Naomi Long

Dame Sara Thornton, the UK’s independent anti-slavery commissioner, has urged Justice Minister Naomi Long to introduce slavery and trafficking risk orders (STROs) in Northern Ireland.

The orders, created under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, are available to courts in England and Wales and in Scotland, but the corresponding legislation in Northern Ireland does not provide for them.

In her inaugural annual report, Dame Sara said: “I urged the minister for justice when I met her in February 2020 to reconsider their value as evidence of effective use in England and Wales and Scotland emerges.”

Welcoming the report today, Ms Long said: “While I am aware of some concerns expressed during the consultation on the modern slavery legislation in relation to these orders, as evidence emerges of their use in England, Wales and Scotland, I want to consider this again and have asked officials to begin scoping work in this regard.”

She added: “I had the opportunity to meet with Dame Sara shortly after I took up the position of Justice Minister and I was very impressed by the commitment she has shown to the role, including ensuring that the work in Northern Ireland to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking is recognised for its contribution to the wider UK effort.

“I welcome the fact that Dame Sara has acknowledged in her report the good practice she observed in Northern Ireland. There is extensive work being taken forward here by statutory and non-statutory partners to raise awareness of modern slavery offences, to support those affected and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”