Data Collection and Research

In order to develop policies and working methods that successfully counteract human trafficking it is essential to have the right tools to monitor the changing patterns of the crime. Reliable data and statistics on human trafficking are essential to constantly enhance and update the knowledge base in this field. Only if there is sufficient statistical information on the victims, the traffickers, the trafficking process and the criminal justice responses, can victims of human trafficking be properly identified and assisted.

Hard Data: Data Collection Mechanisms on Human Trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region

Hard Data compares the data collection mechanisms in the CBSS Member States and provides an overview of the categories of information on human trafficking cases that is currently collected, by whom it is collected, analysed and published as well as its public availability. The study underlines the need to develop comparable data collection mechanisms and serves as a a tool for organisations to use to enhance their own systems.


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The CBSS TF-THB recognises the importance of supporting research endeavours concerning data collection on human trafficking. Since a regional assessment review had not yet been performed, the TF-THB has launched a study on data collection mechanisms on human trafficking in the CBSS Member States. The TF-THB is using the joint Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior and International Organization for Migration (IOM) Guidelines for the Collection of Data on Trafficking in Human Beings, including Comparable Indicators as a starting point.

The purpose of the project is to map what type, how and by whom data is currently being collected in the 11 CBSS Member States. The overall objective is to support and contribute to an enhanced knowledge base on data collection in the CBSS Region and thereby increase policy makers’ understanding of the issue and enable more targeted policy and programmatic responses.

The research phase was completed in spring 2010 and the draft assessment study is currently being edited. This study will come out in autumn 2010 when it will be presented and discussed with counter trafficking actors and relevant researchers.