Impact of Modern Slavery on Victims and Survivors
Kirsty Rogers
Chief Sustainability Officer for DWF
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires confronting the systems that enable exploitation, inequality, and violence. Modern slavery sits at the intersection of several global goals—SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions)—making it one of the most urgent human rights challenges of our time.
The UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons has just published a report “Anticipating Exploitation: A Futures- Based Analysis” which warns modern slavery levels are at record highs and likely to worsen over the next decade which is exceptionally concerning.
The Justice for All series, supported by DWF, brings these issues into sharp focus. The latest event focussed on Victims and Survivors and featured a compelling address from Sir Edward Bramham, whose speech called for renewed global action, stronger prevention systems, and a justice framework that victims can trust. This action would also support delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Modern Slavery is a Gendered Crime which disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly in the form of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced marriage, and coercive labour. Sir Edward Bramham described modern slavery as “the exploitation of labour, freedom, and vulnerability,” and vulnerability is deeply gendered. Women and girls face higher exposure to trafficking and sexual exploitation, structural inequalities that limit economic independence and face increased risk during conflict, displacement, and economic instability.
SDG 5 cannot be achieved without dismantling the gendered systems that allow exploitation to flourish.
And that is not the only goal that Modern Slavery impacts. SDG 8 calls for productive employment and decent work for all, yet modern slavery persists across global and local economies—from agriculture and construction to care homes, hospitality, and manufacturing. This has to be addressed.
Sir Edward was clear: transparency alone is not enough. Reporting requirements raise awareness but rarely change behaviour. They need to be more focussed and actionable and should include:
- A legal duty on companies to identify and prevent forced labour
- Mandatory human rights due diligence
- A defence based on taking reasonable preventive steps
This reframes modern slavery as a business risk requiring proactive governance, not a reputational issue managed through statements.
It is also clear that modern slavery thrives where inequality is entrenched. Sir Edward emphasised that vulnerability—driven by poverty, migration status, conflict, discrimination, and weak protections—is the primary predictor of exploitation. SDG 10 which is designed to reduce inequalities is central to prevention because inequality increases susceptibility to coercion, marginalised groups face barriers to justice, migrant workers often lack safe reporting pathways and economic shocks and climate change heighten risk
The Global Commission on Modern Slavery, is focused on addressing these systemic inequalities by strengthening protections and elevating prevention globally. Closing the justice gap is therefore imperative in addressing the increasing prevalence and systemic issues caused by the rise of and failure to deal with modern slavery. SDG 16 calls for strong institutions, access to justice, and the rule of law. Yet, as the event highlighted, the UK faces a significant justice gap:
- Victims are often too traumatised or fearful to engage
- Evidence is fragile and prosecutions are complex
- Enforcement is inconsistent and under-resourced
It is clear that modern slavery must be treated as organised crime, with law enforcement using financial and conspiracy evidence rather than relying on traumatised witnesses.
The anti-slavery framework has to be one where victims trust it enough to use it.
Sir Edward outlined three interventions with the potential to be “game-changing”:
- Changing the narrative
Finding exploitation should be seen as a sign of integrity, not failure.
- Sharing intelligence
Anti-trafficking intelligence should be shared like cybercrime or money laundering data.
- Treating trafficking as organised crime
Targeting networks through financial evidence will increase conviction rates and reduce reliance on victim testimony.
These interventions align directly with SDG 16’s call for stronger institutions and effective justice systems and there is evidence of some promising interventions including :
- Bahrain’s Expatriate Protection Centre and visa reforms show how fast, trusted systems improve victim safety and reporting.
- The UK Fair Work Agency just in force and if fully empowered, could uncover hidden exploitation through statutory inspection powers.
- Education and awareness programmes increase reporting and political momentum by making modern slavery visible and discussable.
These examples demonstrate that system design—not rhetoric—is what protects victims.DWF are pleased to support the Justice for All series as part of their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals . The series brings cross-sector collaboration between legal, corporate, academic, and community partners; public awareness of gendered exploitation and systemic vulnerabilities, provides advocacy for stronger protections for victims and survivors and seeks corporate accountability through improved due diligence and ethical governance
Across SDGs 5, 8, 10, and 16, the message is consistent. Equality reduces vulnerability, Decent work prevents exploitation, Reduced inequalities strengthen resilience and Strong institutions deliver justice.The Justice for All series can be a platform to build momentum, strengthen protections, and move closer to a world where every person lives free from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.
