In 2024, 185 cases of human trafficking were reported in Sweden. None of these led to convictions. Over the past three years, we have only had two convictions, according to a report from the Equality Ombudsman.
Last year, 430 vulnerable victims were identified, according to the authority. This includes everything from prostitutes to people exploited as labor in cleaning, construction, and berry picking. 22 of them were children.
Mats Berggren, deputy head of the police's national operational department (Noa), regrets the outcome.
"It is, of course, not a result we can be satisfied with. The fact that the police investigate few crimes is because investigations are often not initiated. This is due to a combination of several factors, both legal and structural", he says in an email to TT.
This is partly because the victims are in vulnerable situations and rarely report.
High evidence requirements
"Many victims are not identified as victims by the authorities and do not perceive themselves as victims. Here, we need to get better at identifying victims and building evidence", says Berggren.
The evidence requirements are high for human trafficking.
"It requires proving, for example, that there has been undue influence, coercion, exploitation, and control. It is often difficult to gather sufficient evidence, especially if the victim does not want or dare to cooperate".
Human trafficking and exploitation are organized to the same extent as other organized crime.
"This means that the same type of comprehensive measures and capabilities are required as against other organized crime to reach higher in the hierarchies behind. The work is highly international and prioritized by Europol."
As a measure, Berggren mentions that Swedish police have placed "liaison officers" in strategically important countries, "which leads to more human trafficking cases being detected before they reach Sweden".
Strömmer: Improve results
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) is also concerned.
"It is important that more cases are investigated and prosecuted. We know that human trafficking crimes are difficult to detect and investigate, but with joint efforts, the authorities can improve results", he says in a written comment.
"The government has, as a first step, tasked the police with reporting, in collaboration with the Prosecution Authority, on how they work to investigate and prosecute more crimes. It is also important to strengthen support for victims of human trafficking so that they dare to report or testify", says Strömmer.
