Home Office Reverses Policy to Limit Assistance for Trafficking Victims

The Home Office has reversed a policy that limited support for trafficking victims with criminal records, a move met with approval by rights groups.

The previous policy, authored by former home secretary Suella Braverman, put victims at risk of further exploitation by denying them automatic consideration for assistance such as housing, counseling, and financial aid.

This policy, known as the public order disqualification (POD), was contested by three affected individuals from Vietnam, Poland, and Romania, who feared it heightened the danger of re-trafficking.

Although 252 out of 253 related decisions had denied victim support, new guidelines now mandate that the risk of re-trafficking be evaluated before denying support due to convictions.

If a real and immediate risk of re-trafficking is identified that can't be mitigated, the individual will stay eligible for help through the national referral mechanism.

Maria Thomas from Duncan Lewis Solicitors, part of the legal challenge against the Home Office, heralded this as a significant victory that ensures survivors aren't further penalized for crimes they committed under coercive circumstances.

Maya Esslemont of After Exploitation also praised the policy change, emphasizing that survivors deserve support as they recover from violence and exploitation in criminal enterprises.

The Home Office maintains that the POD is essential to prevent abuse of the support system by individuals with serious offenses. Regular policy reviews are conducted to guarantee modern slavery victims receive proper identification and support.