London, Feb 26, (IRNA) Contemporary slavery exists in various forms in the UK, particularly as a result of people trafficking, according to a new report published Monday.

The report, commissioned by the British charity, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), showed how modern forms of slavery occur in the UK as the country prepares to mark the 200th anniversary of legislation abolishing the slave trade.

It estimated that there were tens of thousands of victims, who share elements of the exploitative relationship which have historically constituted slavery.

These included severe economic exploitation; the lack of a human rights framework; and one person's control over another through the prospect or reality of violence.

Parts of the British economy depended on slave labour, in the same way that 18th century industries like sugar profited from the "triangular trade" between west Africa, the Caribbean and western Europe, the report said.

Particularly vulnerable were immigrants trafficked by agents into forced labour in such areas as agriculture, construction, domestic work, food processing, care and nursing and the restaurant trade, as well as into sexual exploitation.

"Current protection and support services for trafficked men, women and children are inadequate and there is no specific assistance available to those who are trafficked," said Professor Gary Craig from Hull University, a co-author of the report.

The findings are the first comprehensive review of evidence about the extent of slavery in the UK, where conditions of forced labour contravene the United Nations' 10-point definition.

A large percentage was also found to meet the three definitions of modern slavery: extreme economic exploitation, absence of human rights and actual or threatened violence.

The report recommended national action complemented by international law and collaborative cooperation, with policy and service responses that regard those in slavery as victims first and foremost, rather than as criminals.