Each year, Human Trafficking Awareness Week coincides with the European Day Against Trafficking in Human Beings, on 18 October. PAG-ASA’s programme in Brussels offers a range of activities to inform both the public and professionals about the realities of human trafficking.

On 14 October 2025, EMN Belgium attended the screening of "Souleymane's Story", directed by Boris Lojkine. The film tells the story of an undocumented migrant from Guinea, who is forced to “rent” a third-party Uber or Deliveroo account to work as a delivery rider in Paris. The account owner receives the payments and takes a portion, creating a dependency that leaves the worker vulnerable to exploitation. During the post-screening discussion, Sarah de Hovre (PAG-ASA), Géraldine Lénelle (Substitut, Federal Public Service Justice) and Jan Knockaert (FAIRWORK Belgium) explained that such practices are unfortunately common also in Belgium. They noted that legal proceedings are complex, as it can be difficult to prove who the victim is, what their employment status is, and who the employer is. Specialists advised frontline professionals to inform vulnerable individuals about their labour rights and obligations, and the risks of exploitation. They also encouraged the general public to avoid choosing the cheapest service options, which may foster exploitative working conditions, and reminded anyone in contact with a potential victim to report the case to labour inspections, specialised centres for victims of human trafficking, the Point of Contact for Fair Competition, and the Belgian Helpline for victims of human trafficking.

Other PAG-ASA activities during the week include professional trainings on economic exploitation in both French and Dutch, and the Belgian premiere of Madame Luna on 16 October. Several awareness initiatives will run a little longer, such as the exhibition Human Trafficking Hides Everywhere, open until 24 October on the ground floor of the Schaerbeek Town Hall. A public campaign at Place Gaucheret also features silhouettes and stories of victims exploited in different sectors, from construction and domestic work to hospitality and massage services. These initiatives aim to strengthen public understanding of trafficking and encourage collective vigilance against all forms of exploitation.