British Home Office: As many as 13,000 modern slaves working in country

British Home Office: As many as 13,000 modern slaves working in country
(Image credit: iStock)

Britain's Home Office released its first official estimates on the number of modern slaves trapped in the country, and the numbers may be as high as 13,000 people. That estimate includes "women forced into prostitution, 'imprisoned' domestic staff and workers in fields, factories, and fishing boats," BBC News reports.

The Home Office said the victims are trafficked in from more than 100 countries, but that an especially high number are brought from Albania, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Romania. A bill that would allow English and Welsh courts to protect trafficking victims is currently making its way through Parliament.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.