Emerging Threats in Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking

2025 marks ten years since the Modern Slavery Act 2015 was passed. Despite this landmark legislation, modern slavery continues to rise.   

Walk Free's 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates that in 2021 there were 50 million victims of modern slavery worldwide, an increase of 10 million people since 2016.

It is not only a global problem. In 2015, 3,266 reported cases of modern slavery were identified in the UK. By 2024, that number had surged to a record 19,125 potential victims. The last ten years has also seen a rise in new forms of exploitation such as child criminal exploitation through ‘county lines’ and people being lured with false job adverts and forced to commit scams. 

This highlights the urgent need to look to the future, stop emerging risks early, shape more effective policies, strengthen protection and safeguard vulnerable people.  

Working with Futures experts from Government Office Science, IASC will use futures and foresight methodologies, including horizon scanning, scenario planning, and expert workshops to build a robust intelligence base. This work will: 

■  Identify emerging forms of exploitation and facilitation. 

■  Highlight threats to specific groups such as women, children and UK nationals. 

■  Inform strategic policy and survivor support. 

■  Publish actionable insights and recommendations. 

We are engaging with a diverse network of stakeholders: 

■  Experts from NGOs, academia, law enforcement, and tech. 

■  Organisations supporting children, women, and marginalised groups. 

■  Survivors and individuals with lived experience.

■  Ethical foresight practitioners ensuring inclusivity and accountability. 

■  Futures experts from Government Office Science 

To be part of this work and be informed of any upcoming events and activity please contact: IASC@iasc.independent.gov.uk