Written submission from the UK Programme Action Committee,
Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (MSA0012)

The UK Programme Action Committee (UKPAC) of Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI)

The UKPAC provides help & guidance to Soroptimist clubs across the UK in devising, planning & carrying out their project work (known as Programme Action). Representatives from all 17 Regions, as far apart as Scotland North Region and South West & Channel Islands Region, serve on the Committee. We are committed to a world where women & girls together achieve their individual & collective potential, realise aspirations & have an equal voice in creating strong & peaceful communities worldwide. SIGBI has Special Consultative Status at the United Nations. See http://sigbi.org/ukpac/

We have recently undertaken a survey of public knowledge of the problem and will use this as part of our evidence. It was published on 7th July 2018 and is available from our web site[1].

Executive Summary

1.   The true numbers of people enslaved/trafficked is unknown with a variety of estimates available. The number of suspected cases in 2017[2] was 5145, rising from 1746 in 2013 and a rise of 35% over 2016, with the largest exploitation type being forced labour. The UK was the largest source country in 2017, followed by Albania and Vietnam with the UK lying fifth for adults but first for child exploitation.
2.   Legislation across the UK differs between England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This makes a UK-wide analysis more difficult but the data from the NRM is helpful in this regard showing that the numbers notified are greatest in England.
3.   Our survey – reported below – indicates a very low level of knowledge across the public in the UK. It signposts the need to work with the media (all forms) to highlight the problem but also to help people understand the signs of the crime and to know how to report it, preferably via the Unseen web site or app[3].
4.   Success can only be measured through the collection of accurate and timely data. The announcements in 2017 of improvements to the NRM were welcome but we need to see these changes working effectively, efficiently and timeously as well as implementation of the recommendations of the NAO[4] report ‘Reducing modern Slavery’.
5.   Support for victims needs to be much more flexible and longer than provided currently, as does the period allowed for recovery and reflection.
6.   The changes to the NRM might help to improve the effectiveness of the Border Agency and police forces. Coordination of all actors is essential if we are to see the improvements we want.
7.   The new Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner should be truly independent and seen to be so. Coordination of action across the UK is essential but this has not been evident previously. We trust that this will happen in future.
8.   The Global Compact for Migration[5] being developed currently by the UN will be a step in the right direction for combating the scourge, by the worldwide community. This will be presented in Morocco 10-11th December 2018 for adoption by the General Assembly in 2019. We trust that the UK will support this compact and pay particular attention to its recommendations for implementation (paras 40-47[6]).

1.   The current scale and nature of modern slavery
1.    The Global Slavery Index[7] estimates that 45 million people are being exploited and in 2014 the UK Home Office Chief Scientific Officer estimated the number of people in the UK being exploited was 10,000 to 13,000. However, last year (2017) the National Crime Agency (NCA) reported that they estimated the number of people in the UK being exploited may be over 100,000. Modern slavery is the second most profitable crime to drugs crime and we know it often involves organised crime groups with many new trends emerging. As one of the major challenges facing us today, the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking can only be achieved by working collaboratively.
2.   We rely on the NRM figures for detail of the extent of this crime against humanity in the UK. It is to our shame that the UK is ‘top of the league’ for child exploitation for both forced labour and sexual exploitation. This applies to 2016 (with caveats) and 20122. Could this be related to ‘county lines’?
3.    The soroptimist clubs in Northern Ireland undertook a survey of the public’s knowledge of the crime and showed that 21% of respondents thought it was not widespread or did not occur and the most common sources of information were newspapers with social media coming low down on the list. Sexual exploitation and forced labour were thought to be the most common forms with women and children being the usual victims. The UK Programme Action Committee of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland is a member of the UK Modern Slavery Training Delivery Group and was invited to undertake the same survey across the UK. Our survey1 of 9317 respondents (3764 online and 5553 on paper) showed that:
1. 63% of respondents think that human trafficking/modern slavery does not occur, is not local or they do not know about it;
2. Most information was gleaned from the media via TV, radio, newspapers and the wider internet but with popular social media (including Facebook and Twitter) claimed as a source by only 4% of online respondents;
3. 60% of respondents were aware of the different types of exploitation;
4. The distribution of those exploited was less well understood with an average of 44% respondents thinking it did not occur in their locality;
5. 75% were not confident of spotting victims;
6. The police were named as the most popular agency for reporting suspicions (47%) whilst the Modern Slavery Helpline[8] was named by only 15% of respondents.
2.   The impact of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MDSA)
1.    This Act, together with those in Northern Ireland (Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill 2014) and Scotland (The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015), has been a basis on which to build action to combat this scourge across the UK. However, there have been a number of gaps which need to be filled. This inquiry and the review by the Government are particularly welcome.
2.   In Wales a robust and corporate approach to training has been developed and rolled out on a multi-agency basis. This included different tiers of training to a wide range of audiences including first responders, University Student Ambassadors, NHS and the Wales Joint Organised Crime Modern Slavery Hydra for law enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service. Evaluation of the Anti-slavery training and survivor care pathways (SCP) in Wales was undertaken in 2018[9]. The report found that there is ‘evidence of a range of high quality work being undertaken in relation to anti-slavery training. Many stakeholders reported their understanding that Wales is leading the UK in its response to modern slavery and that this is recognised by those working outside of Wales.’ They also stated that much of the work being done in Wales represents an attempt to develop good practice where guidance and precedents do not exist. The report has led to the Wales training programme being rolled out across the UK. Membership is multidisciplinary and involves representatives of all 4 governments, governmental departments and agencies, the IASC, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) UK, police, NHS, Salvation Army and NGOs/CSOs amongst others.
3.    One of the differences in policy and guidance across the UK is the different approach to supply chains. The MDSA includes a requirement for companies with annual turnovers of >£36m to have a statement of their actions to ensure that slavery does not occur in their supply chains. In Wales the Government expects all public sector organisations in receipt of public sector funding to sign up to the code of practice whilst all organisations operating in Wales are encouraged to adopt the code[10].
4.   However, a report from OXFAM UK[11], reveals that the top 6 supermarkets lack sufficient policies and action to provide adequate protection for the human rights of the people they rely on to produce our food. This needs to change.
5.    The National Audit Office published its assessment of the Act in December 20174. In para 23 it says “The Home Office has an incomplete picture of the crime, the victims and the perpetrators. Accountabilities within the strategy are unclear, oversight of victims’ support is inadequate and few cases lead to prosecution or conviction. Until the government is able to establish effective oversight of the modern slavery system as a whole it will not be able to achieve its objective of significantly reducing the prevalence of modern slavery or demonstrate that it is achieving value for money for the resources it applies.” We would endorse this and its subsequent recommendations for improvements.
3.   How to increase understanding and reporting of modern slavery offences
1.    The training programme mentioned above has succeeded in training a large number of individuals and organisations using quality assured presentations and packages; The programmes available are:
1. 30-minute lunch and learn;
2. 3-hour introduction and awareness;

These two courses are designed to give an understanding of slavery, how to spot the signs and report incidents. In addition, others available in Wales are:

3. ‘Lunch & Learn’ 30-minute training course suitable for ‘team meetings’ and short presentations;
4. 1 Day First Responder Course - for delegates from First Responder organisations only as prescribed by the Home Office;
5. Trainer Preparation Course - courses to be run as and when required to maintain the pool of available trainers;
6. 3-day Organised Crime and Modern Slavery Course being delivered from the South Wales Police and North Wales Police ‘Hydra’ Centres for Senior Investigating Officers from Law Enforcement Agencies and Crown Prosecution Service Prosecutors/Crown Advocates;
7. Child Exploitation.
3.   The impact of ‘county lines’, and how this issue can be tackled

We have no particular information on ‘county lines’ but wonder if the unenviable situation of the UK as the largest source country for exploited minors, is related to this; vide supra.

5.   What success in tackling modern slavery would look like, and what benchmarks should be used to measure progress

On the introduction of more accurate reporting and recording, numbers should rise significantly but this may not be due to an increase in the crimes, simply due to greater efficiency in data collection. This might not even be related to higher rates of the crimes but only of reporting. An increase in trust of victims could lead to their greater willingness to be ‘counted’ by the NRM. However, improvements in the whole NRM process, greater collaboration across relevant agencies and the public will be essential of we are to make progress in collecting more accurate and timely data which, in turn, could lead to greater success in combatting slavery/trafficking.

6.   Current levels of support for victims, and how it can be improved

The current levels of support are inadequate. Anyone traumatised by being trafficked or enslaved needs considerable sympathy, time to come to terms with their experience/s and appropriate physical and emotional support, as well as financial support for themselves and those in a position to help them. Evidence from support agencies such as the Salvation Army[12] and Unseen8 demonstrates the increasing awareness of the problems and the need for greater resources to tackle it.

7.   How the police and immigration system's response to modern slavery offences could be improved
1. The changes in the NRM process referred to above are welcome but it will take time to see if they improve our detection and management of the victims. Further, implementation of the recommendations of the NAO report4 would:
1. improve our understanding of the problems;
2. help to ensure effective and efficient auditing of the systems used to address them;
3. enable significant improvements in the way we seek to help the victims of the crimes.
8.   What the priorities for the new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner should be
1.    Ensure adoption of the UN Global Compact on Migration by the UK government and seek to influence the development of its aspirations across the UK, by Crown Dependencies, British Overseas Territories and the British Commonwealth. The details of its recommendations are listed below:
2.   Objectives for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration – from the UN Global Compact on Migration[13]:
1. Collect and utilize accurate and disaggregated data as a basis for evidence-based policies;
2. Minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their country of origin;
3. Provide accurate and timely information at all stages of migration;
4. Ensure that all migrants have proof of legal identity and adequate documentation;
5. Enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration;
6. Facilitate fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions that ensure decent work;
7. Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration;
8. Save lives and establish coordinated international efforts on missing migrants;
9. Strengthen the transnational response to smuggling of migrants;
10. Prevent, combat and eradicate trafficking in persons in the context of international migration;
11. Manage borders in an integrated, secure and coordinated manner;
12. Strengthen certainty and predictability in migration procedures for appropriate screening, assessment and referral;
13. Use migration detention only as a measure of last resort and work towards alternatives;
14. Enhance consular protection, assistance and cooperation throughout the migration cycle;
15. Provide access to basic services for migrants;
16. Empower migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and social cohesion;
17. Eliminate all forms of discrimination and promote evidence-based public discourse to shape perceptions of migration;
18. Invest in skills development and facilitate mutual recognition of skills, qualifications and competences;
19. Create conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute to sustainable development in all countries;
20. Promote faster, safer and cheaper transfer of remittances and foster financial inclusion of migrants;
21. Cooperate in facilitating safe and dignified return and readmission, as well as sustainable reintegration;
22. Establish mechanisms for the portability of social security entitlements and earned benefits;
23. Strengthen international cooperation and global partnerships for safe, orderly and regular migration.

We trust that this inquiry will help to ensure appropriate legislation and support for safe, orderly and regular migration at home and abroad.

August 2018