Recommendation 11

Excluding certain victims from protection increases the likelihood that their cases will not be adequately investigated or prosecuted and, therefore, that action will not be taken against organised gangs exploiting these victims of slavery or human trafficking. Such an approach therefore runs counter to the UK’s obligations under ECAT and Article 4 ECHR, as well as leaving gaps in enforcing action against traffickers. We are concerned that such an approach will leave a loophole for those responsible for exploiting people in slavery and human trafficking to evade investigation and prosecution, by targeting those with a criminal past.