Anti-slavery helpline has busiest year ever as sex trafficking and forced labour reports hit record high

More than 6,500 potential victims of modern slavery victims were identified in 2022

In 2022, 7,315 calls were made to the phone line, which is operated by charity Unseen (PA/ The Indepedent)

Calls to the anti-slavery helpline are at a record high as reports of forced labour, domestic servitude and sex trafficking soar.

More than 6,500 potential victims of modern slavery were identified last year – a 116 per cent increase compared to 2021. In 2022, 7,315 calls were made to the phone line, operated by the charity Unseen, from victims, local government officials, NHS workers, businesses and others. This was up by 16 per cent on the year before.

Experts said the rise could be driven by worsening poverty and conflict around the world pushing vulnerable people into slavery. They also said many survivors had problems accessing the government’s support scheme.