Risk has no country: The importance of identifying and supporting survivors of trafficking exploited outside of the UK
A new report from the Helen Bamber Foundation (HBF) looks at the experience of survivors of human trafficking who have been exploited outside of the UK, and argues that, regardless of where their exploitation occurred. all survivors must have equal access to identification, support and protection under the UK's National Referral Mechanism (NRM).
The report, ‘Risk has no country’, comes at a critical moment, as the government considers reforms to the NRM that could create a two-tier system, treating survivors exploited abroad differently from those exploited within the UK. HBF warns that such a division could leave thousands of survivors at risk of being re-trafficked or exploited again.
In 2025, of the non-British national survivors confirmed to be a victims of trafficking (11,009 people), 59% were exploited overseas, often enduring extreme abuse in their countries or origin and along dangerous journeys before reaching the UK. 22% were exploited both overseas and in the UK. More than four in five survivors supported by HBF in 2025 were exploited abroad.
Drawing on extensive casework evidence and survivor testimony, the report shows that exploitation frequently occurs across multiple countries, including Libya, Sudan, Albania and Vietnam, with survivors facing forced labour, sexual violence, detention, extortion and severe psychological harm. These experiences do not end at the UK border; trauma, insecurity and lack of support significantly increase the risk of re-exploitation once survivors arrive in the UK.
Despite this, the government recently suggested creating separate systems of identification and support for survivors trafficked outside the UK, framing such cases as historic or less relevant to the UK’s protection framework. But separating support for survivors based on where exploitation occurred is arbitrary, potentially harmful and incompatible with the UK’s legal obligations under international human rights law.
“Trafficking is trafficking. Every survivor’s life has been put at risk,” said Hana, a survivor supported by HBF. “Changing the system to create lower standards for people exploited outside the UK would ruin lives.”
The report highlights the critical role of the NRM in enabling access to safe accommodation, trauma-informed support, legal advice and, in some cases, secure immigration status. Survivors interviewed for the report describe the NRM as a lifeline. It is often the first time they felt believed, protected and able to begin recovery.
“Being recognised made me feel that I had value as a human being,” said Kaleb, another survivor. “It helped me feel less alone and more safe.”
Kamena Dorling, Director of Policy, Helen Bamber Foundation, said:
“The survivors we work with have endured unimaginable abuse – including forced labour and sexual violence. Their need for support and protection is no less urgent because their exploitation happened elsewhere.
In recent years, the government has too often portrayed protections for survivors of trafficking as an obstacle to immigration enforcement rather than a vital system for supporting victims of crime. This has resulted in legal and policy changes that make accessing support increasingly difficult. Thousands of survivors already choose not to enter the NRM because they fear removal from the UK, and even when they do, many are denied the stability they need to recover and rebuild their lives. Any genuine commitment to tackling trafficking must include protection for those exploited abroad. Ignoring the lasting impact of trafficking risks allowing harm to continue.”
HBF is calling on the government to maintain equal standards of protection for all trafficking survivors; to actively monitor and reduce the risk of re-exploitation; and to introduce practical improvements to survivor support including better vulnerability screening, trauma-informed decision-making, long-term safe accommodation, and automatic leave to remain for five years for all recognised survivors.