People leaving their countries in search of safety or a better life (asylum-seekers and migrants – some of whom are fleeing exploitation in their home countries) and arriving in Europe by sea, face significant risks of exploitation of various forms (sexual exploitation, forced labour) during their journey to a safer haven. These risks do not disappear when they reach EU soil: while waiting for their papers to be processed, they are still at risk of being exploited. This briefing focuses on how the situation is dealt with in hotspots – the first reception facilities for people arriving by sea – that have been set up in Greece and Italy. One of the main challenges is the early identification of victims of trafficking among those who have reached EU shores. This identification is key, as it will determine the follow-up procedures that will apply to them. This briefing provides key figures and background information on these aspects. It also presents the role of EU agencies, in particular the role of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), whose revised mandate is currently being discussed at EU level. This briefing will be followed up in a full study that will provide greater depth on the issues at hand.