The special commission tasked with evaluating legislation and policy on human trafficking and smuggling in Belgium has called for an improvement in statistics concerning child victims. In response to this call, Myria analysed the figures for young people welcomed and supported over the last ten years (2014-2023) by Esperanto, the reception centre in Wallonia for minors who are victims of trafficking, aggravated smuggling and honour-related violence.

According to Myria, over the past ten years, Esperanto has provided support to 240 minors, 156 of whom (65%) were (presumed) victims of trafficking and/or aggravated smuggling. Just over half of these 156 young people were victims of sexual exploitation (42) or were forced to commit criminal acts (43). The third and fourth largest groups were victims of aggravated human smuggling (36) and victims of economic exploitation (29). A minority (9) of them were forced to beg.

For further details, please read the Myriade from October 2024 in French or in Dutch.