The number of potential victims of modern slavery has risen again, this time to nearly 7,000, an 80% rise in just two years.

Last year, 6,993 potential victims were referred, up from 5,142 in 2017 and 3,804 in 2016. Potential victims are reported to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which is there to support and identify victims.

Figures released today by the National Crime Agency (NCA) also reveal a huge surge in the number of British children being forced into modern slavery with the number of cases involving UK children increasing from 676 in 2017 to 1,421 in 2018. The dramatic rise is being blamed on County lines drug gangs who use children as ‘drug-mules’.

According to the NCA’s Roy McComb, the rise in potential victims is due to increased awareness: “The increase is undoubtedly the result of greater awareness, understanding and reporting of modern slavery and that is something to be welcomed.”

Not enough support for victims

The latest figures have also added fresh impetuous to calls for the Government to go further when it comes to levels of victim support.

At the moment, once a victim has entered the NRM, the Home Office must decide whether the person should be classed as a victim, within 45 days. Once they are confirmed, they can then access legal advice, protection, accommodation and support.

But Tamara Barnett from the Human Trafficking Foundation said too often, victims are sent home or disappear: “We’ve heard from police officers who have referred people into the NRM repeatedly because each time they leave the NRM they’re becoming destitute, being re-trafficked and the police are identifying them again”.

There are estimated to be 136,000 people in the UK in modern slavery and concerns have been growing for some time that the Modern Slavery Act does not provide enough support for victims.

Caught in a vicious cycle

CARE’s Senior Policy Officer – Human Trafficking, Louise Gleich said: “These figures are most likely only a sample of the true scale of modern slavery in the UK.

“If we want to bring human traffickers to justice, we need to give victims more support.

“It’s clear the current system is not providing enough support because we have heard of victims being referred to the NRM, then re-trafficked, then re-referred, which means victims are caught in a vicious cycle that we need to end.

“While the Government has increased the level of guaranteed support for confirmed victims of modern slavery, we believe it needs to be a full 12 months.”

Victim Support Bill

The Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill is sponsored by Lord McColl of Dulwich and Iain Duncan Smith MP. It passed the House of Lords easily and is now waiting for a Second Reading in the House of Commons. But without Government support, the Bill will not become law due to the lack of parliamentary time available to debate it.

The legislation would ensure all confirmed victims in England and Wales would receive accommodation, counselling, healthcare, a support worker and legal advice for at least 12 months after the authorities grant victim status.

Last week, an anti-slavery coalition of campaigners handed in two petitions to the Home Office and No 10 Downing Street, calling on the Government to do more to support modern slavery victims.

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