Decade of Dignity: A vision for the UK's fight against trafficking and modern slavery
Ten years after the landmark Modern Slavery Act 2015, the UK's response to human trafficking and modern slavery is falling dangerously short. Fragmented policing, siloed support systems, ineffective business regulation, and harmful immigration policies have allowed perpetrators to go unpunished, while leaving survivors without the protection and support they are legally entitled to under international law.
The status quo fails victims, emboldens criminals, and undermines Britain's standing as a global leader in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking.
Decade of Dignity - drafted by a coalition of anti-trafficking and modern slavery organisations, including the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group - sets out a bold strategic vision for the next decade. Built on four pillars - mandatory corporate accountability, a toughened criminal justice response, survivor-centred recovery, and a national strategy for child protection - it moves beyond piecemeal fixes to offer systemic, cross-departmental solutions.
Putting survivors first
At the heart of this vision is a simple but powerful truth: when survivors receive consistent, long-term support, they are able rebuild their lives, are less vulnerable re-exploitation, and can contribute meaningfully to justice and society. Yet the current UK system routinely denies them this chance, offering short-term, process-heavy interventions that create barriers rather than pathways to recovery.
Three deep-rooted failings define the current system. It is not guided by safeguarding principles. It fails to deliver the long-term housing, mental health care, and legal support that international law demands. And the prioritisation of immigration enforcement over victim welfare has entrenched a culture of disbelief that makes it harder to identify and protect foreign national victims.
The reforms needed now
Delivering meaningful change requires concrete changes to law and policy, including:
- Safe accommodation - priority housing status for survivors, with local connection requirements removed
- Long-term advocacy and legal support - independent, means-test-free quality advice and representation for all victims
- Protection from punishment - protection from detention and non-punishment for offences committed as a direct consequence of exploitation.
- A route to stability - five year grants of leave to remain for confirmed victims, with access to public funds, the right to work, and a pathway to settlement
Tackling the root causes
A survivor-centric support system is fundamental to breaking the cycle of exploitation. We call for systemic reform to create a safeguarding-led infrastructure, provide needs-based, long-term support, and remove legal and policy barriers to recovery. This includes repealing harmful immigration legislation and guaranteeing survivors have access to safe accommodation, legal advice, compensation, and a pathway to settlement that enables effective recovery and reintegration, reducing the risks of re-exploitation.
Ultimately, lasting change demands a prevention-first approach - locally, nationally, and internationally - that addresses the vulnerabilities and structural drivers that make people targets for exploitation in the first place. This means protecting all workers regardless of immigration status and ensuring genuine access to remedies and public support when harm occurs.
The UK has the tools and the moral obligation to do better. Decade of Dignity shows the way. To read more click on the arrow below.
