France told to do more to protect children from human trafficking

France must step up efforts to prevent human trafficking and improve support for victims, particularly children and young people, the Council of Europe has said, warning that weaknesses in the country's child protection system continue to leave minors exposed to exploitation.

Issued on: 25/06/2026 - 16:18

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In a new evaluation report published on Thursday, the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (Greta) welcomed progress made by the French authorities over the past four years.

But it said further action was needed to identify victims more effectively, secure compensation for those affected and strengthen investigations into trafficking networks.

The report – the fourth evaluation of France by Greta after assessments in 2013, 2017 and 2022 – comes against a backdrop of rising concern over trafficking and related offences, including pimping, forced labour, exploitation of begging and other forms of abuse.

Data cited in the report showed the number of victims of trafficking and related offences rose from 1,811 in 2021 to 2,127 in 2024. France remains primarily a destination country for victims, the Council of Europe said.

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Children at risk

Greta praised several recent initiatives, including France's third national action plan against trafficking covering 2024-2027. The plan identifies children, migrants and people in precarious situations as among the groups most vulnerable to exploitation.

However, the experts warned that "children's vulnerability to trafficking persists due to the profound crisis in the child protection system". They called on France to "step up" the identification of child victims and ensure they receive adequate assistance.

That support should include safe accommodation, tailored care and reintegration programmes, the report said. GRETA also highlighted the need for better protection for young people who may be targeted by traffickers, including those already facing instability, poverty or difficulties accessing public services.

The report also points to the growing role of the internet in trafficking. GRETA urged France to invest further in digital tools that would allow investigators to act more proactively, reflecting how traffickers increasingly use online platforms to recruit, exploit and control victims.

While acknowledging that France has taken meaningful steps in recent years, the Council of Europe said gaps remain in the national response. One key concern is the absence of a national mechanism for identifying victims, a shortcoming GRETA said France has still not addressed.

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Justice and compensation

The report also found that many victims struggle to obtain compensation from perpetrators, despite legal improvements designed to make justice more accessible.

Greta welcomed two positive developments: the removal of the requirement for victims to have legal residence status to qualify for legal aid and the easing of the burden of proof for trafficking victims seeking compensation.

Even so, the experts said victims "rarely obtain compensation from the perpetrators" and often have to begin lengthy and complex civil proceedings to enforce rulings made by criminal courts. This can leave people who have already endured exploitation facing further stress and uncertainty while seeking redress.

The report also raised concerns about asylum seekers, saying their social and economic integration should be improved. Greta said particular attention should be paid to access to the labour market and healthcare, both of which can reduce vulnerability to exploitation.

The report sets out a series of recommendations, including stronger systems to identify victims, better support for children, more effective digital investigations and easier access to compensation.

Founded in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Council of Europe brings together 46 member states and is regarded as Europe's leading human rights organisation.

(with newswires)