This article offers an original contribution to the field of victimization studies by investigating the current context of, and responses to, British nationals who are victims of modern slavery in the UK (BVs). Through the examination of National Referral Mechanism and Duty to Notify statistics, a current picture of specific experiences of BVs in the UK is illustrated with reference to identification and access to support. An exploration of the reasons for non-engagement of BVs with services and the detrimental impact this may have on their recovery highlights pertinent issues of mistrust, stigma and shame. Compounded by the current criminal justice approach towards modern slavery, the effects on the well-being of victims and survivors document the barriers to accessing services. A lack of engagement with the complexity of modern slavery; a lack of knowledge, training and expertise; and a lack of comprehensive guidance result in poor outcomes for BVs. Overall, the findings of this article are important in recognizing that the needs of BVs are currently not adequately met. A comprehensive investigation is required to examine the specific needs and experiences of BVs so that responses can be improved to effectively and appropriately support them into long-term and meaningful recovery.

This chapter summarises how understandings of conflict relating to modern slavery in existing literature focus almost exclusively on conflict in the sense of war. The literature identifies victims predominantly as child soldiers, and perpetrators as peacekeepers. This chapter provides an overview of the experiences of child soldiers including methods of recruitment and ongoing vulnerabilities after demobilisation. It discusses peacekeeping missions and how they increase rates in trafficking of girls and women to respond to peacekeeping troops paying for sex, despite being forbidden from doing so. It then considers the vulnerabilities that face people in post-conflict societies as they grapple with political and economic transition, corruption, and displacement. The chapter concludes by considering literature that addresses examples of non-violent conflict and how they may correspond with experiences of modern slavery.

This chapter considers how individuals’ agency can lead them towards situations of modern slavery. It debates the usefulness of victim terminology and the impact its use has on generating unrealistic depictions of those who suffer modern slavery, which therefore risks encouraging misunderstandings among the public, practitioners (such as police and social workers), and victims themselves. The chapter challenges the notion that victimhood and agency are mutually exclusive, and demonstrates the prevalence of agency in the lead up to situations of modern slavery. It also considers the interplay between structure and agency in generating and perpetuating situations of modern slavery. These are all fundamental aspects in understanding who is vulnerable to becoming a victim of modern slavery, why they are at risk, and the conditions that might exacerbate the likelihood of victimisation.

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the title. It summarises how interest in modern slavery continues to grow, but that root causes continue to be under-investigated. While the focus in extant literature is often placed on the experiences of exploitation, this chapter outlines how this work turns to look instead at the vulnerabilities that cause it. Situating conflict as one of the root causes of modern slavery, it provides a brief insight into how the research for this work was undertaken, by investigating first-hand insights to draw conclusions as to the precise vulnerabilities caused by conflict. It concludes with a chapter outline, which briefly encapsulates the content of each chapter.

This chapter considers those who have fled conflict and come to the UK but who have not experienced modern slavery, reflecting on whether they remained safe because of UK government policies, or despite them. Two methods are highlighted through which the respondents who did not experience modern slavery were kept safe from it: the support of the government and statutory agencies, and the support of strangers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). While discussions of the former exemplify ways in which government structures can be successful in identifying and protecting potentially vulnerable people, discussions of the latter relate to situations in which those systems can fail and whereby the respondents remained safe only through interventions by strangers or NGOs.