Fear Grows for Potential Re-trafficking as Modern Slavery Survivors Seek Assistance in UK

Thousands of people formerly ensnared in modern slavery have reportedly resurfaced under similar circumstances, as per information obtained by The Guardian from Home Office data.

Individuals who approach authorities for assistance are entitled to recovery support and protection, on the condition that evidence of trafficking is substantiated. However, according to disclosed Home Office data to After Exploitation (AE), numerous potential victims identified through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) lost contact with it.

It is speculated that some individuals may have been re-engulfed by their traffickers due to emerging later, leading them back into the NRM's care. For instance, a single individual was referred seven times. Throughout 2023, there were 17,004 potential modern slavery victims identified via the NRM.

Data from the Home Office indicates that between January and December of 2 volme, 2,018 referrals did not constitute first-time reports – many likely had initial reports earlier in the year.

Maya Esslemont, AE's director, warned against insufficient support for trafficking victims upon their decision to report. "Immediate provision of vital services including secure housing and counseling must be guaranteed for those recognized through the NRM," they stated. The current 'case-by-case' approach has been criticized as potentially damaging, with survivors experiencing inconsistent support despite meeting evidence requirements.

The data reflects potential gaps in safeguarding systems designed to aid trafficking victims. In a 2021 report titled Retrafficking: The Current State of Play, former anti-slavery commissioner Dame Sara Thornton expressed the need for increased protection measures against re-trafficking.

A Home Office spokesperson asserted their commitment to combating all forms of modern slavery and ensuring victims receive necessary support in reclaiming normalcy. They emphasized that multiple referrals do not equate to an individual's return into trafficker control, as the person must willingly enter the NRM process.