This paper presents an overview of the situation in Europe and its evolution during the last nine years. This paper is based on information collected by UNODC in the framework of the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), published in the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons in February 2009. Data on the trafficking situation in Europe was gathered from national authorities by UNODC and the UN-affiliated European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI). The researchers contacted the relevant national governments to collect available data in three subject areas: Legislative and administrative frameworks, Criminal justice data, and the profile of the offenders, and Numbers of victims identified and their profiles. The information presented pertains to the 2003-2008 period.