Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 44
44
Accepted
Paragraph: 138
Evidence-led prosecution guidance for modern slavery cases remains insufficient.
Conclusion
There is an evidence-led mindset in relation to investigating domestic abuse which is promoted by the UK’s College of Policing but which does not seem to be the case for modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT): no equivalent evidence-led prosecution guidance exists for MSHT.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights the dedicated Modern Slavery Unit within the Crown Prosecution Service and the training provided by the College of Policing, suggesting that evidence-led prosecution guidance for MSHT already exists.
Paragraph Reference:
138
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
125. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has a dedicated Modern Slavery Unit (MSU), which provides specialist advice and guidance to prosecutors handling modern slavery cases. The MSU also plays a key role in developing and delivering training to prosecutors and police officers on modern slavery offences and evidential issues. The CPS’s ‘Guidance on Prosecuting Human Trafficking Offences’ assists prosecutors in understanding the evidential and legal complexities of these cases. A thematic review of modern slavery prosecutions, carried out by Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) in 2019, recognised that the guidance was valued by prosecutors and contained relevant and helpful information for practitioners. 126. The College of Policing also provides training to police forces on modern slavery. Its Authorised Professional Practice (APP) guidance provides officers with practical advice on how to identify and respond to potential cases of modern slavery and human trafficking.