Three new measures to improve the way in which victims of modern
slavery are identified and supported have been announced,
following a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Modern Slavery
Taskforce on Monday 16 October 2017.
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the system by which
victims of modern slavery are identified and provided with
support, will be reformed to improve both the decision-making
process and support offered.
The first measures to be announced, as part of a broader package
of reforms which will be announced in due course, include:
- a single, expert unit to be created in the Home Office to
handle all cases referred from front line staff and to make
decisions about whether somebody is a victim of modern slavery,
this will replace the current case management units in the
National Crime Agency and UK Visas and Immigration, and will be
completely separate from the immigration system
- an independent panel of experts to review all negative
decisions, adding significantly to the scrutiny such cases
currently receive
- a new digital system to support the NRM process, making it
easier for those on the front line to refer victims for support
and enabling data to be captured and analysed to better aid
prevention and law enforcement
Several of the reform proposals have been shaped and influenced
by the findings of a pilot scheme testing a new approach to the
NRM process, and in consultation with the Independent
Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
The new measures were agreed at a taskforce meeting today,
chaired by Home Secretary .
The Home Secretary said:
The taskforce agreed that reform of the NRM was essential to
make sure the best interest of victims is at its heart. Those
people who are dealing with victims on a daily basis must
continue to be properly trained and have access to the right
information to provide high-quality support tailored to the
unique needs of victims to help them begin to rebuild their
lives.
Members of the taskforce are absolutely determined to deliver a
more efficient decision-making process, with robust quality
assurance, and for all partners to keep working together to
protect victims and pursue offenders. The UK has led the world
in exposing and fighting modern slavery and, as our
understanding of its scale and nature evolves, so must our
response.
Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland OBE said:
Reforming support for victims of modern slavery has been a top
priority for me as the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery
Commissioner. I have previously shared recommendations with the
government to address gaps in support for victims, so I am
extremely pleased that we have been able to rectify
shortcomings, develop solutions and commit to improve the lives
of those who have suffered.
This is a significant step forward in the fight against modern
slavery and reflects the important work of the Prime Minister’s
Modern Slavery Taskforce and the commitment of the Home
Secretary.
Director of the National Crime Agency’s Vulnerabilities Command,
Will Kerr, said:
We welcome the review and digital streamlining of the NRM, and
also the introduction of a dedicated unit to examine referrals
with the appropriate level of expertise. These developments
will enhance the UK’s ability to identify, safeguard and
support potential victims of trafficking and slavery. For
example, in May and June of this year alone, there were 111
arrests and 130 potential victims identified in the UK; the NCA
will continue to lead and co-ordinate UK law enforcement
activity to disrupt traffickers and prevent the most vulnerable
being exploited for profit.
The Prime Minister’s taskforce brings together ministers from
relevant government departments, senior police officers, the
Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, the heads of intelligence
agencies and key practitioners. It was established in September
2016 and aims to do more to bring perpetrators to justice and to
support victims both domestically and overseas.
Subject to discussions in the taskforce, the Prime Minister will
bring forward more detailed reform plans in due course.
