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Growing Concerns Over Trafficking Victims Rejecting Government Support
Recent reports indicate that thousands of victims of human trafficking are opting out of support offered by the UK government, primarily due to fears related to authorities and potential deportation, according to insights from legal professionals.
Data reveals that nearly 6,000 trafficking victims chose not to engage with the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) last year, an initiative established to assist individuals affected by modern slavery. This information is drawn from investigations conducted by the British Institute for International and Comparative Law and the Human Trafficking Foundation at the University of Oxford. Reasons for rejecting support vary, including fear of traffickers, receiving aid from alternative sources, a desire to move past their trafficking experiences, and hesitation to interact with UK authorities.
In total, over 19,000 referrals were made to the NRM last year, yet a remarkable rise in the percentage of individuals refusing support has been recorded. The refusal rate at the initial stage has surged by 290% in a span of two years, escalating from 12% in 2022 to 47% in 2024, as highlighted by findings from the organization After Exploitation. Additional research from After Exploitation shows that only a small fraction of cases—just 133 out of 51,193 modern slavery cases reported to the Home Office between January 2021 and May 2024—have resulted in compensation applications by victims.
Freedom of information statistics obtained by the Observer reveal that thousands of trafficking survivors from Albania and Vietnam, two major source countries, have been returned after participating in the NRM. This return process included both voluntary and enforced measures. Between January 2020 and September last year, 2,427 victims were sent back to these nations, all of whom were recognized as trafficking victims either through positive reasonable grounds or positive conclusive grounds decisions.
Liz Williams, the head of policy impact at the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre, expressed concern over the 6,000 individuals opting out of statutory support, labeling it a sign of a struggling system under sustained pressure. “Our findings indicate that many individuals are hesitant due to fears surrounding authorities or low confidence based on poor information about the support system in place for them. This skepticism is compounded by stringent immigration laws that threaten to remove key protections for survivors,” she stated.
Last month, a discussion in Parliament marked the tenth anniversary of the innovative Modern Slavery Act, introduced by former Prime Minister Theresa May. During the debate, Craig Murray MP referenced the NRM’s current state, pointing out its significant backlog and the alarming average processing time of 831 days for trafficking cases. “The tool is currently all but broken down,” he declared.
In response, safeguarding minister Jess Phillips noted the appointment of 100 new staff members aimed at addressing the NRM’s backlog, with a target to resolve these issues by December 2026.
Esme Madill, a solicitor with the Migrant & Refugee Children’s Legal Unit overseeing a project entitled Breaking The Chains for young Albanian trafficking victims, reported that many victims faced retrafficking after being sent back to Albania. “The government’s current strategy regarding Albanian trafficking victims, which claims they can safely return, is proving detrimental, as many individuals, including children, are being exploited again, both in the UK and in Albania,” she remarked.
Madill detailed the grim conditions faced by these individuals: “Young people endure confinement in hazardous environments, often chained in grow houses and left alone for up to 23 hours daily. The psychological and physical toll is severe. Tragically, we have supported a 17-year-old girl who, despite escaping trafficking, was sent back to Albania and subsequently coerced into prostitution.”
According to a report from the House of Lords addressing the Modern Slavery Act, published last October, a mere 2% of trafficking victims have seen their traffickers prosecuted. This statistic raises further concerns, as research from the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre indicates that there may be more victims of trafficking than there are perpetrators incarcerated.
Williams emphasized the need for reform: “A decade after the Modern Slavery Act was enacted, the promise of justice remains unfulfilled. Every year, thousands suffer severe exploitation, facing violence and intimidation. A fresh approach is necessary to prevent exploitation, focusing on the root causes such as poverty, social exclusion, and the lack of opportunities for individuals to support their families.”
In a response to the ongoing issues, the Home Office stated it is “committed to addressing the backlog of NRM conclusive grounds decisions following a record number of referrals last year. Individuals seeking asylum and who are potential victims of modern slavery will be treated with care, ensuring that those at genuine risk of serious harm are not coerced into returning to their home countries.”
Source
www.theguardian.com