Data obtained by After Exploitation highlights that survivors of modern slavery rarely access a scheme designed to compensate victims of violent crime.
The Government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) scheme recognises that a payout from the authority will never fully compensate for suffering or loss, but is instead “an acknowledgement of harm and an important gesture of public sympathy.” Under international law, survivors of modern slavery should be able to access compensation schemes for victims of crime.
However, data released by After Exploitation today reveals:
- Only 133 victims of trafficking are recorded as applying for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority since 2021, compared to at least 51,193 modern slavery referrals made during the same period
- At least one in three (n=43) go through the complex process without a lawyer
- 24% who first applied in 2021 or 2022 are still waiting for an initial decision as of May this year
- CICA has confirmed it does not record data on UK victims or those with settled status, leading to concerns around data recording practices
Worryingly, even those who apply may not be granted an award due to victim-blaming restrictions on access. In some cases, victims are prevented from accessing compensation because of unspent convictions or delays in reporting abuse, even if these factors exist because of the abuse itself.
Emily Vaughn, modern slavery research consultant for After Exploitation who co-authored the briefing, explained:
“[A grant from] CICA can pay for the things that survivors have missed out on because of what they have been through. It is not a ‘benefit’, but more a mechanism to bring some sort of normality to people’s lives. It can mean survivors have enough money to get driving lessons, access education after falling out of mainstream learning, or get training to start a new career.”
Recommendations:
- Legal aid access must consistently be made available to survivors who wish to apply for CICA
- All survivors must be informed about CICA by Home Office and charity contractors within the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Modern slavery guidance must reflect their legal duty to do so.
- Remove victim-blaming restrictions on CICA, including award refusals on the basis of the victims’ cooperation with police, the timing of the victims’ application, their nationality or past offences related to their victimisation
- CICA guidance and staff training must be amended to reflect the fact that survivors of modern slavery have exceptional reasons for applying later, not working with the police or offending as a result of their exploitation CICA must record all survivors of modern slavery applying for compensation, including UK nationals and those with settled status
After Exploitation 