Activities to Prevent and Combat Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking across the State Border

Abstract

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) has become a risk factor today, with major impact on public order and national security, because of the defining outcome of the danger to which the victims are susceptible. Control at the state border can represent a final moment of transition from which a passenger, through the mistaken belief induced by the trafficker, can become a victim of MSHT. At the same time, the potential victim, convinced by the dream created by the trafficker and sometimes by the fear imposed by the latter, does not realize the imminent danger to which she will be subjected and continues her way by crossing the state border. The personnel of the Border Police who carry out their activity of surveillance and control at the crossing of the state border, follow each passenger to identify certain behavioral indicators to extract more information from them and make them aware of the danger to which they may be susceptible. Many times, potential victims do not trust the authorities, blinded by the trafficker's beliefs, they cannot notice the indications and/or signals of the situation and continue their journey towards the destination proposed by the trafficker. Also, the migrant who turns to smugglers to help him cross the state border may become a victim of human trafficking.