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Home Office: 13,000 could be working as slaves in the UK

New analysis from the Home Office on the scale of human trafficking in the UK suggests as many as 13,000 people may be living in a state of slavery.

The most commonly reported form of modern slavery in the UK is sexual exploitation, with women making up the vast majority of victims.

The government has just appointed the UK's first-slavery commissioner has vowed to tackle police failings in uncovering and rescuing people from trafficking, and work to support victims.

Today's strategy is part of the government's Modern Slavery Bill, expected to become law in 2015.

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Sexual exploitation 'most commonly reported form of slavery'

The most commonly reported form of modern slavery in the UK is sexual exploitation, with women making up the vast majority of victims, according to new Government figures.

The Modern Slavery Strategy, published by the Home Office today, says victims are "often forced into prostitution, escort work or pornography".

In total, 42% of cases referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) - set up to help potential victims of slavery - involve sexual exploitation.

Those whom the NRM helps are only "potential victims" whose status as victims may or may not be confirmed.

Among those who were referred to the NRM, 95% of were female and 20% were children.

Read: As many as 13,000 could be working as slaves in the UK

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Home Office: 13,000 could be working as slaves in the UK

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