Trafficking victims being turned down for compensation in ‘horrendous failing’

Trafficking victims are being turned down for compensation in a “horrendous and clear failing”, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has said, after new figures showed how few people can access support.

Last year over 8,000 people were referred to the National Referral Mechanism as being a potential victim of modern slavery when they were adults but figures obtained from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) by the charity After Exploitation show that less than five non-UK nationals were awarded any financial compensation between 1 January 2023 and 20 June 2024.

During this period only 23 applications for compensation were made for victims of trafficking. 7 people who applied for compensation in 2021 have yet to receive a decision, while 13 people who applied in 2022 are also waiting.

The Compensation Authority only record whether an applicant is a victim of trafficking if they are not a British citizen or do not fulfil other criteria, such as being an EU national or the close relative of a member of the armed forces. Non-UK nationals made up 75% of suspected modern slavery victims last year, who have been brought to the UK for exploitation.

The Commissioner said the data demonstrated a “horrendous and a clear failing” and added: “They deserve and are entitled to compensation and more must be done to ensure they can access it. This is critical to their recovery, and preventing re-exploitation that we know can occur when victims have insufficient means to rebuild their lives”.

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