CEPOL THB training – how blended learning enhanced participants’ educational journey

Combatting human trafficking constitutes an important training priority in CEPOL’s portfolio. One flagship training activity within the trafficking in human beings (THB) crime category is CEPOL’s blended learning programme on trafficking in human beings in the digital age. Its aim is to enhance knowledge and skills on the detection and investigation of cases of sexual exploitation committed by organised crime groups (OCGs) using the Internet, as well as on the identification and protection of the victims.  

Made up of 3 training activities that are built on each other, it follows a step-by-step approach. To complete this blended learning training, participants follow a learning path that starts with an online phase (steps 1 and 2), followed by an intensive onsite training.

The 3 training activities for this year’s edition included:

Step 1 - Webinar 3011/2025: “The revised Anti-trafficking Directive and the 5^th report on the progress made in the EU in combatting Trafficking in Human Beings”.

116 law enforcement officials from 22 EU Member States (MS) took part in the webinar on 24 March 2025. It was organised with the support of the European Commission Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) – Anti-trafficking Coordinator, and scored a 98,81% satisfaction rate.

Step 2 - Online course 2002/2025 Trafficking in human beings – “Investigation of the digital business of human trafficking”

The follow up online training part, implemented from 16 to 28 May, had a 100% satisfaction rate. CEPOL’s exerts were supported by colleagues from Europol, Eurojust, OSCE, and EU MS Action Leaders of the EMPACT THB Operational Action Plan (OAP). 26 law enforcement officialsfrom 21 EU MS who attended the course enhanced their knowledge on the impact of the digital technology on the modus operandi of human traffickers and improved their digital skills to identify victims and to detect and investigate THB cases. The course also included an Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) simulation exercise.

The participants appreciated quality and structure of the training that focused on important topics, including recent developments in the area of THB, such as the increased use of technology in the recruitment and exploitation of victims; the impact of digital technology on the modus operandi of human traffickers; recent EU-level measures (EMPACT THB and EU Anti-trafficking Strategy); digital skills supporting the identification of victims and the detection and investigation of cases of trafficking in human beings.

Step 3 - Onsite course 08/2025 “Trafficking in human beings – sexual exploitation”

The final step of the blended training activity was delivered in the format of an onsite course which took place from 3 to 5 June 2025, achieving a 100% satisfaction rate. This intensive 3-day training activity was organised for the first time at the agency’s new HQ in Budapest, with the support of experts from Europol, Eurojust, OSCE, and MS Action Leaders of the EMPACT THB OAP. 23 law enforcement officials (investigators and border guards) from 21 MS attended the onsite phase of the THB training, after having successfully completed the online phase.

By presenting case studies portraying a successful multi-agency approach, the training helped participants enhance their knowledge and skills to fight sexual exploitation. The course focused on interactive group discussions and practical, hands-on exercises to apply knowledge and skills gained during the first two steps of the online/distance learning phase, such as a simulation exercise of a house search in the context of financial investigations targeting information/evidence of criminal proceeds generated by human traffickers.

Background information

Trafficking in human beings (THB) is one of the 10 main priorities of the EU Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) 2022-2025 cycle. The CEPOL EU Strategic Training Needs Assessment (EU-STNA) recognised the importance of training at EU-level to combat trafficking in human beings and underlines that acquiring knowledge about the crime patterns of human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, labour exploitation and forced criminality constitutes the highest training priority.

Law enforcement training facilitates communication between all parties and encourages joint actions. Sharing best practices among participants, encouraging the development of networks and further cooperation between countries of origin, transit, and destination, constitute an integral part of the CEPOL THB learning programmes.