We speak up for and with trafficking survivors

Who is affected?

In 2023, over 17,000 people were referred to the UK’s NRM. However, it is commonly accepted that this does not represent the actual figure for people exploited in the UK, which is likely to be much higher.

Of those referred in 2023, 61 per cent were exploited in the UK. Approximately half were adults and half were children.

What's wrong?

Immediate support

Survivors of human trafficking and exploitation need urgent care and support immediately after leaving exploitation. But there are currently limited options available.

Our 2020 report, First Steps to Safety? The role of reception centres in supporting people out of exploitation, focuses on the experiences of people removed from exploitation, and asks whether they are able to get the immediate advice and support they need.

In 2017, the government committed to introducing 'places of safety' that would give people leaving exploitation at least three days of immediate accommodation and support. In 2023, the government  announced it would not be moving forward with implementing  'places of safety', leaving people without immediate support options. In anticipation of 'places of safety', the British Red Cross, along with colleagues in the sector, developed principles that underpin early support provision for survivors of trafficking (PDF). These standards place informed consent at the core of best practice. 

Long-term support

For most people who receive a decision through the NRM, support ends shortly after that.  Being recognised as a survivor of trafficking does not now come with any long-term support, meaning many survivors are left facing homelessness, destitution and risks of re-trafficking.

For most people whose cases have been determined, support ends once they exit the NRM.

Our report, Hope For the Future: Support for survivors of trafficking after the National Referral Mechanism, builds on initial findings from our STEP project, co-funded by European Commission’s asylum migration and integration fund (AMIF), which provides long-term support to survivors of trafficking alongside partner organisations Ashiana and Hestia.

The report found that while support ends at this time, the need for it, especially for those with irregular immigration status, continues. This cliff-edge for support makes those we help vulnerable to homelessness, exploitation and re-trafficking. 

The NRM and asylum process

Anyone can become a victim of trafficking and many factors can make people more vulnerable to it. However, migrants and people seeking asylum are particularly in danger of being trafficked, or trafficking may even be a central element of their migration journey.  

Our 2022 report At Risk: exploitation and the UK asylum system finds that people seeking asylum in the UK are at risk of exploitation and have been exploited in the UK. Risks of exploitation and human trafficking increase in times of conflict and displacement. But they can also be a dangerous and harmful reality for refugees and people seeking asylum, after arrival in the UK.

Our frontline teams see first-hand how destitution and homelessness experienced by refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants can leave people vulnerable to exploitation. They also recognise that data-sharing by public services for the purposes of immigration enforcement deters people from reporting abuse and accessing life-saving services. 

People seeking protection in the UK should be safe from further harm. Rather than a focus solely on compliance, policies and practices must keep people safe.