just 120.. The figures, published in the “Rheinische Post” highlight a significant disconnect between identified victims and those receiving long-term protection.
The majority of individuals granted permits originated from Nigeria (16), India (12), Thailand (9) and Ukraine (8), with Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia being the primary issuing authorities.
Denise Loop, a Green Party parliamentarian, has sharply criticized the scale of the response. She pointed out the stark contrast between the 120 permits issued and the over 800 individuals identified by specialist consultation services in the last year alone. “This number is simply inadequate when considered alongside the known extent of the problem” Loop stated. She argues that offering residency permits would provide victims with enduring safety and facilitate their escape from criminal networks, representing a both a humanitarian imperative and a crucial step in dismantling human trafficking operations. “It weakens the power of traffickers when victims are given a viable alternative” she added.
Marlene Schönberger, also a Green Party representative on the Interior Committee, emphasized the state’s obligation to improve its response. Schönberger advocates for the establishment of specialized units within the police and prosecution services focused on identifying trafficking victims and holding perpetrators accountable. She warned that current resources and strategies are insufficient to address the growing problem.
The Interior Ministry’s response also underscored the increasing role of the internet in facilitating sexual exploitation. Data from 2024 reveals that online platforms were used to initiate contact with 120 victims (25.8% of cases) suspected of sexual exploitation, signaling a concerning shift in trafficking methods and intensifying the demand for digital forensics and online intervention strategies. The limited permits and this reliance on digital exploitation are fueling political debate concerning a more robust and victim-centric approach to combating human trafficking in Germany.
