Between statistics, systems, and real cases

The Counter–Trafficking NGO Coalition joined the work of the interagency working group on identifying, stopping, and investigating crimes related to human trafficking at the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.

Statistics presented by law enforcement agencies indicate that human trafficking in Ukraine remains a serious problem, and the path from identifying a crime to real punishment is long and complex.

What the data from government authorities show for 2025:

232 criminal proceedings under Article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine were under investigation;
162 new criminal offenses were registered during the year;
104 individuals were notified of suspicion;
56 indictments were sent to court;
31 criminal proceedings were considered by the courts;
29 people were convicted, and only 10 of them received real punishment.

In 2025, two organized criminal groups involved in human trafficking were also dismantled, consisting of 15 individuals. Among the victims were men and children, and the forms of exploitation included forced labor, sexual exploitation, involvement in criminal activities, and adoption for profit.

From its side, the Coalition shared what NGOs observe in practice.

For 2025, the Coalition member organizations:

assisted over 1,000 people affected by gender-based violence;
documented 228 cases of human trafficking;
worked with 232 cases of exploitation.

Not all victims are ready to talk about their experiences: some are afraid, some do not realize that what they went through was human trafficking, and some simply get lost between different services.

That is why we emphasized several critically important points:

the need for ongoing multidisciplinary training in the regions, especially on identifying children who are victims of human trafficking;
clear and understandable procedures for interaction and referral of victims;
monitoring of criminal proceedings to ensure they do not drag on for years without results;
genuine protection of victims, not just formal status.

We will continue to work so that behind the numbers and discussions there is not just reporting, but real assistance and protection for the people who need it.