More than 10,000 potential modern slavery victims were referred to UK authorities last year, new figures reveal – a 52 per cent rise on the previous year.

According to Christian charity CARE, the number of potential victims referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in 2019 was 10,627.

Two-thirds of these individuals said that their exploitation occurred in the UK, while 26 per cent said it took place overseas.

More than 40 per cent of individuals referred to the NRM said the exploitation took place when they were children, with forced labour being the most frequent type of exploitation described.

Nola Leach, Chief Executive of CARE, said the rise in referrals was “incredibly disturbing”:

“While some of this can be attributed to increased police focus on modern slavery and forces becoming better at identifying potential victims, such a big jump in referrals is still shocking. 

“We must never forget that behind these statistics are real people, whose lives have been cruelly ruined by those who would treat them as mere commodities.”

She called on the UK Government to publish clear guidance for public authorities to better equip them to identify victims and support them out of exploitation.

The fact that modern slavery is so prevalent in the UK is highly concerning. Such injustice exists in every nation, even societies as free and democratic as ours.

It’s great that organisations like CARE are speaking up for victims and urging the Government to do more. As individual Christians we can support them in their work, and be vigilant to the potential modern slavery victims living in our towns and communities.

Will you join us in this prayer?

‘Lord, you defend the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Would you expose the injustice of modern slavery and root it out from the UK. And would you give wisdom to our leaders as they seek to tackle it in all its forms?’

In Jesus name,

Amen