African and Caribbean perspectives on navigating modern slavery

This project will investigate systemic barriers for African and Caribbean survivors of modern slavery navigating the UK justice system. 

Why this project is important

African and Caribbean nationals accounted for 3,938 referrals – 22.6% of all modern slavery referrals – between January and September 2025. Among African countries, the highest numbers came from Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Caribbean referrals are proportionally fewer, with around half concerning Jamaican nationals.  

While African nationals predominantly experience labour exploitation, Caribbean nationals are more likely to experience criminal and sexual exploitation. These patterns are unlike those seen among victims of modern slavery coming from elsewhere in the world. 

The distinct exploitation patterns among African and Caribbean nationals warrants deeper investigation into how colonial legacies and contemporary immigration policies shape differential vulnerabilities across communities. 

What the research will involve

The research will address the following questions: 

• What practical barriers do African and Caribbean survivors of modern slavery encounter when interfacing with the UK justice system? Examining obstacles during initial identification by first responders, engagement with the National Referral Mechanism, interactions with legal representatives and courts, and access to support services. 

• How do processes of racialisation and intersectional discrimination shape African and Caribbean survivors’ experiences of the UK justice system? 

• In what ways do existing legal frameworks and institutional practices create or exacerbate barriers for African and Caribbean survivors? 

• What evidence-based reforms are needed to improve access to justice and support for African and Caribbean survivors? 

The research will involve:  

• A systematic review of 20 judicial cases involving African and Caribbean survivors to identify patterns in judicial reasoning, racialised assumptions, and procedural failures.   

• 25 two-person focus groups with 50 survivors to document lived experiences, supported by trauma-informed facilitation and thematic analysis.   

• Interviews with representatives from key organisations to triangulate survivor accounts and gather practitioner perspectives.   

How the research will make a difference 

Legal and empirical findings will be combined to produce actionable recommendations grounded in survivor experiences and institutional analysis. Findings will be shared with key stakeholders, including African and Caribbean survivors and survivor-led organisations, first responders within the NRM, legal practitioners and the judiciary, and policymakers.