By mid-January, sexual exploitation of women has already hit the headlines, reminding us that the fight against exploitation is as urgent as ever. At Sophie Hayes Foundation, we are continuing to stand alongside survivors to ensure that their voices, experiences, and needs are shaping the policies and practices that impact their lives.
As we head into the year, there are some key policy developments that could have a profound effect on the landscape of modern slavery and human trafficking. Here's a quick rundown of what we're watching closely—and how we anticipate these changes might impact our work and the people we support:
1. Local Government Reforms and Their Impact on Services:
The UK Government’s “devolution by default” initiative seeks to give more power to local authorities, granting them greater autonomy over services. This could be a pivotal change in terms of support for survivors. The shift should ensure local authorities can create more personalised survivor support services and more targeted prevention strategies. It is so important to empower and equip those closest to the communities to make decisions that could directly improve the lives of survivors – we are hopeful this will lead to more effective interventions across the country.
2. The New Minister for Safeguarding: Jess Phillips
The appointment of Jess Phillips as Minister for Safeguarding is one we are watching with great interest. Jess Phillips has made a bold pledge to clear the backlog of modern slavery cases within two years. This backlog has left many survivors waiting for years to hear decisions on their claims, often putting them in precarious, uncertain situations. Her commitment to recruit additional staff and streamline case processing is a step in the right direction. We’re optimistic that these changes will help speed up cases, reducing delays. However, we’ll be keeping a close eye to ensure that the changes don’t inadvertently push survivors into further instability.
3. Implementation of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s (IASC) Strategic Plan 2024-2026
The IASC's Strategic Plan focuses on three core pillars: Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution. It emphasizes preventing modern slavery and revictimisation, improving victim identification and support, and enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in prosecuting offenders. We are delighted to see that the plan emphasises the involvement of survivors in the decision-making process. Survivor voices have long been underrepresented in the design of policy and interventions, so seeing this change come to the forefront is incredibly promising. We’re eager to support this shift and help ensure that survivor-led insights are shaping the work we do together.
4. Re-tendering of the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC)
The MSVCC contract is set to expire in 2025, and this is a key moment for the sector. The contract has provided vital support for victims of modern slavery and trafficking across England and Wales. The Home Office is exploring the possibility of re-procuring or extending the contract, and we at the Sophie Hayes Foundation are pushing for one thing above all: survivor-centred care. The next iteration of this contract needs to place survivor voices at the heart of service delivery—ensuring that support systems are effective, compassionate, and meet the evolving needs of those who’ve experienced trafficking and exploitation.
5. Update to the Slavery and Trafficking Survivor Care Standards
The Slavery and Trafficking Survivor Care Standards are undergoing a comprehensive update, with a new version set to be published in October 2025. The update aims to ensure that every adult survivor across the UK receives consistent, high-quality care that truly meets their needs. As the landscape of survivor support evolves, these standards need to reflect the latest best practices and survivor feedback. We’re proud to be part of the Human Trafficking Foundation’s Work, Skills, and Education Working Group to contribute to the update of these standards.
At Sophie Hayes Foundation, we are actively engaged in these policy changes, working alongside survivors to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. The year ahead is full of opportunities to make real, tangible progress in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking.
Stay connected with us throughout the year for updates – follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky to keep up to date and get involved!
Comments