Trafficking and modern slavery is a heinous crime, which inflicts grave harm on those who are victims of it. Access to compensation is a vital component of criminal justice and redress and recovery for victims and survivors of trafficking and modern slavery.

A compensation award can give survivors a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives and reduce their vulnerability to the risks of re-trafficking and other forms of exploitation. It is also a powerful way to punish and deter traffickers.

Yet, the number of victims who receive compensation from their traffickers is minimal. This is because the current avenues for obtaining compensation from a trafficker are not fit for purpose: they are complex, lengthy, and inaccessible for most survivors

Trafficking and modern slavery is a criminal offence but there is no corresponding civil offence. A civil remedy of trafficking and modern slavery should be introduced into law to allow victims to recover compensation from their trafficker more easily.

Read ATLEU’s new briefing on the need for a civil remedy here

Read ATLEU’s submission to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Review here

Read ATLEU’s report Survivors of trafficking and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme here