Wealthy modern slavery profiteers walk free before their victims receive compensation in the U.K.

Seven years after his trial, a modern slavery survivor in the U.K. has finally won compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), the government compensation scheme for injuries caused to victims of violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales. Meanwhile, the family that targeted vulnerable persons and amassed millions of dollars in profits from the company they forced them to work for had already served their sentence and walked free.

Lawyers who work on modern slavery cases in the U.K. say this case is no exception and CICA is “not fit for the purpose” as the wait to receive compensation can be so long some survivors die waiting as reported by the BBC. 

Targeting the homeless and those with disabilities

For almost 26 years, the person the BBC calls “Victim A” was one of several people kept in a situation of modern slavery on the property of a family run driveway laying company which amassed around 4 million in profits for the family. The family targeted homeless men and those who had learning disabilities with 11 members of the family eventually being convicted during the biggest modern slavery case in British legal history. Evidence showed how Victim A and others were beaten, fed on scraps and forced to lay driveways for little or no pay for years. But after their conviction, compensation took so long that his captors were released from prison before he had even received it.

Solicitor Jamila Duncan-Bosu, from the Anti-trafficking and Exploitation Unit said Victim A was treated appallingly and pointed out that not only is the wait too long, for many survivors, it’s also too late. 

Ms. Duncan-Bosu said: 

“There are many victims of trafficking who (also) suffered equally serious treatment, who should equally be able to get awards of compensation. I’ve personally had four clients die whilst waiting for compensation from CICA.” 

And the long wait for compensation that Victim A and many other survivors go through also means they can’t fund rehabilitation for injuries inflicted by their captors while they were enslaved and begin rebuilding their lives.  

Broken system leading to broken lives 

Research done by the Anti-trafficking and Exploitation Unit found that like Victim A, nine out of 10 victims of slavery are initially refused compensation through the CICA. Lawyers for the case said the CICA was “not fit for purpose” after other victims died before they could take similar action, and many advocates are demanding reform.  

Ms. Duncan-Bosu said: 

“Compensation is paramount for victims of trafficking, for rehabilitation and to help them rebuild their lives, to stop that cycle of exploitation.” 

And the CICA is not the only government body failing victims. Another problem is Legal Aid, an organization that is supposed to provide legal aid and advice and help with legal problems. But, as experienced by many survivors in the U.K. including Victim A, Legal Aid were unable help with much needed support in applying for compensation. Ms. Duncan-Bosu points out that during the trial the perpetrators and victim of the crime had access to legal advice and assistance, victims should also have access to legal advice and assistance after the trial for their compensation claims.

A government spokesperson said: “This was an awful crime, and our thoughts remain with the affected individual and his family.” Freedom United stands with organizations and lawyers demanding instead of thoughts, the U.K. government fix the broken system and stop leaving survivors to languish for years, even dying, before they can begin to heal.