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?
The GRETA report is an evaluation report by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Human Trafficking. Every four years, it analyses the measures taken by member states to implement the Convention on Action against human trafficking. The current report for Austria covers the period from 2020 to 2024 and was published in March 2025. It highlights both progress and existing challenges.
Asylum seekers particularly at risk
The report cites a constant number of around 120 identified victims per year in Austria – with a rise in male victims and increasing labour exploitation. The trend towards recruitment via the internet and social media is worrying. Asylum seekers are particularly at risk, as their access to the labour market, vocational training and German language courses is severely restricted. GRETA expressly recommends simplifying this access in order to reduce the risk of exploitation.
The report acknowledges that Austria has made legal and institutional progress – for example, through increased training and improved procedures. Nevertheless, there is still much room for improvement: many victims of labour exploitation are not recognised as victims of human trafficking and therefore do not have access to protective measures. The unequal provision of services depending on the federal state is particularly critical – while Vienna has specialised support services, other places often lack basic support.
The importance of organisations like HFTF
Hope For the Future has been supporting people who want to leave prostitution or other forms of exploitation for over ten years. The organisation offers individual support, language courses, work integration and psychosocial support. It works closely with other institutions, including state-funded organisations such as Caritas and the MenVia men’s health centre, which regularly refer clients to HFTF. Despite this network, HFTF is financed almost exclusively by donations and income from a small sewing workshop. State funding would make it possible to expand the services offered and provide even more victims with real prospects for the future.
Government funding is essential
Human trafficking does not end with liberation – it only ends with a secure, self-determined future. This is exactly where programmes such as Hope For the Future come in. But without government support, their existence remains precarious. Reliable and long-term funding structures are needed so that help for those affected does not depend solely on donations.
Translated by Anna Smith
#GRETAReport2025 #Menschenhandel #AusstiegArbeitsausbeutung #GRETAÖsterreich #NGOsgegenMenschenhandel #EuroparatGRETA #staatlicheFörderungNGO #AgainstHumanTrafficking #GegenMenschenhandel #EndExploitation #EndTrafficking #HopeForTheFuture #Österreich