LONDON — Human traffickers across Europe have taken advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to exploit more vulnerable people, while efforts to bring them to justice and support their victims have been disrupted, a European human rights body said on Friday.
COVID-19 restrictions and the economic fallout have worsened the outlook for victims of trafficking on the continent, who are less likely to be identified or able to access healthcare and shelter, according to a report by the Council of Europe (CoE).
“The effects of the pandemic have made victims of human trafficking even more vulnerable,” said Helga Gayer, head of the council’s group of anti-trafficking experts – known as GRETA…
Keep on reading: Traffickers seen thriving in Europe as COVID-19 hits victim support