While carrying out a major police operation against human trafficking, Spanish authorities made a shocking discovery. In several apartments, which had been converted into “massage salons”, they freed 162 women from forced prostitution. The women lived in catastrophic conditions, with the woman servicing their customers in bunkbeds where they subsequently had to sleep. 162 victims, […]
Police Free 162 Women from Forced Prostitution Read More »
Without realising it, we benefit from the exploitation of others in our everyday lives. Modern slavery is not a distant reality: tens of thousands of people in the United Kingdom live in exploitative conditions – despite legal measures such as the Modern Slavery Act. But why are we not able to protect these people effectively?
The British Modern Slavery Act: A look behind the scenes Read More »
The pursuit of more is omnipresent in our society, and hustle culture is a widespread phenomenon. Those who subscribe to it quickly find themselves in a state of self-exploitation – with serious physical and psychological consequences. This makes it all the more important to protect your own health and find sustainable ways to pursue personal
Hustle Culture: A culture of self-exploitation and how we can grow in a healthy way Read More »
A review of the commitment and an outlook on future challenges It won’t work without relief measures! At the beginning of June 2025, the Platform Against Exploitation and Human Trafficking celebrated its tenth anniversary. For an entire day, the focus was on civil engagement. The programme impressively demonstrated how far civil society has come in
Every four years, the GRETA expert group reviews how well Austria is implementing its measures against human trafficking. In March 2025, the fourth evaluation report was published, focusing on victims’ rights and exit support. Non-profit organisations such as Hope For the Future are key pillars in the fight against exploitation and human trafficking. What is
GRETA Report 2025: Austria in the fight against exploitation and human trafficking Read More »
Prostitution is a multi-layered phenomenon which is often discussed under the guise of “voluntary choice”. Upon closer examination, however, it becomes clear that economic needs and a lack of education are among the main reasons why women in particular turn to sex work. In many cases, the “decision” to become a prostitute is not so much a
Between Need and Exploitation – How Poverty and Learning Deficits Fuel Prostitution Read More »
Many teenagers dream of one day striding down the catwalk in a flurry of cameras, showing off the latest creations of their favourite designers and eventually landing on the cover of trendy magazines. For almost two decades, the reality show Germany’s Next Topmodel, hosted by Heidi Klum, has been fuelling this desire by putting young
The dark side of modelling Read More »
Prostitution is often described as “the world’s oldest profession”, and accepted as an unavoidable component of many societies. In Austria, prostitution is legalised and subject to defined regulations. As a result, there is a widespread assumption that the women involved in prostitution enter the industry of their own will. This article takes a critical look
The Illusion of Voluntary Action: Myths and Realities of Prostitution in Austria Read More »
13 potential members of a Nigerian mafia group have been arrested in western Germany. They are accused of having made a lot of money through love scams, human trafficking and forced labour. Suspects arrested after raids The police in Lower Saxony have struck a major blow against organised crime. After several raids targeting the Nigerian
Cybercrime and human trafficking: members of Nigerian mafia gang arrested Read More »
We read about it in various media and watch the news on television in shock. But that labour exploitation, even forced labour, is happening right in front of our eyes, and that we personally may even be the beneficiaries, that is what is really shocking. Austria: The case of S.H.G. The facility management company S.H.G.,
Forced labour and exploitation: It’s happening right in front of our eyes Read More »