According to the UNODC's Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, one in three victims of human trafficking is a child. The Blue Heart Campaign is therefore focusing this year on this theme: "Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”. The campaign draws the attention on the vulnerability of children and urges accelerated action to end child trafficking.

The Government of Belgium has led an annual national campaign to support this initiative. This year, the Belgian Blue Heart Campaign was launched on 22 July in Antwerp by the Belgian Minister of Justice and Vice Prime Minister, Paul Van Tigchelt. The national campaign is carried out in cooperation with key stakeholders including the three specialised centres for victims of trafficking (Pag-Asa, Payoke and Sürya), the national rapporteur Myria, the Social Intelligence and Investigation Service and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The Belgian campaign mainly aims to raise awareness of the multilingual website and the phone number 078 05 58 00 of the Belgian hotline for victims of human trafficking. Through that hotline, victims, those involved, or witnesses can obtain information, make a report or get in touch with one of the three specialised centres.

The national campaign is also an opportunity to highlight the work of Belgian actors in the fight against trafficking. The Federal Judicial Police, for example, has been leading a European project focusing on all forms of exploitation of minors. Various initiatives are underway to develop a tactical and operational approach to this specific phenomenon, both at the national and international levels.

On 30 July 2024, on the occasion of the “World Day Against Human Trafficking”, various events will be taking place. Manneken-Pis will be wearing his Blue Heart-inspired costume, which was donated by UNODC to the City of Brussels. Many buildings and landmarks throughout Belgium will be lit in blue, including the City Halls of Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges, and Liège. Pag-Asa will have stands in Brussels (Central Station) and Leuven (Grote Markt), to share information for the public on the Belgian Blue Heart Campaign and how to get involved.

For more information, please visit the United Nations website and the FPS Justice website. Also check your municipality's website to find out about possible events planned as part of the campaign and the World Day Against Human Trafficking.