Modern Slavery

"Modern slavery is a hidden crime that devastates lives and communities. Our role as Expert Witnesses is to shed light on these complex cases, ensuring justice is served and victims’ voices are heard."

– Dr. Grace Robinson

What is Modern Slavery?

  • Modern slavery is a violation of basic human rights and encompasses exploitation where individuals are coerced, forced and/or deceived into work or services.
  • It includes human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced marriage and criminal exploitation.

Who is Affected by Modern Slavery?

  • Victims come from all walks of life and include men, women, and children of all ages, though marginalised groups are disproportionately affected.
  • In 2024, 19,125 potential victims were referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in the UK (a 13% increase compared to 2023), highlighting the scale of the issue.

Examples of Modern Slavery in the UK

  • The vast majority of cases of modern slavery will include some form of deception, manipulation and/or coercion
  • The way in which slavery presents in victims can vary greatly, however some signs may include injuries, malnutrition and fearfulness
  • In cases involving British nationals, it is common for victims to be found in possession of illicit items such as drugs, money and weapons, as well as being found in different localities (areas from away from their home)
  • Where victims include foreign nationals, it is common to see restricted freedom of movement and control over identification documents

  • Control and coercion: exploiters use violence, threats, deception or abuse of power to control individuals and prevent them from leaving their situation.
  • Exploitation for gain: victims are used for another person’s financial or personal benefit, through work, criminal activity or sexual services.
  • Restriction of freedom: victims are denied the ability to move freely, communicate openly or make independent decisions.
  • Deception and fraud: false job offers, fraudulent contracts and misleading promises are common entry points into exploitation.
  • Abuse of vulnerability: individuals facing poverty, social isolation, homelessness, drug dependence or immigration insecurity are deliberately targeted.
  • Debt bondage: exploiters create or inflate debts that victims are forced to “repay” through labour or criminal activity.
  • Withholding of documents: passports, ID cards, or personal belongings are confiscated to maintain dependency and control.
  • Intimidation and fear: threats of harm, arrest or deportation are used to silence and subdue victims.
  • Normalisation of abuse: victims often come to accept mistreatment as “part of the job” or believe they are complicit in their situation.
  • Interconnected forms of exploitation: modern slavery rarely exists in isolation - forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and criminal exploitation frequently overlap.

  • Be empathetic and compassionate, building trust with victims and adopting a trauma-informed approach.
  • Log/map any concerns/observations of exploitation.
  • Work collaboratively with multi-agency teams, including police, social care and voluntary organisations.
  • Refer victims to the NRM to ensure appropriate identification, safeguarding and support.

  • Section 45 provides a statutory defence for victims of modern slavery who commit certain offences due to exploitation and compulsion.
  • Those wishing to rely on a defence of modern slavery must satisfy certain criteria.
  • Our experts evaluate the circumstances of cases to identify links between exploitation and offending behaviour and identify whether the criteria for modern slavery has been met.

  • An expert witness provides impartial, evidence-based assessments of the nature and impact of modern slavery in specific cases.
  • We draw on years of academic research and casework experience to inform Courts about the modus operendi of criminal networks, characteristics of modern slavery, exploitation dynamics and victim vulnerabilities.

  1. Contact us to discuss the specifics of your case.
  2. Agree on the scope of the report and timelines.
  3. Provide case files, including prosecution material and key documents.
  4. We conduct a thorough review of case materials, conduct an assessment with your client and provide a detailed expert report that meets all legal standards.
  5. If required, we can attend court hearings to present our findings.

  • Provide clear instructions on the key issues to be addressed in the report.
  • Share all relevant evidence, including police reports, legal arguments, victim statements and NRM documentation.
  • If appropriate – and specifically if your client was a child at the time of the offence - seek to instruct a psychologist/psychiatrist; their findings can be vital for us in highlighting vulnerability to exploitation.
  • Allow adequate time for thorough analysis and report preparation.

Founded by Dr Grace Robinson in 2019.

OUR PRIMARY AIM IS TO SUPPORT VICTIMS AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF MODERN SLAVERY.

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