Modern Slavery

What is Modern Slavery?

Modern slavery is a serious crime that exists in many forms in the UK, including:

Human Trafficking: The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons by means of threat, use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
Forced Labour: Any work or service exacted from a person under the menace of any penalty and for which the person has not offered themselves voluntarily.
Servitude: The obligation to provide services imposed by the use of coercion. This is considered an aggravated form of forced labour where the victim feels their situation is permanent and unlikely to change.
Slavery: The status or condition of a person over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised. This involves treating a person as a commodity.

How Modern Slavery Affects People

Victims of modern slavery experience severe exploitation and abuse, including:

Physical and Psychological Harm: Violence, threats, intimidation, and coercion are common tactics used by traffickers and exploiters.
Financial Exploitation: Victims are often unpaid or paid very little, with their earnings controlled or withheld. They may be forced into debt bondage.
Restricted Freedom: Victims' movement and communication are often severely controlled. Their identity documents may be confiscated.
Poor Living and Working Conditions: Victims may be forced to live in cramped, unsanitary conditions and work long hours in dangerous environments.
Social Isolation: Victims are often isolated from their families and support networks.

Statistics in the UK

High Number of Potential Victims: In 2024, 19,125 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Home Office, the highest number since records began.
Increase in Referrals: This represents a 13% increase compared to the previous year (16,990 in 2023).
Child Victims: In 2024, 31% (5,999) of referrals were for children.
UK Nationals Affected: A significant number of potential victims are British nationals; in 2024, they accounted for 23% of referrals.
Forms of Exploitation: Labour exploitation is the most common form of modern slavery in the UK, followed by criminal exploitation (often involving drug trafficking, especially children in 'county lines'). Sexual exploitation and domestic servitude are also significant concerns.
Prevalence Estimates: The Global Slavery Index 2023 estimates that around 122,000 people are living in modern slavery in the UK. However, the true scale is likely much higher as many cases go unreported.

How to Minimise Modern Slavery

Preventing modern slavery requires a multi-faceted approach:

Increased Awareness: Educating the public, businesses, and frontline workers to recognise the signs of modern slavery.
Strengthening Legislation and Enforcement: Ensuring robust laws are in place and effectively enforced to prosecute traffickers and protect victims. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is the primary legislation in the UK.
Supply Chain Transparency: Businesses need to ensure their supply chains are free from forced labour.
Victim Support: Providing comprehensive support and protection for victims, including accommodation, counselling, legal aid, and repatriation assistance where appropriate.
Partnership Working: Collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement, NGOs, businesses, and communities is crucial.
Addressing Root Causes: Tackling poverty, inequality, and conflict, which can make individuals vulnerable to exploitation.

How to Report Modern Slavery

If you suspect someone is a victim of modern slavery, it's crucial to report it. Do not confront suspected perpetrators or attempt to intervene directly, as this could put the victim and yourself at risk.

You can report your concerns to:

The Modern Slavery Helpline: Call 08000 121 700 (available 24/7).
The Police: Call 101 for non-emergencies. In an emergency, call 999.
Crimestoppers: Call 0800 555 111 to report anonymously.
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA): Report concerns about the mistreatment of workers on 0800 432 0804.

When reporting, provide as much detail as possible, such as:

The location where you suspect exploitation is taking place.
Descriptions of the individuals involved (victims and suspected exploiters).
Details about the work or living conditions.
Any signs of control or coercion.
Vehicle registration numbers if applicable.

How to Deal with Modern Slavery in the UK:

The UK has a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for identifying and supporting potential victims of modern slavery. First responders (e.g., police, local authorities, certain charities) can refer potential victims into the NRM, which allows them to access support services while their case is being assessed.

The government assesses each NRM case to determine if the person is a victim of modern slavery. If a positive decision is made, the individual can receive ongoing support.

The legal framework in the UK aims to prosecute perpetrators of modern slavery with serious penalties, including imprisonment. The focus is also on preventing the crime, protecting victims, and pursuing offenders through dedicated police units and collaborative efforts.