The Netherlands has seen a rise in reported human trafficking cases, indicating greater awareness of the crime, according to the national rapporteur on trafficking and sexual violence against children. Reports of exploitation increased from 868 in 2023 to 944 in 2024, with teenagers and foreign workers particularly vulnerable.

The rapporteur, Conny Rijken, suggests these figures are “not necessarily negative,” as they indicate more victims are being identified and helped. She estimates that at least 5,000 people in the Netherlands are victims of exploitation by criminals.

Reports involving minors often involve their recruitment for activities like drug smuggling, firebombing, extracting drugs from containers at ports, or providing access to their bank accounts to criminals. These youngsters are enticed by the promise of quick money from these networks.

There has been an increase in Ukrainian victims, as well as women from Venezuela and Colombia who were promised work but fell victim to sexual exploitation. Police face challenges in tracking these victims, as criminals operate from temporary locations like hotels and holiday lets, moving frequently.

Despite the increase in reported trafficking cases, the number of police investigations has decreased by almost a third. Fewer cases of sexual exploitation are being investigated, potentially due to staffing issues.

To address exploitation, lawmakers have recently voted to increase penalties for those who aid and abet trafficking, such as providing housing for trafficked women. The maximum penalty for human trafficking is currently 12 years.