Draft Modern Slavery Strategy 2021/22

Overview

1. The Department of Justice is seeking views from stakeholders across a wide range of sectors on a new modern slavery strategy that seeks to build on the progress that has been made under previous strategies.
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3. The draft strategy is a multiagency collaboration, owned and delivered by members of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Task Force and the agencies working to address modern slavery and human trafficking.  Key partners involved in delivering the strategic modern slavery and human trafficking objectives include organisations such as the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Public Prosecution Service, Policing and Community Safety Partnerships, the Department of Health, the Health & Social Care Board, Health & Social Care Trusts, the Department for the Economy, the Department for Communities, the Home Office, National Crime Agency,  Probation Service, An Garda Síochána, and the Gangmasters’ Labour Abuse Authority. 
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Why we are consulting

• We welcome views on the Modern Slavery Strategy for 2021/22 from key partners as well as from the Office of the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, the UK Government, local councils in Northern Ireland, businesses and private sector organisations, faith groups, organisations within the voluntary and community sector, and members of the public.
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• Modern slavery cuts across all sectors of society and can affect all of us.  We are therefore keen to hear views and comments from individuals and organisations across all sectors to ensure that the resulting strategy is as informed, comprehensive and effective as possible in helping to equip Northern Ireland to eradicate modern slavery.

What happens next

The consultation closes on 7th January 2021.  Any comments or suggestions received by that date will be fully considered by the Department and a summary published, with any further appropriate revisions then made to the strategy before final publication, subject to approvals.

The Department intends to publish a summary of responses on its website.  Any contact details or information that would identify a respondent as a private individual will be removed prior to publication.  All information will be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA).

Respondents should also be aware that the Department’s obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) may require that any responses not subject to specific exemptions under the Act be communicated to third parties on request.