Human trafficking is a severe criminal act. People who are exposed to human trafficking often hesitate to seek help and support out of fear of the perpetrators. Some victims also lack knowledge about their rights and concrete possibilities in their given situation. Therefore, it is suspected that there are unreported cases of human trafficking The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking's statistics only include individuals who are officially identified as victims of human trafficking by Danish authorities.
Between 2007 and 2022, Danish authorities identified 1121 individuals as victims of human trafficking. In 2022, this number is 73. In comparison, 80 individuals were identified as trafficked in 2021.
Key figures 2022
The number of individuals identified as trafficked into sexual exploitation has increased from 2021 to 2022. On the other hand, the number of individuals trafficked into forced labor and criminal activities has decreased from 2021 to 2022, and together comprising just under a third of the individuals exposed to human trafficking in 2022.
More victims are younger than 25 years
The 73 persons identified as victims of human trafficking in 2022 are aged 15-54, with an average age of 30. The majority are over 18. Of the 73, a third (27 persons) are under 25 years, and are primarily boys and young men from Morocco and other African countries. Six individuals are aged 15-17. In comparison, children and young people under 25 accounted for just under a quarter of those exposed to human trafficking in 2021.
Women constitute two-thirds of identified victims
48 women and 24 men are identified as victims of human trafficking in 2022. Thus, women make up two thirds of identified. Both the proportion and the number of women have increased since 2021, when the distribution between women and men was almost equal.
Of the 48 women, 36 have been trafficked into sexual exploitation, primarily in the form of prostitution. The remaining women are exploited for slavery or practices similar to slavery, forced labor or other forms of exploitation.
Half of the 24 men identified in 2022 have been trafficked into criminal activities and eight have been trafficked into forced labor. One man has been trafficked into sexual exploitation and three have been trafficked into other forms of exploitation.
One of the individuals exposed to human trafficking in 2022 identifies as a transgender person. This person has been trafficked into sexual exploitation and is from Colombia.
More than half trafficked into sexual exploitation
Of the 73 individuals exposed to human trafficking in 2022, 38 are trafficked into sexual exploitation. This number has increased since 2021 and constitutes more than half of the individuals identified as trafficked. Most of the 38 individuals are women, except for one man and one transgender person.