The Impact of Covid-19 on the Identification of Victims of Human Trafficking in the UK

The impact of Covid-19 left a transformative legacy on the UK as well as the rest of the world. Many different types of individuals who are part of vulnerable groups were detrimentally affected in various ways. One such group are trafficked victims who were especially affected by the social restrictions occurring at the same time as their exploitation. Discussion as to the impact Covid-19 had on the identification of trafficked victims is important. The effect during the pandemic was that victims had either less opportunity to self-identify themselves as victims or be identified by frontline agencies. Therefore, without individuals being identified, victims were not able to access the support and services required to assist them escape their exploitation and recover from their traumatic exploitative experiences.