30th July 2023 marked World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are 24.9 million victims of human trafficking. The UK has seen an increase in modern slavery victims since the NRM began in 2009. In the last quarter of 2022, potential victims were most commonly referred for labour exploitation only. This exploitation type accounted for 31% (1,358) of all referrals. Criminal exploitation was most commonly reported for child potential victims (42%; 820). The most common nationality referred in 2022 was Albanian (27%; 1,181). UK nationals accounted for the second most commonly referred nationality with 1,133 referrals (26%), recording their highest quarterly number since the NRM began.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Person was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/68/192.
Southwell and Partners specialises in representing victims of trafficking and many aspects on modern slavery law. The firm has been involved in most of the non-prosecution and non-punishment cases of the last decade.
