Modern slavery victim pathway created to assist fast access of support to victims

The Modern Slavery Partnership (MSP) has created the first ever victim pathway for modern slavery victims that covers Hampshire, IOW, Portsmouth and Southampton.

In 2019, the Home Office reported 10,627 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the National Referral Mechanism; the Governmental process for identifying a victim of modern slavery, this was a 52% increase from the previous year (NRM Statistics UK, End of Year Summary, 2019).

A number of organisations, Police, Border Force, Local Authorities, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and some NGO’s, have a duty to identify and report modern slavery. The new pathway aims to provide a shared step by step process that simplifies and unifies reporting and better enables access to support for the victims.

Alan Hagger Head of Strategic Commissioning at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Co-chair of the Modern Slavery Partnership Steering Group said: “With the number of victims being identified increasing year on year it is vital that there is a clear process for front line staff to follow should they come across a suspected victim.

“The new pan Hampshire Modern Slavery Victim Pathway sets out the steps needed to ensure victims receive support quickly and the appropriate agencies are involved.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We are actively encouraging all our members of the Modern Slavery Partnership in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton to use the pathway and inform the appropriate agencies should they encounter a potential victim. This will contribute to our vision to make Hampshire a supportive place for victims and a hostile place for perpetrators.”

If anyone has seen or is experiencing modern slavery, they can contact the confidential modern slavery helpline on 0800 012 1700 or for more information go to the modern slavery partnership website