⛓️ Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking

⚖️ MSA 2015 Key Offences

• s.1, Slavery, servitude & forced labour , max life imprisonment
• Section 2: Human trafficking . Arranging or facilitating travel to exploit someone carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
• Section 45: Statutory defence . A child cannot be held criminally liable for an offence committed as a direct consequence of being trafficked.
• Section 52: Duty to notify . Specified public authorities, including schools, must notify the Home Secretary of suspected victims.

🔍 Types of Exploitation

• Labour , agriculture, construction, car washes, nail bars, hospitality
• Sexual , forced prostitution / pornography
• Domestic servitude , hidden in private homes
• Criminal exploitation , county lines, cannabis farms, theft
• Forced marriage , Family Law Act 1996 FMPOs available
• Organ harvesting , unexplained surgical scars

30% of NRM referrals involve UK nationals, not just foreign victims.

⚠️ Warning Signs

• Multiple people at one address; collected at irregular hours
• Scripted or inconsistent answers; answers given for the person
• Appears controlled, fearful, avoids eye contact
• Doesn't know their address or the area they are in
• Someone else pays wages / speaks on their behalf
• Signs of abuse, malnourishment, exhaustion
• Child: unexplained absences, carrying cash or multiple phones
• Child: missing overnight; returning dishevelled or distressed

📋 NRM Referral Process

The National Referral Mechanism is a framework for identifying potential victims. Schools refer cases via their local authority.

• Adults , must consent to referral
• Children , can be referred without consent
• Submit via Home Office online NRM portal
• Reasonable Grounds decision within 5 working days → 30-day reflection/recovery period
• NRM + s.47 CP referral are not mutually exclusive

👶 County Lines & s.45 Defence

Before any criminal justice action against a child, consider whether s.45 MSA 2015 applies:

• Was the offence a direct consequence of being trafficked or exploited?
• Would a reasonable person in the same situation have committed the offence?
• If yes → statutory defence should be considered by CPS/police
• Practitioners should flag trafficking indicators to prevent inappropriate criminalisation
• Refer to MASH as a victim, not just as an offender

📞 Key Contacts