What types of exploitation have the victims experienced?
The data tables which provide a breakdown of information on referrals also include a summary of the types of exploitation of those suffered by those identified as potential victims. The include criminal exploitation, labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and organ harvesting. The data summarises the number of referrals for each category of exploitation, including where multiple forms of exploitation were experienced (please see above for more detail on the differences in exploitation type by adults/children).
Looking at cases where only one form of exploitation was experienced, the most common form of exploitation identified in 2024 was labour exploitation, with 6,153 referrals. In 2023, however, criminal exploitation was the most common form of exploitation identified. In 2024, criminal exploitation made up 4,548 of the referrals, and sexual exploitation made up 1,898 of the referrals made. However, a large number of referrals, 2,166 cases, were referred under ‘not specified or unknown’ exploitation, which raises concerns over the level of detail provided within the referral forms.
Where did the exploitation take place?
In 2024, 43% (8,268) of the potential victims claimed that they were exploited in the UK only, which has decreased in comparison to the 49% in the previous year. 44% (8,372) claimed they were exploited overseas which has increased from the 36% in 2023. This was the first year that overseas exploitation has overtaken the number of potential victims claiming exploitation exclusively in the UK.
The decision-making process
Of those 19,125 identified in 2024, 77% of those potential victims (14,790) were sent to the Single Competent Authority (SCA) for consideration of their case and 23% (4,335) were sent to the Immigration Enforcement Competent Authority (IECA).
In 2024, 20,090 reasonable grounds (RG) and 17,304 conclusive grounds (CG) decisions were made. 53% of RG and 56% of CG decisions were positive. There is a represented increase of 78% compared to 2023, of the number of CG decisions being made.
For the 9,501 negative reasonable grounds decisions issued this year, the most common reason for issuing negative decisions was that the referral had insufficient information to meet the standard of proof required (52%; 4,954). The second most common reason was that the referral did not meet the definition of modern slavery (41%; 3,934) and the third was that the referral was not credible (5%; 528).
The backlog of CG decisions is increasing every year which is causing potential victims to be in a state of limbo whilst they await their decision. The average (median) time potential victims have had to wait for a CG decision (across both competent authorities) is 637 days.
In October 2024, the Minister for Safeguarding, Jess Phillips, has pledged that tackling modern slavery is one of her top priorities and to eradicate the back log of CG decisions within 2 years. To do this, 200 additional Home Office staff have been hired, starting their roles in early 2025, to process cases to deplete the number of potential victims from waiting for their decision.