The number of referrals for human trafficking has risen by a third in the past year, according to Home Office figures, with nine out of 10 suspected cases being accepted as victims.
The number of referrals for the period April – 0 June 2022 was 4,171 – the highest number on record since the introduction of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in 2009. This is a government system for potential victims of trafficking to access support and investigate their cases.
Although the number of referrals is at record levels, there are also large numbers of potential victims who have chosen not to be part of the NRM. Their fate is unknown. In the period from April to June 2022, there were 1,125 such cases, also the highest number since these records began in November 2015. These cases included cases of labor and sexual exploitation.
Albanians are the largest national group of suspected victims of trafficking, followed by British and Eritrean victims. Around half of potential victims report exploitation in the UK, with the rest abroad.
Many suspected child trafficking victims are exploited by county criminals. In 2021, there were about 500 of these cases each quarter. The latest quarterly figures show 589 referrals across county lines, the highest number since this data has been collected.
Albanians are targeted by the Home Office for deportation. A recent charter flight to Albania on August 4 deported a mix of foreign offenders and asylum seekers. Home ministry sources said there were no suspected victims of trafficking who were targeted for NRM on that flight.
Campaigners have expressed concern at the lack of support for potential victims of trafficking. Under the new Nationality and Borders Act, support for victims of trafficking is at the discretion of the Home Office.
Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to secure our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Maya Esslemont of After Exploitation, which monitors and analyzes government data on trafficking, said: “We are concerned to see an increase in recorded cases of modern slavery at a time when the circumstances of so many survivors appear precarious.
“Since the Nationality and Borders Act came into force, survivors no longer have a guarantee of support, even if they are recognized as survivors of trafficking by decision-makers at the Home Office. Today’s figures show how urgently this government needs to step up and address the long-term challenges facing each of the victims recognized as NRM statistics.
Irina Pona, policy and impact manager at the Children’s Society, said: “The record number of referrals shows what huge problems modern slavery and exploitation are for all children, whether they are British or migrant children trafficked to the UK.
“More than a third are suspected of having been groomed and coerced – usually with terrifying threats – to commit a crime which could involve drug smuggling in county line operations, while dozens more are believed to be victims of sexual exploitation. Children who are forcibly trafficked here from abroad – or offered to flee war or persecution, sold a dream of a new life with hope – are also often forced to work in places like cannabis farms, car washes and nail bars, or forced to beg.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “We are committed to tackling the appalling crime of modern slavery and in the UK we have a world-leading support system for those who are genuine victims.
“But we also need to tackle any abuse in the system that has contributed to decision-making taking too long, to the detriment of those who really need it.” That is why we have proposed changes through the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and will continue to review and reform the NRM system.”
Add Comment