Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking is happening in Northern
Ireland, Justice Minister has warned on Anti-Slavery
Day.
The Minister explained: “Victims are among some of the
most vulnerable and traumatised in the Criminal Justice
system. They may not be recognised as victims and they may not
recognise themselves as victims.
“It is difficult to quantify the true scale of this extremely
lucrative criminal activity within Northern Ireland. This issue
requires a societal wide effort if we are to raise awareness and
successfully tackle this heinous crime and collaborative working
is a key element of this.”
Signs to look out for include:
- People who have been trafficked or enslaved may have
restricted freedom of movement, have no documents or ID, avoid
interactions with other people, and appear to have relationships
which seem abnormal.
- They may show signs of physical or psychological abuse,
including untreated injuries, anxiety, malnourishment, or
unsuitable clothing and equipment for their type of work.
- Their living arrangements can appear unusual, including
living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation, or living
at the same address as their work.
- They may have unusual travel arrangements, including being
picked up by private cars in the early morning and left off late
at night, alone or in a group.
- Children who have been trafficked or enslaved may have no
access to their parents or guardians. They may look frightened
and behave in a way that is not normal for children of their age.
They may have relationships that don't seem right.
- People who have been trafficked or enslaved may often have a
fear of authority figures. They may avoid eye contact or
conversations, and show reluctance to present as a victim.
If you have concerns or see something suspicious you can help by
reporting what you have witnessed. You can contact the PSNI
non-emergency line – 101 or report any concerns you
have to the Modern Slavery Helpline - 08000 121 700.
The Minister added: “I want to take this opportunity to
thank those in our community who play a vital role in supporting
victims and raising awareness of this heinous crime. My
Department, along with you in the community, are united in our
commitment to eradicate Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
and I thank you all for your commitment towards that shared
goal.”
Notes to editors:
- Modern slavery is a term often used to describe offences of
human trafficking and also of slavery, servitude and forced or
compulsory labour.
- In 2023/24 the PSNI Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit
received 496 National Referral Mechanism (NRM) referrals for
potential victims of human trafficking in Northern Ireland. NRM
is a framework for identifying victims of trafficking and
ensuring they receive the correct support.
- For more information on the signs and support visit
www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/modern-slavery-and-human-trafficking
- The Department's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Strategy 2024-2027 is available at www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/modern-slavery-and-human-trafficking-strategy-2024-2027
