In 2022, in the UK there were over 100,000 men, women & children trapped in modern slavery
Source NRM end of year summary 2021
In 2021 the number of referrals received is the highest since the NRM began in 2009 (previously 10,611 in 2019)
Similar to 2020, the most commonly referred exploitation types were labour (1,215; 38%), sexual (508; 16%) and criminal (487; 15%)
Only the top three single types of exploitation are shown, in some cases more than one type of exploitation was reported.
Source NRM end of year summary 2021
Throughout 2020, a rapid increase in the identification of ‘county lines’ cases partially drove the increase in referrals for children within the criminal exploitation category. In 2021, cases flagged as county lines have remained at this high level, averaging over 500 referrals a quarter.
Only the top three single types of exploitation are shown, in some cases more than one type of exploitation was reported.
The Clewer Initiative is enabling Church of England dioceses and wider Church networks to develop strategies to detect modern slavery in their communities and help provide victim support and care.
About modern slavery
Understanding modern slavery
What makes people vulnerable to exploitation? How do they become trapped? Who is exploiting them?
Types of modern slavery
Most of us have modern slavery in our communities in the supply of cheap goods and services or forced labour, sexual exploitation, county lines and forced begging.
