Different actors in the protection system need to coordinate to address the vulnerabilities of trafficked and exploited people

Recently, in many European countries, networking and cooperation between relevant au- thorities and actors working to address human trafficking has increased. However, national measures for the identification and assistance of victims of exploitation and trafficking remain inadequate. In the last few years, especially since the so-called “refugee crisis” in Europe around 2015 – 2016, the number of asylum seekers who have become victims of exploitation and trafficking has increased considerably. Italy has been emblematic in this regard, with increas- ing cases of migrant victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation and labour exploitation, especially in sectors such as agriculture (GRETA, 2018).1 Yet, only a few European countries have adopted specific mechanisms to facilitate the identification of victims of exploitation. (and in particular, of trafficking) among asylum seekers. Such mechanisms are essential to make referrals to appropriate services to support them according to their vulnerabilities. Even in the countries that have implemented such mechanisms, understanding and address- ing the complexity of victims’ vulnerabilities and related needs is still limited.