Recent Updates on Modern Slavery in East Anglia

Modern slavery in Britain is a growing crisis, with record numbers of victims identified in 2024, including many British nationals and children, prompting urgent awareness efforts and calls for action to combat exploitation.

Recent statistics from the Home Office reveal that in 2024, a record 19,125 victims of modern slavery were referred into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK’s system for protecting victims. This marks a significant increase from the 17,000 referrals recorded in 2023.

However, the actual number of people found in conditions of modern slavery was even higher. An additional 5,598 individuals were identified as victims but chose not to be referred into the NRM. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 24,723 across Britain in 2024.

Alarmingly, British nationals made up the largest proportion of victims, accounting for approximately 23% of those identified. This highlights that modern slavery is not solely a migration issue. Even more distressing is the fact that nearly 6,000 of the victims were children.

Simon John, co-lead of the Diocesan Initiative on Modern Slavery, has estimated that around 1,000 of these victims were identified within the Diocese of East Anglia. “This is a shocking reality,” he said, “but the number of people still trapped in slavery within our Diocese may be as high as 6,000.”

Projections for the future paint a bleak picture. This year, there may be up to 200,000 enslaved individuals in Britain. If current trends continue, by 2037 this figure could reach one million.

In response to this growing crisis, awareness initiatives have been taking place across the Diocese. Throughout March, talks on modern slavery were delivered to diocesan priests during Deanery meetings. These sessions included excerpts from the Vatican’s 2019 document Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking, which provides guidance on combatting modern slavery from a Catholic perspective.

Pope Francis has consistently called upon Catholics to take action on this issue. He has urged the Church to actively seek out and support those trapped in modern slavery, reaffirming our moral responsibility to help the most vulnerable in society.

When asked what can be done to tackle this issue, Simon John explained: “Modern-day slaves are not hidden away. They are working among us, but their wages are often paid directly into their traffickers’ bank accounts.”

To help combat this injustice, the Diocese now has nearly 40 individuals in training to recognise the signs of modern slavery. However, many more are needed. Their efforts have already led to the identification and rescue of three victims within the Diocese.

Many victims are unable to report their condition due to fear, coercion, or lack of opportunity. As Christians, we have a duty to act. Jesus said: ‘I was in prison and you visited me’ – likewise, we are called to reach out to our suffering brothers and sisters.

The police, local authorities, and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) have urged the public to be vigilant. We are asked to be their eyes and ears, learning to spot the signs and reporting concerns safely and anonymously.

If you suspect someone is a victim of modern slavery, please call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.

By working together, we can ensure that the enslaved people in our Diocese are found and freed. Please consider joining this vital mission. further resources can be accessed via the Diocese website by searching ‘RCDEA Slavery.’

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