COVID-19’s Impact on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Among Migrant Women: Examining Northern Ireland and Scotland

Abstract

Modern slavery persists in Northern Ireland and Scotland in the 21st century, where trafficked women remain highly vulnerable to exploitation due to systemic vulnerabilities in labour protections, legal frameworks, and immigration policies. Despite the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 across the UK, significant gaps remain in awareness and support for trafficked women. This study examines the systemic factors contributing to their exploitation, focusing on the shortcomings of UK legal frameworks in Northern Ireland and Scotland during COVID-19, weak enforcement mechanisms, and the impact of economic and political changes. Drawing on government and policy reports, NGO publications, and academic literature, the research assesses how these vulnerabilities enabled trafficking networks to operate with impunity from 2019 to 2021.