Hope at Home, a national charity dedicated to supporting survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking facing homelessness, calls for urgent reform as the government releases its latest National Referral Mechanism (NRM) statistics. The latest figures highlight an alarming increase in referrals to the NRM – the system designed to support modern slavery victims. In fact, in 2024 the Home Office received a staggering 19,125 referrals regarding potential victims of modern slavery. This represents a worrying 13% increase based upon the previous year, marking the highest ever number of total referrals since 2009 and the inception of the NRM itself.
The most common nationalities referred were UK nationals at 23%, Albanian at 13%, and Vietnamese at 11%. There were 5,598 reports of adult potential victims via the Duty to Notify (DtN) process – the highest number of reports received in a year since the NRM began – indicating there’s a growing crisis of modern slavery in the UK. The DtN process is where authorities must record that a survivor has refused NRM support – suggesting that victims are becoming more fearful to engage with the systems designed to support them, most likely for fear of deportation.
As a charity working with survivors directly, Hope at Home sees the impact of these figures on survivors every day. Having faced the trauma of exploitation and modern slavery, these vulnerable individuals face further challenges after escape, experiencing homelessness and destitution. Our hosts provide a lifeline – offering a safe spare bedroom and a chance for a survivor to build their lives – helping to prevent re-trafficking and further exploitation.
“We are deeply concerned by the rise in the number of potential victims. The latest figures show a worrying upward trend that we are seeing in real-time throughout our work,” said Helen Hodgson, Operations Director at Hope at Home. “They also underline the real and pressing need for more comprehensive support for survivors – not just in terms of recovery but also in accessing safe and stable housing. This is where Hope at Home plays a role.”
As the UK government wrestles with the impact of recent immigration reforms such as the 2022 Nationality and Borders Act and the 2023 Illegal Migration Act, there is growing anxiety that some survivors may be hesitant to come forward due to fear of deportation or not being believed. This is made worse by the complex and sometimes inaccessible processes that survivors have to navigate in order to access support.
“The rise in DtN reports points to a need for greater trust and accessibility in the NRM system,” said Helen Hodgson. “The government must make sure that the system responds to the needs of survivors. We must work on addressing barriers to reporting and boosting resources to support individuals after slavery.”
Hope at Home remains dedicated to offering safe accommodation and support to modern slavery survivors facing homelessness, working alongside its hosts, key partners and local authorities to ensure that survivors have the stability they need to recover and rebuild.
For more information about Hope at Home’s work or to become a host, please visit our website at hopeathome.org.uk.
