of victims of human trafficking formally identified five victims of trafficking in persons: four women and one man. Of these, four were children and one was an adult. Regarding the type of exploitation, there were two cases of sexual exploitation, one case of illegal adoption, one case of forced marriage, and one case of labour exploitation through forced begging.

In addition to the formally identified victims, 24 presumed victims of trafficking in persons were recorded, including 19 women and 5 men. Among them, 17 were children and 7 were adults. The most common form of exploitation was sexual exploitation (10 cases), followed by forced marriage (6 cases), forced begging (4 cases), labour exploitation (3 cases), and one case of illegal adoption.

The majority of both identified and presumed victims were nationals of the country, while a smaller number of cases involved foreign nationals, mainly in connection with labour exploitation.

The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Identifying Victims

Healthcare professionals—including physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other health personnel—are in a unique position to identify possible victims of human trafficking. They can:

Recognise physical and psychological indicators, such as injuries, trauma, anxiety, depression, distrust, or unusual withdrawal;

Identify inconsistent or implausible explanations for injuries;

Notice the absence of personal identification documents, restrictions on the person's freedom of movement, or the presence of someone who insists on speaking on behalf of the patient;

Recognise signs of neglect, malnutrition, or sexually transmitted infections, particularly among women and children.

Healthcare professionals should approach potential victims with empathy, respect, confidentiality, and sensitivity, avoiding judgement or pressure.

Combating human trafficking requires a coordinated, multisectoral response involving healthcare institutions, law enforcement agencies, social services, educational institutions, and civil society organisations.