Eleanor Lyons : “British Boys: Highest Risk of Modern Slavery in UK – Study | Crime”

A recent analysis conducted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) thinktank and the charity Justice and Care has revealed that almost half of the victims of criminal exploitation in the UK are British boys under the age of 18. The report highlights the urgent need for new laws to acknowledge these boys as victims of modern slavery and address the prevalent issue of criminal exploitation.

The study, which examined the past four years of data, found that criminal exploitation is the most common form of modern slavery in the UK. Disturbingly, 45% of those affected by criminal exploitation were identified as British boys aged 17 and below, based on referrals to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a system used to identify individuals in danger or at risk of exploitation. The analysis further revealed that the majority of victims were British teenagers and vulnerable adults who were coerced, groomed, or forced into committing crimes for the benefit of others.

One concerning aspect highlighted by the report is the failure of authorities to recognize this form of exploitation, often overlooking it due to the association with criminality. The analysis concludes that professionals, families, and victims themselves frequently fail to label these incidents as “modern slavery” or even “exploitation.”

Eleanor Lyons, the independent anti-slavery commissioner, has voiced her support for the report’s recommendation to expand the Modern Slavery Act and include criminal exploitation. She argues that this inclusion would help address the inconsistent response from police and other agencies towards this problem. Lyons emphasizes that criminals are finding innovative ways to coerce individuals into committing crimes for their own financial gain. She believes that it can be challenging to comprehend the complexities of this issue, but it is crucial to recognize that those targeted by gangs are often forced to offend and are, therefore, victims of criminal exploitation.

The report also identifies several risk factors that increase the likelihood of individuals falling prey to criminal exploitation. These factors include substance misuse, family circumstances, learning disabilities, school exclusion, and financial deprivation. Polling conducted for the report indicates that communities in the most deprived parliamentary constituencies are more likely to witness signs of criminal exploitation, with a quarter of respondents reporting such observations. In contrast, only 15% of individuals in the least deprived communities reported similar signs. Similarly, a quarter of teachers in schools serving the most deprived students encountered suspected criminal exploitation, compared to 12% in the most affluent schools.

Criminal exploitation often manifests in “county lines” drug dealing, where victims are coerced or groomed into engaging in criminal activities through threats, violence, or manipulation. The report calls for the enactment of a new law specifically targeting “cuckooing” – a practice in which victims are compelled to store weapons or criminal proceeds in their homes.

A government spokesperson acknowledged the importance of protecting children from all forms of exploitation and highlighted ongoing efforts to address the issue. As part of the county lines program, the government has invested up to £5 million over three years to support victims and their families. Additionally, the government remains committed to implementing the Independent Child Trafficking Guardian Service across England and Wales. It is also collaborating closely with the police to combat cuckooing by utilizing all available tools and powers.