Demand for modern slavery victim support continues to grow reports Salvation Army

1,331 people entered the care of The Salvation Army between April 2015 and March 2016 making the total number of victims receiving support during this time over 1,800. This contrasts sharply with the first year that The Salvation Army offered this service for all potential adult victims of human trafficking and modern slavery in England and Wales, which was 378.

The Salvation Army supported 829 (62%) women and 502 (38%) men. There were also six transgender people supported.

44% of people supported by The Salvation Army had been subjected to sexual exploitation and 42% had been exploited for labour. A further 13% were victims of domestic servitude. Over the five years The Salvation Army has been managing this contract the breakdown of types of exploitation has remained mainly consistent.

Albanian remains the nationality from which the highest number of victims are referred to The Salvation Army. Large numbers of people are also trafficked for exploitation from Poland, Nigeria and Vietnam as well as a significant proportion of British citizens who have been trafficked within the UK. Details can be found within the report. 

Anne Read, Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army said:

“The Salvation Army’s commitment to fight the scourge of slavery and human trafficking is as strong today as it was more than 150 years ago when our work started in the East End of London. The fight against slavery continues today in each of the 127 countries in which we work as the need and resources allow.

“In the past year in the UK, demand for support for victims of modern slavery has continued to increase. Through the Modern Slavery Victim Care and Coordination contract, we, and our partner organisations, have adapted our service to support the ever-growing number of people being referred to The Salvation Army from England and Wales.

“To combat modern slavery will require a continuing concerted effort from across society. We need people to keep their eyes and ears open to suspicious activity they encounter in everyday life such as the nailbar or the car wash with unbelievably cheap prices. Everyone from official agencies, frontline workers, Government, NGOs and, importantly, the general public has a part to play in defeating the perpetrators of these crimes and securing the safety and the best outcome for people currently trapped in slave-like conditions – unable to escape and forced to do things against their will.”