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Report reveals growth in modern slavery victims 

A new report has revealed the continued growth in victims of modern slavery requiring support from The Salvation Army.

It highlights that 1,554 people have been referred to the organisation between July 2016 and June 2017, including 44 from the Eastern region.

This is more than a 300 percent increase since 2011/12 (378) – the first year when The Salvation Army started running the Government contract for victim support.

The report identifies trends in the development of modern slavery in the UK, such as the breakdown in types of exploitation. This year 48 per cent (741 people) of those referred to the Salvation Army had been trafficked for sexual exploitation, 39 per cent (606 people) for labour exploitation, and 13 per cent (195 people) for domestic servitude.

Overwhelmingly, the largest proportion of victims were referred from London (42 per cent), although referrals were received from all over England and Wales, demonstrating the prevalence of this problem and the need for everyone to be alert to the signs of modern slavery in their own communities.

Also revealed are the 95 different source countries for people being exploited in England and Wales. For the fourth year running the highest number of female clients who were supported by The Salvation Army were Albanian (346 women), followed by Nigerian (140 women). The highest number of male clients who entered the service were the 101 men from Vietnam.

The Salvation Army’s Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery, Anne Read, said: “Year on year we are witnessing progress in the way the UK tackles this crime. We see high levels of dedication, commitment and innovation from the people who work for The Salvation Army and alongside us to provide the most effective service we can to families and individuals who deserve the very best we can give, having suffered at the hands of people who would abuse and exploit them.

“We are strongly committed to working in partnership and believe that there is more to be achieved when we combine forces and collaborate in our efforts to prevent trafficking and protect its victims. The Salvation Army is in this fight for as long as it takes for the war to be won,” said Anne.

Download the report here.

Read more here

 


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