Modern slavery and human trafficking are horrors that no one should endure, yet thousands of individuals in the UK are trapped in a cycle of exploitation. For those fortunate enough to escape, their journey to recovery has often been hampered by a flawed support system.
In a recent letter to government ministers, a coalition of experts and anti-slavery organisations, including Unseen, has called for significant changes to the policy on granting temporary permission to stay, known as VTS leave, to better support modern slavery survivors. This appeal follows judicial review challenges and highlights the need for a more compassionate and effective approach to support those who have been exploited.
Why reform is urgently needed
The current policy for granting VTS leave is restrictive in nature, which has left many survivors in a state of uncertainty and at risk of further exploitation. In 2023, more than 17,000 referrals of potential victims were made to the National Referral Mechanism, the government framework for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery. That same year however, only 113 recognised adult victims of trafficking were granted temporary permission to stay.
What is VTS Leave?
VTS leave, or temporary permission to stay, is a critical measure that allows survivors of modern slavery to remain in the UK while they recover from their exploitation. This permission is essential for accessing necessary medical treatment, psychological support, and other vital services that help survivors rebuild their lives.
Steps towards a compassionate system
In a recent letter co-signed by the anti-slavery organisations and experts, the essential changes required for a better VTS leave policy to support survivors of modern slavery were outlined. Below is a summary of what this partnership is calling for.
1. A focus on the survivor’s personal situation
The new policy should align with the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT), which states that survivors should be granted residency when their stay is necessary due to their personal situation. This broader, more humane approach would ensure that survivors receive support based on their specific needs, not just for recovery from physical or psychological harm.
2. Protection for child survivors
The best interests of child survivors must be the primary consideration, with policies reflecting the need for long-term stability and support. This includes granting VTS leave for a minimum of five years, with a pathway to indefinite leave to remain.
3. Holistic consideration of recovery needs
Decisions on VTS leave should consider the full range of a survivor’s recovery needs, including the specific types of treatment required, the length and nature of treatment, and any barriers to accessing care. Home Office caseworkers should request additional evidence if needed, rather than automatically refusing claims due to lack of documentation.
4. Addressing the gap between conclusive grounds and VTS decisions
Survivors often face long delays between being officially recognised as victims of modern slavery (a conclusive grounds decision) and receiving VTS leave. This limbo prevents them from accessing essential support and prolongs their distress. To avoid this, VTS leave decisions should be made simultaneously with conclusive grounds decisions, allowing survivors to move forward in their recovery sooner.
5. Meaningful and long-term support
Even when VTS leave is granted, it’s often for such short periods that it provides little real benefit. For survivors to rebuild their lives, they need longer-term support. Organisations like the Helen Bamber Foundation and the British Red Cross recommend granting leave for at least 30 months.
Kali Rad, Head of Frontline Services at Unseen, welcomed the government’s commitment to reviewing the approach to VTS leave.
“Beyond individual recovery, these reforms would help dismantle the traffickers’ business model which often preys on stateless potential victims. When survivors feel safe coming forward, knowing they will be supported and protected, traffickers lose one of their most powerful tools – fear. Offering meaningful, long-term protection also helps prevent survivors from falling back into the hands of their exploiters, ensuring that traffickers are held accountable and vulnerable individuals are safeguarded.
“Now is the time for the UK to show leadership and compassion. Survivors of modern slavery have been failed for too long. It’s time to put in place a system that offers them the protection, support, and dignity they deserve.”
what you can do
Together, we have the power to make a real difference in the lives of modern slavery survivors. Your support is crucial in helping us advocate for more humane policies and provide the essential services that survivors need to rebuild their lives.
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