Minister urges people to be alert to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Date published: 18 October 2025

The Minister explained: 

Victims are among some of the most vulnerable and traumatised in the Criminal Justice system. They may not be recognised as victims and they may not recognise themselves as victims.

It is difficult to quantify the true scale of this extremely lucrative criminal activity within Northern Ireland. This issue requires a societal wide effort if we are to raise awareness and successfully tackle this heinous crime and collaborative working is a key element of this.

Signs to look out for include:

• People who have been trafficked or enslaved may have restricted freedom of movement, have no documents or ID, avoid interactions with other people, and appear to have relationships which seem abnormal.
• They may show signs of physical or psychological abuse, including untreated injuries, anxiety, malnourishment, or unsuitable clothing and equipment for their type of work.
• Their living arrangements can appear unusual, including living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation, or living at the same address as their work.
• They may have unusual travel arrangements, including being picked up by private cars in the early morning and left off late at night, alone or in a group.
• Children who have been trafficked or enslaved may have no access to their parents or guardians. They may look frightened and behave in a way that is not normal for children of their age. They may have relationships that don’t seem right.
• People who have been trafficked or enslaved may often have a fear of authority figures. They may avoid eye contact or conversations, and show reluctance to present as a victim.

If you have concerns or see something suspicious you can help by reporting what you have witnessed. You can contact the PSNI non-emergency line – 101 or report any concerns you have to the Modern Slavery Helpline - 08000 121 700.

The Minister added:

I want to take this opportunity to thank those in our community who play a vital role in supporting victims and raising awareness of this heinous crime.  My Department, along with you in the community, are united in our commitment to eradicate Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and I thank you all for your commitment towards that shared goal.