An analysis of the National Agency Against Trafficking In Persons (ANITP) shows that in the first six months of 2026 there is an increase by 32% of the number of identified victims of trafficking in persons compared with 2025.

'The analysis corresponding to the first semester of 2026 reveals 430 victims, 32% more than in the same period last year. The data shows that 84% of victims are women, 153 are minors, and sexual exploitation remains the main form of trafficking in persons, while labour exploitation and the number of foreign citizens exploited in Romania are showing an upward trend,' an ANITP release sent to AGERPRES on Thursday informed.

The ANITP is carrying out a series of information and prevention activities nationwide between 27 July and 3 August through the Regional Centres and in partnership with public institutions, non-governmental organisations, local authorities and private sector representatives, in the context of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, marked every year on 30 July.

'In the first half of 2026, the Agency carried out more than 1,200 prevention activities, around 1,000 of which were held in educational institutions, implementing 75 projects and campaigns that reached more than 87,000 direct beneficiaries. At the same time, 41 partnerships and joint action plans were developed, while more than 800 specialists from the structures of the MAI [Ministry of Internal Affairs] and partner institutions benefited from training sessions,' the ANITP release said.

At the same time, the ANITP continued to develop strategic initiatives with an impact on the national anti-trafficking system, including the development, together with the National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child and Adoption (ANPDCA), UNICEF Romania and the eLiberare Association, of the first national mechanism for the proactive detection of the risk of child trafficking. It provides child protection specialists with uniform tools for the early identification of risk situations and intervention before a child becomes a victim of trafficking in persons.

'Furthermore, the ANITP continued to implement Romania - U.S. Child Protection Compact (CPC) programme, one of the most important strategic partnerships dedicated to preventing child trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children, with a focus on risks associated with the online environment, strengthening cooperation with the ANPDCA, the Romanian Police and international and civil society partners, in view of developing an effective prevention and protection system,' the quoted source said.

Another priority direction was supporting the first national group established by survivors of trafficking in persons. By involving them in awareness-raising activities, the ANITP promotes a victim-centred approach and capitalizes on the experience of those who have overcome situations of exploitation, contributing to the development of public policies adapted to realities on the ground.

At the same time, the institution is involved in preparing the first national simulation exercise under the aegis of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in partnership with other structures of the MAI and civil society, under the coordination of the Romanian Government, scheduled for the second half of the year, which will gather all institutions with responsibilities in the are and will represent an important step in strengthening operational cooperation and the response capacity of the national anti-trafficking system.

'Trafficking in persons can be prevented through information, responsibility and involvement. Every community, every institution and every citizen can contribute to protecting vulnerable people. On the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we reaffirm ANITP's commitment to act, together with its partners, towards a society in which the freedom and dignity of every person are protected,' ANITP Director Maria Cristina Stepanescu said, according to the release. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Alexandru Florea; EN - writing by: Rodica State)