.Modern slavery. – including human trafficking – is the exploitation of people through coercion, deception or force for labour, services or commercial sex.
It targets vulnerable individuals and often goes unnoticed, making it a hidden yet pervasive crime.
.Homelessness. can be both a driver and outcome of modern slavery. Often those experiencing homelessness are targeted by perpetrators, and those who have fled from their traffickers are often left destitute; with nowhere to go.
To learn more about this important topic, read our helpful guide.
Recent research and reports
New report: Preventing Homelessness and Re-exploitation by Dr Júlia Tomás
Monday 10th August 2026
Navigating Homelessness: Housing Challenges faced by Survivors of Modern Slavery
Tuesday 20th January 2026
Enhancing Modern Slavery Prevention within the Homelessness Sector in the UK
Monday 23rd June 2025
The intersection between homelessness
and human trafficking NY City
Monday 27th January 2025
The Passage’s Modern Slavery Support Service
We are the first organisation to have uncovered the links between modern slavery and homelessness in the UK. Our Modern Slavery Support Service is unique, working in partnership with Westminster City Council and many other partners.
We provide survivors of this crime with:
- a personalised support plan
- specialist one-to-one key worker support, addressing their primary needs
- signposting to First Responders
- support with National Referral Mechanism (NRM) referrals
- emergency accommodation, depending on availability and suitability
- access to health and mental wellbeing support
- welfare and benefits
- signposting to legal aid.
Our Modern Slavery Service features a Modern Slavery Navigator – a support worker with extensive expertise in modern slavery, human trafficking, and homelessness. This Navigator assists potential victims and survivors through the support systems available to them.
“From the very first meeting we had, [the Modern Slavery Navigator] made me feel safe, loved and supported. I don’t think [the Navigator] just helped me in finding a place to stay. More importantly, she helped me to connect to life again and gain hope.”
Leading the change
Our goal is to create a better support network for survivors of modern slavery across the globe.
By sharing our knowledge and findings with others in the sector, we are able to inform and better equip them, helping them to create their own support service.
The Passage Modern Slavery Toolkit
This toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to assist organisations in identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation, particularly within the context of homelessness.
Attend our Modern Slavery Training
This training aims to enhance delegates’ knowledge and skills regarding modern slavery and human trafficking, the connections between modern slavery and homelessness, frontline support and pathways for survivors.
Read our research on the intersectionality between homelessness and modern slavery
Addressing human trafficking internationally
We have launched a series of reports that identify the link between homelessness and human trafficking in various international cities, detailing the findings and recommendations of mapping work we have carried out. Our evidence clearly shows that this is an issue on a global scale and therefore requires a global response and we hope that these reports will act as a catalyst for change.
Addressing human trafficking and homelessness in New York City
Monday 27th January 2025
Addressing human trafficking and homelessness in Dublin
Monday 22nd April 2024
Real-life stories from survivors
The Passage was the first organisation in the homelessness sector to employ a dedicated Anti-Slavery Team. We offer holistic care to survivors of modern slavery who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to ensure they receive the support they need and deserve.
In the last few years*, we have helped over 140 survivors of this crime – and we thank those who have chosen to share their story with the world. By bravely doing so, they continue to raise awareness of this very important topic.
Rose’s story
Peter’s story
Sylvia’s story
Our impact
In the first five years of our service, we supported over 200 potential victims and survivors of modern slavery.
More recently, in the year 2024 – 2025, we supported 46 survivors, 78% of whom were street homelessness at the time of referral to us. The forms of exploitation experienced by those we supported, included labour and sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and historic child slavery.
The Passage’s research and findings
Protecting others from future exploitation
We understand the importance of prevention. For those who are currently, or have previously experienced homelessness the risk of exploitation can be higher.
Working together, we can raise awareness of the risks and signs to look out for, to reduce the chances of people being victimised in the first place.
Read our guide to ‘Staying safe and knowing your work rights’
Reading this booklet will help you to understand your rights when working in the UK, and learn the risks of becoming a victim of modern slavery. Knowing what you’re entitled to, will help you recognize if you’re at risk of being exploited.
Read our latest report, in partnership with the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner
This report draws on collaboration across all four UK nations and places the voices of people with lived experience of both homelessness and modern slavery at its core – offering urgent insights into how we can prevent modern slavery.
I would like to help someone who is experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
*April 2021 – March 2024. Combined total number of survivors supported, as stated in our recent reports.