National Referral Mechanism (NRM)
Definition
The UK government framework for identifying victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive appropriate support. Healthcare workers are designated first responders who can refer to the NRM. Similar structures include the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act reauthorisation referral pathways and the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive national rapporteur systems.
- Jurisdiction
- United Kingdom
- Purpose
- Identify and support victims of modern slavery
- First responders
- Includes healthcare workers
- Comparable systems
- US TVPA pathways, EU national rapporteur systems
Common questions
Who can make an NRM referral?+
Only designated first responder organisations can submit a referral, a category that includes police, certain local authorities, and healthcare bodies, not the potential victim directly or any member of the public, though anyone can alert a first responder to a concern.
What happens after someone is referred into the NRM?+
A caseworker makes a reasonable grounds decision on whether the person is a potential trafficking or slavery victim, which triggers a recovery and reflection period with support, followed later by a conclusive grounds decision on their formal victim status.
Related terms
- Human Trafficking
- The recruitment, transportation, harbouring, or receipt of persons by force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. Defined in the UN...
- Labour Trafficking
- Compelled labour or services through force, fraud, or coercion. Sectors include agriculture, domestic work, construction, garment factories, and restaurant and hotel industries....
- PEARR Tool
- A structured framework for healthcare encounters with possible trafficking victims: Provide privacy, Educate about available services, Ask questions in a trauma-informed way,...
- Sex Trafficking
- Recruitment, harbouring, or obtaining a person for a commercial sex act by force, fraud, or coercion, or where the victim is a...
- Trauma Bonding
- A psychological attachment formed under conditions of intermittent reinforcement (abuse alternating with care), captivity, and dependency. Creates loyalty or protective feelings toward...