Marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Each year, the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons offers a critical opportunity to confront a persistent and uncomfortable truth: modern slavery and human trafficking are global crimes that affect every country, and it is rife in the UK.

A Daily Challenge

In 2024, the UK National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the government’s framework for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, received a record 19,125 referrals, a 13% increase from the previous year. This equates to more than 50 individuals referred every day. Nearly half of those identified were exploited when they were children, and one in four were UK nationals. 

These figures highlight an important reality: while modern slavery is a transnational crime, it also presents a significant challenge within the UK.

A Shared Responsibility

Combating modern slavery is not the responsibility of a single department, agency, or day of observance. It requires coordinated, daily action from all sectors of society. Educators, healthcare providers, business leaders, law enforcement, policymakers, and members of the public each play an essential role.  

I remain committed to advancing systemic improvements in the UK’s response. In this context I will continue to hold the government to account and share best practice. In addition to this day-to-day work, I am working on five key strategic priorities to guide and strengthen the national effort to combat modern slavery and human trafficking. 

1. Strengthening the UK’s response to Forced Labour in Supply Chains 

Modern slavery is embedded in many aspects of our daily lives from local car washes and takeaways to global supply chains that produce the food, clothes and products in our homes. The UK’s current regulatory framework to combat forced labour under the Modern Slavery Act is a voluntary reporting regime. International partners have stronger frameworks, including Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence and Forced Labour Import Bans that the UK could learn from. Any new forced labour regulation needs to be informed by business, as well as international partners and civil society, therefore I am working on a submission to Government on new forced labour regulation, informed by these voices.  

2. Addressing Online-Facilitated Exploitation of Women and Girls 

The digital transformation of commercial sexual services has led to the proliferation of adult services websites, which now function as platforms where trafficking and exploitation are routinely facilitated outside the scope of regulatory oversight. 

There must be a robust response to the exploitation enabled by these platforms. I am undertaking a comprehensive review into how trafficking is facilitated online and advocating for reforms to ensure digital spaces do not continue to serve as vehicles for harm. 

3. Emerging Threats in Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking  

Modern slavery is dynamic, adapting rapidly to global shifts in climate, technology, conflict, and displacement. New threats including digital exploitation and AI-enabled abuse require proactive responses. It is critical that we look back at what has and hasn’t worked and build and adapt our responses on a solid evidence base.   

My work looking at emerging threats will aim to map and anticipate future risks over the next two, five, and ten years, with the goal of equipping the UK to move from reactive to preventive action. 

4. Survivor Voices and Inclusion  

Survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking are often excluded from policymaking processes. Despite their lived experience and understanding of exploitation, their voices are rarely heard in the design, implementation, or evaluation of anti-slavery strategies. As a result, policies risk being ineffective or even harmful for the very people they aim to help.   

I continue to advocate for the Government to establish a Survivor Advisory Council that will enable Government policy to be informed ethically and meaningfully by those who are and have been impacted buy it.  

5. Raising the profile of Modern Slavery internationally 

The international aid budget cuts are hampering international efforts to tackle modern slavery globally and is having huge knock-on impacts on survivors, and those working to support them and prevent human trafficking. As international leadership is faltering, I will continue to work with international counterparts to ensure that best practice is shared with international partners, policy and operational partnerships are maintained, and that modern slavery and human trafficking is adequately prioritised on government agendas globally.  

 
So, as we mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let it be more than a moment of reflection, let it be a call to action. Whether through raising awareness, supporting survivors, or demanding stronger protections and accountability, we all have a role to play.