Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Part 2: Trafficking and Exploitation

24. The Act amends the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 to:

(1)

Change from annual to three-yearly reporting in relation to the Modern Slavery Strategy;

(2)

Extend statutory assistance and support to adult potential victims of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour where there is no element of trafficking;

(3)

Provide for the support to adult potential victims of slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour beyond the 45 days specified in the 2015 Act for as long as may be needed;

(4)

Extend the support provided to a person who has received a conclusive determination of being a victim of trafficking for a period of up to 12 months, or more than 12 months for such period as the Department may determine;

(5)

Include Class A drugs in Section 22 (9) of the 2015 Act for a statutory defence for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and

(6)

Insert a new provision in the 2015 Act to enable the Department to introduce steps or measures to protect a person from slavery or trafficking. These steps or measures are to be introduced within 24 months of Royal Assent and are to be introduced by means of regulations laid before and approved by the Assembly.