Many human trafficking victims in Italy are migrants and asylum seekers. These individuals are particularly vulnerable to trafficking for a multitude of reasons and unaccompanied minors are most at risk.
Reception centres and facilities for migrants in Italy are often lacking in security. As a result, it is easy for traffickers to gain access to the facilities and force people into exploitative situations. On top of this, overcrowding also makes it less likely that their absence will be noticed. Women and girls, in particular, are being removed at night and forced into prostitution.
All of this demonstrates that Italy and Europe are not the safe havens that they are believed to be. Unfortunately, false stories of success and a better life in Italy are often sent back to family and friends propagating the notion that travel to Europe is safe and living there is full of opportunities. Traffickers use these methods to deceive more victims and subject more people to exploitation and abuse.