Action plan against exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking

The fight against human trafficking and exploitation, including exploitation in prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation must be stepped up. This is about the inhumane exploitation of vulnerable people – in many cases by criminals who profit from their vulnerability. Recruitment, control, advertising and abuse often take place via social media, apps and digital platforms. Therefore, society must raise the bar and develop new methods and competencies to effectively combat and prosecute these offences, whether in the digital or physical world. 

The Government has therefore adopted an action plan against exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking for the period 2026–2028. The aim is to strengthen preventive work and support for people who have been exploited, with a particular focus on young people and digital arenas. The action plan covers work to prevent human trafficking for all purposes.

“Human trafficking and prostitution are the cynical exploitation of vulnerable people, which also feeds the criminal economy. Exploitation is increasingly taking place in digital arenas. With this action plan, the Government steps up its efforts to effectively combat prostitution and human trafficking where it occurs today. It focuses in particular on the vulnerability of children and young people in digital arenas,” says Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson.

Special focus on children and young people

During the current electoral period, the Government has implemented a raft of measures to counter exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking. These include increased funding and more assignments to government agencies to ensure that vulnerable people receive the support and protection they need. Through the action plan, the Government is building on this and providing a clear direction for the work going forward. It encompasses people of all ages but focuses particularly on the vulnerability of children and young people.

The action plan focuses on five strategic areas – prevention, detection and identification, support and protection for victims, law enforcement and recidivism prevention.

The Government is implementing a wide range of measures to strengthen work in these five areas. One such measure is the Government’s initiative for a national exit programme for people exploited in prostitution. A number of authorities are now preparing for such exit programmes to be implemented at the local and regional level. Another key measure is that the Government has tasked the police with prioritising and intensifying work against sexual offences in digital environments. Other measures include updating support material for curricula on sexuality, consent and relationships, and efforts to strengthen and adapt care for children and young people placed in special youth homes and who have been exposed to, for example, sexual violence and sexual exploitation. 

Helplines for victims of violence will be developed to reach people who have been subjected to sexual exploitation

The National Centre for Knowledge on Women’s Violence at Uppsala University has been allocated funds that can be used to develop the helplines for victims of violence. This is to ensure that people who have been subjected to sexual exploitation – e.g. in the form of prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes or exploitation for pornographic purposes – receive appropriate support and to raise awareness that support is available. 

The funds are also intended to be used to conduct a pilot study, which means that more targeted support to counteract violence that has digital aspects will be given to people who need it and who contact one of the helplines.