Modern slavery and human trafficking report released

The Salvation Army has released its International Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response Impact Report 2025, which captures the work of the movement amid an urgent human rights crisis.

Modern slavery is an umbrella term to describe the exploitation of people’s bodies and labour. It includes trafficking of persons, debt bondage, forced labour, forced marriage, deceptive recruitment, organ trafficking, servitude, sexual servitude and slavery.

Tactics used by human traffickers include religious manipulation, emotional or mental abuse, document confiscation and love-bombing.

Thanks to the dedication of local and international officers, soldiers, victim-survivors, employees, volunteers and friends, The Salvation Army drives community-led efforts to respond to the issue of modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) in 134 countries.

This year’s report is titled Move of Hope, as it showcases stories of transformation and resilience, underpinning the inspiring message that change is possible and lives can be rebuilt. It demonstrates the work of The Salvation Army’s MSHTR global team, a group of highly passionate and dedicated people who desire to make a difference to the lives of others in the world. 

A total of 139,587 people vulnerable to MSHT received support from The Salvation Army in 2025, and 25,161 MSHT survivors were supported, with 1450 supported to receive legal services.

“Every time a survivor steps towards safety, every time a child is protected, every time a community becomes more resilient – hope moves again,” the International Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response Council wrote in the report.

Annette, a sex trafficking survivor from the United States reported that The Salvation Army helped her believe in herself again.

“My children have their mother back,” she said.

This report is taken from The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters webpage. To read the full report and the original article, click here.