SPC expert reports prevent victims being prosecuted
Over the past month, four separate victims of modern slavery I prepared expert reports for, who were prosecuted for crimes committed whilst a victim, had their cases discontinued by the Crown, or found Not Guilty at trial.
On a weekly basis, at Specialist Policing Consultancy Ltd, we’re getting requests to provide expert witness reports for victims of modern slavery who have been charged with crimes connected to their exploitation. This is often teenage boys and vulnerable young men involved in County Lines drug dealing – but not always. There are, it seems, an increasing number of vulnerable Albanian men who are being recruited through debt bondage and the false promises of work, who end up working in cannabis factories.
In virtually all the cases I examine I see similarities – similarities regarding victim vulnerabilities and similar methodologies used by the traffickers. But I also see similarities in police investigations – or rather the lack of investigation!
If an individual says they were made to do something, like sell drugs or tend cannabis plants, then that is an allegation of modern slavery – an offence that carries a maximum sentence in the UK of life imprisonment.
It is just not good enough to simply ask the potential victim if they were ‘forced’ or if they will give a statement. Firstly, there are many ways a person can be recruited into modern slavery – deception, false promises, lies – force is actually quite rare as a recruitment method. Secondly, since when is an allegation of crime only an allegation if the victim will give a statement? It needs to be thoroughly investigated, with evidence and corroboration gathered from various sources, not just from a victims statement. For a start, how about interviewing them as a potential victim!
The problem is, by not conducting a thorough and professional investigation into allegations of modern slavery, victims get prosecuted and the traffickers, drug dealers and organised criminals get away with it – free to exploit more vulnerable children and adults!
