Topic primer

Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting or holding a person by use of threats, coercion or deception in order to exploit them. Essentially, it is the oppression and abuse of people motivated by financial or personal gain. It is often described as a form of modern-day slavery.

Trafficking happens in all parts of the world, both across international borders and within countries. Because trafficking is, by nature, a hidden and secretive crime, it is hard to know precisely how many people are affected. However, research shows there are now more people enslaved around the world than in all the 400 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. An estimated 40 million people are in modern day slavery worldwide. Trafficking for sexual exploitation is the most common globally with 54 per cent of all identified victims. Forced labour and domestic servitude is the second most prevalent, accounting for 38 per cent victims.

Each year about 5,000 men, women and children are identified as possible victims of trafficking in the UK, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are thought to be 10,000 – 13,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK. A 2018 estimate by the Walk Free Foundation suggests there may be ten times that number: 136,000 people hidden in modern slavery in the UK.

Over 5,000 referrals were made to the UK authorities in 2017, where people were identified as potential victims of trafficking. This is an increase of one third from 2016 and includes individuals from 116 countries and over 2,000 children. 34% of these people referred were in sexual exploitation and 46% were in labour exploitation.

The UK is also among the top 10 ‘source’ countries for trafficking victims in our own country. In particular, British children are being trafficked by organised groups. They groom them, developing relationships, often plying them with gifts, alcohol and drugs, before forcing them into prostitution or to sell drugs in towns across the country (so-called “county lines” activity). British men are also being trafficked within the UK for exploitative labour.

Victims of trafficking are often tricked into coming to the UK by false promises or because of threats against them or their family. People are trafficked into prostitution, pornography, agricultural and building labour, manufacturing, domestic servitude, forced begging, benefit fraud, petty criminality and organ removal. They are forced to work for little or no pay; they may have limited freedom and poor living conditions. Many experience physical or emotional abuse.

When someone escapes from slavery, they need somewhere safe to say, medical treatment, mental health support, legal advice, education and support to rebuild their life.

Unlike victims of modern slavery in Northern Ireland and Scotland, the law in England and Wales does not currently give victims a right to support. This has left many victims of modern slavery homeless, destitute and at risk of being retrafficked.

CARE is working to ensure that our current laws on human trafficking are implemented effectively and we are continuing to call for further action where we believe it is needed.

Find out more about what CARE is doing to fight human trafficking.