Violence against women and girls persists over time, seriously harming our societies. It is imperative that this unacceptable phenomenon ends. It goes against fundamental values of the European Union, including the respect for human dignity, freedom and equality. It leaves deep wounds in victims, in families and in society. In fact, it is so widespread and pervasive that it forms part of every individual's life, in Europe and beyond, whether they experience it themselves, in their families, or in their social networks. If not victims, we are all bystanders. We share the responsibility to take action and promote change. Structural aspects of discrimination and unequal power relations between women and men have historically placed women and girls at a disadvantage. To this day, women and girls in Europe experience the manifestations of gender inequality in all aspects of their lives, including exposure to different forms of violence. It is clear that ending violence against women and achieving gender equality must go hand-in-hand and are key to each other's success. Trafficking in human beings is one of the many facets of violence against women and girls. Trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is the most reported form in the European Union with the majority of victims of this crime also being European Union nationals. Trafficking for sexual exploitation is rooted in gender inequalities, and it affects women disproportionately. The gender- specific roots and consequences of this crime cannot and must not be overlooked in the way trafficking for sexual exploitation is understood and addressed. The European Union is committed to tackling this heinous crime and violation of women and girls' fundamental rights through a number of policies and actions that are gender-specific. Identifying, protecting and assisting victims of trafficking, a key European Union priority for the eradication of trafficking in human beings, remains a challenge for many Member States. The European Commission affirms its commitment to support the Member States in achieving this goal, through concrete guiding actions. In line with the recent commitment, through a Joint Statement to working together against trafficking in human beings, of 10 European Union agencies, and on the occasion of the EU Anti-Trafficking Day 2018, this report represents one of these actions.
