Sex trafficking victim with lung condition refused safe house accommodation during coronavirus lockdown, says lawyer

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A sex trafficking victim serious health problems was denied a place in a safe house because the accommodation could not comply with coronavirus rules on social distancing, her lawyer has said, raising concerns about vulnerable modern slavery victims being put at risk. Modern slavery victims are entitled to safe house accommodation through the National Referral Mechanism – the UK's framework for identifying victims – which is run by the Salvation Army under a Home Office contract. Campaigners have called on the Home Office to urgently establish alternative safe house accommodation for trafficking victims who need it during the coronavirus outbreak, or risk placing this vulnerable group at risk of re-exploitation. To turn someone away, with or without symptoms, with no alternative support in place, is to tell them that they do not matter.” Kate Roberts, UK and Europe manager for Anti-Slavery International, said accepting new victims into safe house accommodation at this time without additional capacity and provisions in place for people to be able to self isolate could be a “recipe for disaster”, but called on the government to “urgently” establish alternatives or risk the whole service “falling apart”.