Dame Sara Thornton tells Sky News soaring modern slavery referrals have cause the system to "slow down"

The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner expressed concern that modern slavery victims frequently end up destitute, homeless or even re-trafficked and called for more to be done to support their long term outcomes.

"Child modern slavery referrals soar by 800% in the last five years" (Sky News, 18/10/19)

The independent anti-slavery commissioner told Sky News the system is "slowing down" because of the increasing number of victims of modern day slavery, which she believes is rising "probably by 20% this year".

It comes as referrals of potential child victims of modern slavery made by councils in England have soared by 800% in five years, according to the Local Government Association.

Using National Crime Agency figures, the LGA said the referrals of suspected child victims of modern slavery in England rose from 127 in 2014 to 1,152 in 2018. 

The government previously estimated there are between 10,000 and 13,000 victims of Modern Day Slavery in the UK. Dame Sara Thornton says that estimate "is way below what it is".

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