Building Safety and Freedom in Poland

Poland is one of the highest-risk areas for trafficking in Europe.

Human trafficking is illegal in Europe and around the world, yet a growing number of vulnerable people are being moved across borders to be exploited for profit. Women and children are most at risk, making up 92% of all victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. 

Poland borders seven European countries, making it a continental hub for cross-border trafficking. Right now, about 209,000 people are trapped in modern slavery in Poland. If you met one person trapped in slavery every minute, it would take you 145 days to meet them all. And rising migration patterns, as well as increased geopolitical conflict in the region, have put another 1 million Ukrainian refugees at risk of being trafficked.

Poland recently earned the top ranking in the U.S. Department of State's 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report because of their strong commitment and sustained efforts to combat human trafficking. But compared to the growing scale of the crime, Poland's anti-trafficking police unit is disproportionately small. There just isn't enough law enforcement capacity to protect those who need it most.

But IJM is working with local authorities to change that.

IJM's protection model works. And it's coming to Poland.

As of June 2025, International Justice Mission (IJM) is officially registered to begin its program in Poland.

IJM is the largest and most effective anti-trafficking organization in the world, with a protection model that has already helped millions of people find safety and freedom. Working with local authorities, IJM has reduced trafficking and slavery by up to 85% in nine regions worldwide, impacting more than 10 million lives.

Building on this success and its presence in Romania, IJM will now partner with Polish authorities, NGOs, and survivor leaders to protect vulnerable people from trafficking. Starting in 2026, IJM's core team will work with local authorities on law enforcement training, victim support, survivor care, and advocacy campaigns.

Formal agreements with government partners are already in progress, creating a clear and collaborative path forward to stop traffickers and bring safety and freedom to victims and survivors.

Your support proves protection is possible.

The official launch of IJM’s collaboration with Polish authorities is a major step forward in Europe's fight against trafficking. Together, we’re working to protect 4.8 million vulnerable people, including 209,000 victims of trafficking and 1 million Ukrainian refugees in Poland. 

Thanks to support from people like you, we are building the foundation for a safer future in Poland and across Europe.

And we won't stop until all are free.