The number of potential victims of modern slavery reported in the UK reached record levels last year with over 19,000 cases referred from at home and abroad in 2024, government data showed Thursday.
According to the UK Home Office, 19,125 potential victims of modern slavery -- which includes human trafficking, slavery, sexual exploitation and forced labour -- were reported through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).
Last year's figure marks a 13 percent increase from the number of referrals in 2023 through the NRM, the UK's system for identifying modern slavery victims.
The Home Office report cites "increased awareness of modern slavery and the NRM" as well as "potential increases in exploitation" as driving the rise in reports.
Potential victims can claim exploitation that has occurred either in the UK, overseas, or a combination of both.
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