Today, slavery has changed shape. About 50 million people live in modern slavery worldwide, including millions of children trapped in forced labor, forced marriage, trafficking, and sexual exploitation.
The UK Modern Slavery Act of 2015 (in the READ MORE BELOW) was designed to simplify offences, increase prosecutions, protect victims, and push big companies to examine their supply chains. On paper, it criminalizes slavery and trafficking, recognizes children’s particular vulnerability, creates limited defenses for trafficked people forced into crime, and calls for advocates and guidance for child victims.
In reality, data from the UK show thousands of children identified as potential victims each year, many of them teenagers, unaccompanied asylum‑seeking children, and kids exploited through criminal activity, labor, and sexual abuse. One in three trafficked children in local authority care has gone missing, raising the risk of re‑trafficking. Long waits for legal help and mental health care keep children exposed and afraid to come forward.
Legal advocates and researchers argue that the system often treats children as evidence, not as rights‑holders. Even after a child is recognized as a victim, there may be no secure immigration status, no stable housing, and no reliable access to benefits or therapy. Corporate “transparency” reports are frequently boilerplate and vague, confirming that for many companies, modern slavery compliance is a checkbox, not a commitment.
Experts call for community‑based education in high‑risk areas, a genuine public‑health approach that focuses on early identification and trauma‑informed care, and stronger legal protections that make it safe for children and families to seek help. Anti‑slavery advocates insist that ending child slavery also requires confronting discriminatory norms, centering the most vulnerable children, and listening to survivors.
The lesson for all of us—not only in the UK, but in the U.S. and globally—is that laws alone do not keep children safe. Without political will, resources, and community responsibility, children remain at risk of being exploited, disappearing, and being pulled back into the same dangerous systems.
Call to action:
If you are concerned about children trapped in hidden labor, trafficking, or abusive situations, take the next step: learn the signs of modern slavery, support organizations that provide independent advocacy and trauma‑informed care, and and reach out to your elected officials to demand real accountability from governments and corporations.
Read about the available resources and full analysis (below in the READ MORE) to understand how the UK experience exposes the gaps we must close—before more children are used, discarded, and forgotten.
Thank you KARA contributor Eshanee Singh for the research you have provided for this post
The UK Modern Slavery Act, 2015
The UK Modern Slavery Act, 2015. 3
Part 5 – Protection of Victims. 4
s.54 – Transparency in Supply Chains. 5
Modern Slavery and Child Victims in the UK – Criticisms. 5
Slavery in the traditional sense is thought to be relegated to history, but slavery has evolved and still exists today, with an estimated 50 million men, women and children trapped in slavery around the world, according to the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. The boundaries of modern slavery are often unclear and as a result many victims go unidentified and are vulnerable to be perpetually re-trafficked. Critics argue that a lack of political will to take action and hold perpetrators accountable, including multinational enterprises in allowing forms of modern slavery throughout their supply chains, renders any effort to tackle modern slavery meaningless.
What is Modern Slavery?
Article 4 of the UK Human Rights Act, 1998 defines slavery as when someone owns you, while forced or compulsory labour is defined as forced work that someone has not agreed to, under the threat of punishment. The International Labour Organization (ILO) Forced Labour Convention, 1930, states that forced or compulsory labour is all work or service which is exacted from any person under the threat of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily. Slavery was officially abolished by the British empire by the Slavery Abolition Act, 1833, which took effect in 1834. Article 4 of the UK Human Rights Act, 1998, protects against both slavery and forced or compulsory labour.
Yet Anti-Slavery International notes that, although hidden, slavery exists and is controlling the lives of millions of peoples. Anti-Slavery International contextualizes slavery and forced labour in its modern form as when an individual is exploited by others, for personal or commercial gain, whether tricked, coerced, or forced, they lose their freedom. It states that the most common forms of modern slavery include human trafficking for purposes such as sexual exploitation, forced and debt bonded labour, criminality, forced and early marriage, domestic servitude, or child slavery. The ILO states that almost 50 million people around the world were victims of modern slavery in 2021, including about 28 million in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriages. Anti-Slavery International argues that poverty and laws that do not provide adequate protection push vulnerable individuals to dangerous situations and exploitive conditions where their vulnerability is exploited in terms of modern slavery.
The UK Health Security Agency notes that all global regions are touched by modern slavery, with the estimated number of people in modern slavery in the tens of thousands annually in the UK. It defines modern slavery as the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of exploitation.
The United Nations (UN) and the ILO notes that the annual global profit generated from forced labour is estimated at US$236 billion, representing wages stolen from workers and money which is used to fuel further exploitation and to empower criminal networks.
How are Children Affected?
The ILO notes that women and children remain disproportionately vulnerable to modern slavery. Anti-Slavery International states that an estimated 12 million children are living in slavery, including forced labour, forced marriage, sexual exploitation and trafficking for the purposes of exploitation. Anti-Slavery International also notes that children are exposed to some of the worst forms of exploitation through being forced to work in hazardous conditions with dangerous machinery or toxic substances.
The UN notes that in contravention of Article 32 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, majority of the child labour that occurs today is for economic exploitation.
The ILO notes that forced labour affects all population groups, with women and girls being more likely than men to be subjected to physical violence, sexual violence and threats against family members while involved in forced labour. The ILO further notes that incidences of forced marriage, particularly involving children aged 16 and younger, is likely far greater than current estimates can capture, due to narrow definitions that do not capture all incidences of child marriages.
The UK Modern Slavery Act, 2015
In its Explanatory Notes, the UK government sets out the purpose and policy background to the Modern Slavery Act, 2015 (the ‘Act’). It sets out the forms of modern slavery in the UK, the demographics of modern slavery victims and the international instruments defining and prohibiting various forms of modern slavery. The Explanatory Notes references the UK’s 2014 Modern Slavery Strategy which states that the Act consolidates, simplifies and improves existing criminal offences relating to modern slavery into one single act. The Strategy states that increasing the number of prosecutions and convictions for modern slavery offences in a key aim of the Act. Another aim is stated to be more asset confiscation from criminals, funds which are then intended to be directed towards victims and crime fighting agencies. The Act is further intended to capture individuals who facilitate human trafficking and provide law enforcement with additional powers of modern slavery offences investigation at sea.
Similar legislation includes the Australian Modern Slavery Act, 2018, the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, 2010, and the French Corporate Duty of Vigilance Law, 2017.
The key sections of the Act can be described as follows:
Part 1 – Offences
s.1 of the Act creates the offence of slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour. This section states that regard may be had to all the circumstances of a case, for example, personal circumstances, such as being a child, which may make the person more vulnerable than other persons. It further clarifies that the consent of a person to any of the alleged acts does not preclude a determination that the person is being held in slavery or servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
s.2 creates the offence of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view of exploitation, irrelevant of whether the individual, as an adult of child, consented to the travel. s.3 clarifies that exploitation includes slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour, sexual exploitation and exploitation in the context of trafficking for organ removal or for the sale of human tissue. It further clarifies that exploitation includes instances where a person is subjected to force, threats or deception to induce that person to provide services, provide another with benefits of any kind or to enable another person to acquire benefits of nay kind. This includes using, or attempting to use, the person, having chosen that person, on the grounds that they are a child, is mentally or physically disabled or has a family relationship with a particular person.
s.4 provides that it is an offence to commit another offence with a view to committing a trafficking offence, including preparatory criminal conduct such as theft of a vehicle with the intention to use that vehicle to traffic individuals.
Part 5 – Protection of Victims
s.45 creates a defence for slavery or trafficking victims who commits an offence if compelled, by slavery or exploitation, to do it. The defence, however, will not apply in certain serious offences. This section intends to provide encouragement to victims to come forward and provide evidence without fear of being convicted for offences connected to their slavery or trafficking situation. The personal circumstances and characteristics of the victim will be taken into account when determining whether a reasonable person in the same situation as the victim would have done the act.
Under s.47 victims of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour may apply for legal aid in relation to an immigration application, in relation to a claim under employment law, or in relation to a claim for civil damages.
- 48 provides that arrangements must be made to enable an independent child trafficking advocate to represent and support children who are believed to be victims of human trafficking. This independent child trafficking advocate must promote the child’s well being and act in the child’s best interest. The advocate may appoint and instruct legal representatives to act on the child’s behalf.
s.49 provides that guidance must be issued to public authorities and other appropriate persons about identifying victims of slavery or human trafficking and providing assistance to victims. The UK Home Office, in its modern slavery statutory guidance, defines the National Referral Mechanism as the UK’s framework for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery and is one means of ensuring victims receive support and assistance in the period immediately after their positive identification as a potential victim. It states that child victims of modern slavery are their most vulnerable in the first 72 hours after identification and are particularly vulnerable to going missing. The guidance states that local authority should have effective multi-agency plans to cover this critical period, including out-of-hours care.
s.54 – Transparency in Supply Chains
This section of the Act states that certain commercial organizations must prepare a slavery and human trafficking statement each year. A commercial organization is defined in this section as a corporation or partnership, wherever incorporated or formed, which carries on business, or part of its business, in any part of the UK. In the statement the organization must include steps taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains and any part of its business, or a statement that the organization has taken no such steps. The statement may also include the information on the organization’s structure, policies in relation to slavery and human trafficking, its due diligence process, parts of the business at risk, steps taken to assess and manage risk and information on the organization’s training to its staff about slavery and human trafficking. The statement must be approved by the board of directors and signed by a director and also must be published on the organization’s website. The section states that the duties imposed on commercial organization by this section are enforceable by civil proceedings for an injunction brought by the Secretary of State.
Modern Slavery and Child Victims in the UK – Criticisms
The UK’s Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship provides independent advice and support for children who are suspected of being victims of modern slavery. Data has been collected through their referral service and service records to enable more informed decisions about the support a potential child victim may require. From January 2017 to March 2024, the referral service received 9,008 referrals for potential child victims of modern slavery. It is noted that of the 2,478 referrals in the year ending March 2024, the majority were aged 15 to 17, with 20% aged 14 or below and 30% of the referrals were recorded as being unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. It is also noted that the most reported primary exploitation type was criminal, the second most reported was labour and the third most reported was sexual exploitation.
The UK Youth Justice Legal Centre provided commentary on the alarming statistics, stating that the statistics illustrate the disproportionate and increasing number of child victims of modern slavery in the UK. The Centre argues that the statistics leaves significant gaps in the understanding of key issues because they fail to provide insight on any other outcomes besides the referral and decision-making processes. The Centre states that data on the frequency of use and any negative outcomes of the Act’s Section 45 defence would be useful to understand the willingness or reluctance of victims to provide their accounts to authorities.
The Chief Executive Officer of the UK children’s rights and anti-trafficking organization, Ecpat, described the statistics to the Guardian as shocking and further stated that it was likely that thousands of children had since been re-trafficked. The data of Ecpat revealed that the accommodation provided by local authorities increase the risk of exploitation of child victims, with one in three trafficked children going missing and at risk of re-trafficking from local authority care in 2020. The child victims being supported by Ecpat are described as waiting for years for legal advice and access to mental health services, which is argued to heighten their risk for re-trafficking. The CEO describes the UK’s National Referral Mechanism under the Act as nothing more than a tick-box exercise.
Virginia Mantouvalou, Professor of Human Rights and Labour Law at the University College London, authored the piece titled The UK Modern Slavery Act, 2015, Three Years On, in the Modern Law Review, November 2018. Mantouvalou highlights how the Act has and continues to fail victims of modern slavery. For example, under the National Referral Mechanism victims are susceptive to re-trafficking due to the government not recognizing a right to remain in the UK, even if individuals are recognized as victims of human trafficking. It is stated that if victims have no guaranteed right to remain in the country after a positive identification, victims would be extremely reluctant to contact authorities.
It is stated that even with a positive identification as a victim of human trafficking, such decision is no more than a piece of paper when trying to access limited benefits and further re-traumatises victims in having to retell their story over and over when trying to access benefits. The Anti-Slavery Commissioner is cited describing victims not being able to access benefits because they are not able to produce pay slips or meet residency standards. It is argued that traffickers will not act in a victim’s interest to secure a residence permit and if a victim is being sexually exploited or forced into labour it would be impossible to produce the documents required under the Act. These conditions place the victims in the same conditions as those that led to their trafficking, thus increasing their risk of being re-trafficked and going through the system again and again. It is argued that if a victim of human trafficking does not receive a positive identification, their risk of re-trafficking and exploitation is higher.
In describing the Act’s requirements for transparency in a corporation’s supply chains, Mantouvalou states that the Act’s narrow focus on the worst forms of labour exploitation creates the impression that the worst forms of labour exploitation is the only matter where business and corporate conduct should be regulated. She states that even with such regulation, the regulation is very minimal and non-interventionist. It is stated that required corporate statements and reports do not meet the basic minimal requirements; they are treated by corporations as a mechanical exercise with general statements rather than substantive engagement with issues providing detailed explanations of risk assessment processes. Corporate reports and statements are described as being identical templates created by external consultants. It is also stated that these reports and statements can merely state that they have done nothing and are sometimes not signed off by a corporation’s director. It is further stated that while some reports cover supply chain relationships, very few cover contractual relationships such as franchisee relationships and a corporation’s operations overseas.
Mantouvalou argues that the lack of political will and genuine commitment to tackling modern slavery creates vulnerability to exploitation. She further argues that the weakness of the Act, including its slow and weak implementation, suggest that the UK may still be in breach of its positive international and domestic obligations.
Next Steps
The UK’s Youth Justice Legal Centre states that the statistics illustrate that the UK is failing to protect children from exploitation. It argues that solutions with immediate term impact, such as community-based education, training and raising awareness in schools, would be effective methods and that initiatives should be rolled out in target regions where issues are prevalent. It argues that investment in vulnerable regions is fundamental to preventing child exploitation and must be treated as a critical priority.
The UK Health Security Agency argues for a public heath approach to address the physical and mental effects of modern slavery through prevention, protection and prosecution. A public health approach would provide guidance on identifying victims of modern slavery by health and other professional practitioners. A public health approach would also provide victims with appropriate care and security through a culturally competent and trauma informed response. A public health approach with practitioner and community involvement would further address the mistrust and fear of law enforcement due to stigmas and experiences of discrimination. A public health response would rebalance prosecution efforts to meet the needs of victims and address the health impacts of modern slavery. It is argued that local strategic partnerships by public health staff and ensuring awareness training on modern slavery, would increase the opportunities and likelihood of detecting and intervening in potential cases of modern slavery, therefore placing public health in a unique position to better address and prevent instances of modern slavery.
Anti-Slavery International advocates for four steps in which child slavery can be tackled. One being legal protection, through national and international law, which prevents, prohibits and protects children from slavery. Two, addressing social, cultural and religious norms that enables child slavery, while working closely with communities and survivors to make culturally appropriate and sustainable choices. Three, leaving no child behind by focusing on gender, disability, caste and other forms of discrimination which may leave children particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Fourth, empowering children to share their insights and stories to help shape policy.
“Wherever you live, take five minutes to find your elected representatives, ask them what they are doing to protect child victims of modern slavery and hold corporations accountable—and then share their answers with your community so that silence and inaction are no longer an option.”
Organizations providing independent advocacy
and trauma‑informed care (UK & international)
“Here are UK and international organizations that provide independent advocacy, trauma‑informed support, and system‑level pressure against modern slavery and child exploitation.”
Barnardo’s – Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG), England & Wales
Specialist independent advocates for children who are suspected victims of trafficking and modern slavery, helping them navigate criminal justice, immigration, and social care systems with trauma‑informed support.
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Website: https://www.barnardos.org.uk (search “Independent Child Trafficking Guardians”)
ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking)
Child‑rights NGO providing advocacy, direct support and participation projects for children affected by trafficking and modern slavery, alongside policy work.
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Website: https://www.ecpat.org.uk
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Young people support/contacts: https://www.ecpat.org.uk/pages/category/supporting-young-people
Unseen UK – Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline
Anti‑slavery charity providing confidential advice, support and referral routes for victims, professionals and the public; runs the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline.
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Website: https://www.unseenuk.org
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24/7 UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline: 08000 121 700 (free, confidential).
Hestia – Modern Slavery Response (London & Kent)
Provides safe houses, outreach, advocacy and recovery support for adult victims of modern slavery in London and Kent, including trauma‑informed care and practical assistance.
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Website: https://www.hestia.org/modernslaveryresponse
Bawso (Wales)
Delivers the Modern Slavery Victim Care and Coordination contract in Wales, providing safe accommodation, advocacy, and support (including for women and children) in partnership with police, health and other agencies.
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Website: https://bawso.org.uk (linked in Welsh Government guidance)
Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs), England & Wales – delivered by Barnardo’s
Independent advocates who work directly with trafficked children (especially those without a parent in the UK) to build trust, champion their best interests, and support professionals to make trauma‑informed decisions.
NSPCC – Child Trafficking and Modern Slavery (UK)
Provides information, training, and a 24‑hour helpline to protect children from trafficking and modern slavery, with a focus on safeguarding practice and trauma‑aware responses.
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Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-trafficking-and-modern-slavery
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Helpline (UK): listed on NSPCC main site (for concerns about a child).
Anti‑Slavery International (international)
Oldest international anti‑slavery organiZation, working at local, national and global levels to end all forms of slavery, including child slavery, and to hold governments and corporations accountable.
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Website: https://www.antislavery.org
Walk Free (global)
International human‑rights group focused on eradicating modern slavery through research (including the Global Slavery Index), advocacy with governments and business, and movement‑building.
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Website: https://www.walkfree.org
Global Modern Slavery Directory (international service locator)
Public, searchable directory of 700+ organisations and hotlines around the world working on human trafficking and forced labour—useful to help readers find local advocacy and survivor‑support services.
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Directory: https://www.globalmodernslavery.org
How UK readers can contact elected officials and demand accountability
Push for stronger protection of child victims, better enforcement, and real corporate accountability.
1. Contact your MP (Member of Parliament)
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Use the official “WriteToThem” tool or the UK Parliament website to find your MP by postcode (e.g., search “find my MP” and use links from parliament.uk).
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UK Parliament lookup: https://members.parliament.uk/members/Commons
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Email or write to your MP about modern slavery, child trafficking, and failures of the Modern Slavery Act, asking specific questions about what they support.
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Request that your MP press the Home Office, Justice Department, and relevant committees on: victim protection (especially for children), the National Referral Mechanism, supply‑chain enforcement, and funding for trauma‑informed services.
2. Engage devolved and local government
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Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland: use the Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), and Northern Ireland Assembly websites to find MSPs/MSs/MLAs and raise concerns about local implementation, safeguarding, and health‑service responses to exploitation.
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Local authorities: each council website lists councilors and safeguarding/child protection contacts; readers can raise concerns about missing trafficked children, safe accommodation, and support for trauma‑affected young people.
3. Use official reporting and helplines
Include these as concrete action points for readers who suspect exploitation:
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UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline (Unseen): 08000 121 700 – for advice, referrals, and confidential reporting.
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Crimestoppers (UK, anonymous): 0800 555 111 or online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org – for anonymous reporting about suspected modern slavery and related crime.
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National Referral Mechanism (NRM) guidance: GOV.UK page for first responders (and general information about how victims are referred and supported).
“If you’re in the UK and worried about someone, you can call the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you are a professional ‘first responder’, use the National Referral Mechanism guidance on GOV.UK to ensure children are identified and supported.”
4. Simple advocacy tips for UK & international readers
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State clearly that you are constituents and give your postcode or local area.
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Name the issue: e.g., “protection for child victims of modern slavery,” “closing re‑trafficking gaps,” “enforcing supply chain transparency.”
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Ask direct questions:
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“What are you doing to ensure child victims of trafficking are not left without status, housing, or support?”
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“Will you support stronger enforcement of transparency and due diligence in corporate supply chains?”
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Keep messages short, polite, and specific, and follow up when you receive replies.
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Share responses with local networks, faith communities, unions, and professional bodies to build pressure.
#ModernSlavery
#ChildTrafficking
#ChildProtection
#HumanRights
#UKModernSlaveryAct
#EndChildSlavery
#TraumaInformed
#KidsAtRiskAction
KIDS AT RISK ACTION / KARA / INVISIBLE CHILDREN
