Eleanor Lyons, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said survivors are having to wait far too long to receive the support they deserve and the recognition that they are victims of modern slavery.
“Providing more caseworkers to speed up decision-making is a welcome step in the right direction,” she said.
“But more must be done to make sure victims of modern slavery are protected and that the perpetrators of this crime are prosecuted,” she added.
“That’s why a government strategy is needed to make tackling modern slavery a priority and policy should be informed through listening to survivor voices and experiences,” she said.
Ms Lyons suspects there around 120,000 more people currently being exploited “in every community across the country”.
The number of referrals of suspected victims to police forces in England and Wales has increased by nearly 70% in the last five years.
