London: According to allegations that a controversial new anti-human trafficking policy overburdened victims with evidence requirements, the UK government has reversed it, The Guardian reported on Sunday.

Suella Braverman, the home secretary, announced the new rule on Jan. 30, saying that in order for the government to consider victims of slavery, they must first provide immediate proof of trafficking.

Despite Dame Diana Johnson, the chair of the home affairs select committee, saying that there was a lack of evidence to support the home secretary's policy shift, Braverman claimed that the policy was intended to combat trafficking victims who were "gaming the system."

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The Guardian reported that a significant drop in the number of claims accepted has occurred since the rules went into effect. 88 percent of cases in 2022 received a determination that they were potential victims of trafficking, according to Home Office statistics. In the first quarter of 2023, the percentage was 58 percent.

Human rights and anti-trafficking organisations had issued warnings that the amendments would expose many real victims to further exploitation by causing many of their cases to be rejected.

Two potential victims of trafficking who received unfavourable decisions—despite the Home Office's conviction that the proof they provided was reliable—brought the challenge against the policy change.

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Before the case went to a full high court hearing, Braverman withdrew the new rules, according to The Guardian.

"This is an incredible win for our clients and many other survivors of trafficking who would have otherwise received negative reasonable grounds decisions as a result of the policy," said Shalini Patel of Duncan Lewis Solicitors, who represented the two victims.

The requirement that trafficking survivors present unbiased evidence was always going to be impossible and cause survivors of trafficking to fail at the first hurdle, which should have been obvious from the start. A poor choice would have a significant negative effect on a trafficking survivor.

"A negative decision leaves a trafficking victim without any support, including housing, casework support, or financial support, and would put them at serious risk of further exploitation," the statement reads.

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According to a Home Office spokesperson, modern slavery is a barbaric crime. We are dedicated to addressing it and making sure victims receive the assistance they require to start rebuilding their lives. Every year, the national referral system helps thousands of victims of modern slavery, but some people try to take advantage of the system, so we have taken measures to stop this.

"The Home Office updates statutory guidance on a regular basis, and we will soon provide additional clarification to the current guidance on claims of modern slavery. On-going litigation is not something we comment on.

Braverman stated that by July 10 she would present new regulations. She stated that until then, no adverse decisions regarding trafficking victims would be made.