On 27 May 2026, the German cabinet adopted a draft law aimed at tightening the criminal prosecution of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The bill expands the scope of offences to include exploitation through surrogacy, adoption and forced marriage, responding to a growing range of trafficking‑related crimes beyond sexual and labour exploitation. For the first time it introduces demand‑side liability, making it punishable to use services of people known to be trafficked victims, for example in construction projects. New offences will also improve protection of children and young people, extending and increasing penalties for sexual exploitation of minors. The draft also allows the suspension of proceedings against victims who are coerced into committing other crimes. The proposal implements the EU trafficking directive in national law.
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