The Government has announced that victims of modern slavery will have access to safe house accommodation extended to 3 months because of the coronavirus crisis.

This means that vulnerable victims will not be made homelessness or destitute during this difficult period. The Government have also said they will look into providing payment cards to victims, because victims currently receive their financial allowance via their support worker, who they might be unable to access due to self-isolation measures.

Alongside many other groups, victims of modern slavery are especially vulnerable during the coronavirus crisis.

CARE, along with other organisations, has been at the forefront of this push to get the necessary support for victims of modern slavery.

We helped draft an amendment to the Coronavirus Bill which raised awareness to the Government about the vulnerability of victims during the pandemic.

We also coordinated a letter from Parliamentarians which raised concerns following a news story that a victim had been turned away from safe house accommodation.

Whilst there is more to be done to protect victims in the long term, we are grateful that the Government had taken steps to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

CARE will continue to advocate for support for victims of modern slavery during this difficult time to ensure that the vulnerable are not forgotten.