The Size of the Problem Globally and in the UK

Modern-day slavery (MDS) is the illegal exploitation of people with a goal of commercial or personal gain. The UN estimated that worldwide 50 million people were living in slavery in 2021. In the UK, it has been estimated that there are 136,000 victims of modern slavery. Modern-day slavery can take many forms, the main five being forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting. These victims are coming to the UK from many countries, most commonly being Albania, the UK and Eritrea. Victims of MDS can be trafficked through multiple means, including debt bondage, removal of documents, kidnapping, grooming and the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Data from the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is suggesting that cases of MDS within the UK are rising substantially. It will be impossible to bring an end to MDS without dismantling the demand for cheap labour and the societal failings that allow for the exploitation of vulnerable peoples. As long as there is the potential for people to be taken advantage of, there will be perpetrators who do so. However, raising awareness could help reduce the prevalence of MDS.