The police has already been collaborating with foreign universities in Hungary, Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Georgia to improve visibility on trends and methods of criminal networks in these source countries of human trafficking. Hogeschool Rotterdam, as the Dutch partner, with its practice-oriented approach, is a valuable addition to this international consortium. The foundation for this collaboration was laid when the Escapetruck, an awareness initiative surrounding human trafficking, landed at Hogeschool Rotterdam. This led to a valuable conversation between the university and Jorn van Rij, a researcher at the police, about the opportunities and benefits of a structural partnership.

The collaboration extends beyond the Netherlands. The police and Hogeschool Rotterdam aim to utilize international opportunities by sharing knowledge and best practices with foreign partners in the consortium. An example of this is the recently organized international week, where partners from Hungary, Romania, and Poland were present.

Sharing Knowledge for a Joint Approach

Human trafficking is a serious crime that violates the fundamental rights of individuals. The expertise center being established within this collaboration provides the opportunity to conduct joint research into criminal exploitation and to apply the findings directly in practice. This contributes not only to more effective police work but also to the education of future professionals dealing with this issue.

“With the combination of education and practice, we can elevate the approach to human trafficking to a higher level. By connecting research from educational institutions in the Netherlands with research in source countries of human trafficking within an international consortium and integrating these insights into police investigations, we can operate more effectively both locally and internationally against this crime,” said Anja Leemans, director of the national portfolio team for Immigration Affairs, Migration Crime, and Human Trafficking within the police.

According to Inez Klapper, education manager of the Institute for Social Education, this collaboration is an important step: “The partnership between the police and Hogeschool Rotterdam marks a significant step in the fight against international human trafficking. By committing ourselves to research and knowledge sharing, we can more effectively combat the criminal exploitation of vulnerable individuals while also training young professionals, such as teachers and social workers, to recognize human trafficking and learn to act appropriately in their daily work.”

With this collaboration, Hogeschool Rotterdam and the police are taking an important step in the joint fight against human trafficking. Both parties look forward to a fruitful collaboration that contributes to a safer society.