⛓️ Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking

⚖️ MSA 2015 Key Offences

• s.1 — Slavery, servitude & forced labour — max life imprisonment
• s.2 — Human trafficking — arranging/facilitating travel to exploit — max life imprisonment
• s.45 — Statutory defence — a child CANNOT be criminally liable for an offence committed as a direct consequence of being trafficked
• s.52 — Duty to notify — specified public authorities (incl. 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 are 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

National Referral Mechanism — framework for identifying potential victims. Schools refer 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