Many people assume that slavery is an issue that is far away from us – something that only happens on the other side of the world.
But the uncomfortable reality is that trafficking and slavery happen right here in the UK, in regular, everyday places where people like you and I live.
Here are some key facts and figures about modern day slavery and human trafficking in the UK:
How many people are trapped in slavery in the UK?
Over 122,000 people are estimated to be trapped in slavery in the UK (Global Slavery Index, Walk Free). That’s more than the capacity of Wembley Stadium. Romanian nationals are some of the most identified victims.
“The problem is huge. Every police force in the UK has many cases involving trafficking of Romanians for sexual exploitation.” - IJM UK Liaison Officer
Has modern day slavery increased in the last few years in the UK and across Europe?
The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) is reporting a significant increase in referrals for modern slavery and trafficking.
In 2023, 8,377 referrals were made on modern slavery and human trafficking solely in the UK, an increase of 4.6% on 2022. (National Strategic Assessment for modern slavery and human trafficking 2023).
This violent crime is growing at an alarming rate across the UK and Europe, with Europol suggesting organised crime groups are increasingly trafficking victims across borders.
Samara’s story of trafficking
Samara* was exploited by a man she thought was her boyfriend. Trafficked to the UK from Romania, Samara expected a loving relationship – but instead she was betrayed and met with shocking violence:
“I remember the first evening when I was on the street, I got beaten so badly because I wouldn’t get in anyone’s car.” – Samara
Not only did Samara suffer brutal sexual and physical violence, she was forced to live in a car for weeks on end. She remembers being starving and freezing.
“[I] didn’t have a place to even wash after a night. It didn’t matter to him that you are a woman.” - Samara
After five years of exploitation in the UK and Romania, the traffickers decided to replace Samara with younger, ‘more profitable’ women. Finally able to return home and seek the support of her family, Samara bravely reported the abuse to the police.
IJM provided Samara with urgent medical and psychological care, as well as vital legal help. With IJM’s support, Samara bravely decided to testify against the trafficker in court: “This man had done so much to me. I was very determined. I had to win.”
Samara’s determination paid off: with IJM’s help, four traffickers were sentenced to five years in prison and Samara received compensation – not only obtaining justice for her but preventing future exploitation of more women.
How are people trafficked to the UK?
Traffickers often mislead at-risk women and men with the promise of a better life.
People can be tricked in many different ways, from false job offers to the ‘lover boy’ method, where traffickers gain the trust of women by pretending to have a romantic interest in them – sometimes even making marriage proposals – before exploiting them.
Is human trafficking the same as people smuggling?
These two terms refer to different crimes. In human trafficking, vulnerable people are transported within a country or across borders to be exploited for gain by traffickers. Human trafficking may or may not involve crossing of borders.
Meanwhile, people smuggling involves the smuggler obtaining a financial gain by facilitating an irregular border crossing of a person.
Usually, the relationship between the smuggler and the migrant is a commercial one which ends once the border is crossed. However, in human trafficking, the relationship between the trafficker and the victim involves ongoing exploitation to generate profits for the trafficker.
A person who has been smuggled could be trafficked upon arrival. Similarly, a trafficker could use an irregular crossing to transport a trafficking victim to another country. However, there is still a distinction between smuggling and human trafficking and it is crucial this distinction is understood by authorities.
What laws exist to combat human trafficking?
The UK enacted the Modern Slavery Act in 2015. It provides punishment and penalties for modern slavery offences and support for victims by providing access to housing, medical care and legal aid.
The Modern Slavery Act also created the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s position to encourage good practices in detection, prevention and prosecuting of modern slavery offences and the identification of victims.
The legislation also requires businesses to publish modern slavery statements and encourages transparency in supply chains of businesses with a turnover of more than £36 million by requiring them to report on steps taken to combat modern slavery.
The effectiveness of the Act has been under review, and discussions have been ongoing as it completes its 10th year of enactment.
How can I help stop modern day slavery in the UK?
Through our European Anti-Trafficking Programme, IJM works with police and partners in the UK, Romania, Germany, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria to help bring victims to safety and support survivors as they heal and pursue justice.
Together, since 2019, we’ve supported over 77 survivors of trafficking in the UK, and helped convict 40 traffickers in Europe. Supporting IJM’s work is one of the best ways you can help stop cross-border trafficking and slavery in the UK.
London’s Metropolitan Police awarded IJM with two commendations for providing invaluable support to survivors of trafficking.
“With the amazing help of IJM, we have offered practical support to survivors, from counselling to social care, housing and even skills courses.” - Detective Constable Lore Hancock, London Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command
*Pseudonym. Images of actor used, and images of survivor obscured, to protect their identities.