HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESPONSES IN EUROPE WITH EMPHASIS ON ROMANIA

Human trafficking, one of the worst violations of human rights, dignity, and integrity, usually takes place over a large territory, where traffickers take advantage of the naivety and vulnerability of victims. Traffickers also exploit a lack of synchronization between state institutions with the responsibility of preventing and combatting this phenomenon. Considering the pandemic and digitalization have directly contributed to the evolution of human trafficking, the paper aims to present the risk factors, threats to public order, and public safety caused by human trafficking. The fundamental nature of human trafficking is dehumanization for profit, which is the distinguishing factor from other criminal activities. The paper also presents the European and Romanian legal frameworks which organize the fight against, prevention, and prosecution of this transnational crime.