Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Advice

Below you will find various information and support resources covering Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking for both citizens and professionals.

Please click a section below for more information

Remember that if someone is at immediate risk or in an emergency, dial 999

What is Modern Slavery?

Modern Slavery is a serious crime. It encompasses slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. Modern Slavery victims can often face more than one type of abuse and slavery, for example if they are sold to another trafficker and then forced into another form of exploitation.

A person is trafficked if they are brought to (or moved around) a country by others who threaten, frighten, hurt and force them to do work or other things they don’t want to do.

Forms of Modern Slavery

Discrimination and Exploitation

Might include working extra hours and not being paid, not receiving a salary, bullying, harassment, being treated unequally with other workers, etc.

Forced labour

Might include having no choice to work, no access to a contract, threats, abusive working and living conditions, controlling the freedom of movement, servitude, a connection to trafficking, etc.

Domestic servitude

One in ten victims work in domestic servitude. A large proportion of these are children.

Victims are forced to carry out housework and domestic chores in private households, with little or no pay. They often have very limited or no free time and minimal privacy.

Sexual exploitation

This is the most common type of abuse across all victims.

Victims are forced to perform non-consensual, or abusive, sexual acts against their will for someone else’s gain.

Whilst women and children make up the majority of victims, men can also be affected.

The victims are coerced, often under the threat of violence, or groomed by the abusers.

Criminal exploitation

Frequently, victims are controlled and maltreated then forced into crime.

Cannabis cultivation is the second most common form of criminal exploitation. A large proportion of victims are children from Vietnam.

Other crimes include burglary, pick-pocketing, drug running and being forced into making fraudulent benefit claims.

Debt bondage

Victims are forced to work to pay off debts. However, in reality they will never be able to pay off these debts.

Low wages and increased debts means that they will never be able to pay off the loan.

Their debt may even be passed down to their children or other family members.

Organ harvesting

Organ harvesting involves the removal of a victim's organs or body tissue to buy or sell for money.

Forced marriage

Individuals, usually women and children, are forced to marry another person without their consent, or against their will, usually for someone else’s gain.

How to Spot Signs Of Modern Slavery

Below are some general questions to consider if you suspect that someone is a victim of modern slavery.

Appearance

Does the person look malnourished, unkempt, or appear withdrawn?

Are they suffering physical injuries?

Do they have few personal possessions and often wear the same clothes?

Behaviour

Does the person or child appear withdrawn or frightened?

Do they appear under the control or influence of others?

Do they rarely interact with others, appear unfamiliar with their neighbourhood or where they work?

Communication

Is the person unable to answer questions directed to them? Does the person with them, answer for them?

If they do speak, are they inconsistent in the information they provide, including basic facts, such as, where they live or who the person with them is? Remember that many victims will not be able to speak English.

Parents

Are the child’s parents absent?

Does the child fail to go to school?

Is the child registered with a GP?

Fear of Authorities

Is the person afraid of the authorities? Are they scared of removal? Are they afraid because of what might happen to their families?

Victims may often encounter authorities whilst being trafficked from one area to another, or they may be found in a situation that potentially criminalises them, such as a police or an immigration raid.

Legal Documents

Is the person in possession of their legal documents such as passport, identification and bank account details, or are these being held by someone else?

It is worth noting that victims will often be forced to use false, or forged, identity documents so that their true identity remains unknown.

Medical Care

Often victims will have old or serious untreated injuries.

Has there been a delay in them seeing a healthcare professional?

Are they vague, reluctant or inconsistent in explaining how the injury occurred?

Do they have any medical records?

Debt Bondage

Does the victim perceive themselves to be in debt to someone else?

Are they in a situation of dependence?

Modern Slavery Laws

There are laws in place to protect vulnerable people against trafficking and modern slavery.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is at the forefront of the fight against trafficking and modern slavery. It brings together a number of laws under one Act for all types of exploitation:

The Act aims to pursue organised criminals and individuals behind the modern slave trade.
The Act aims to prevent people from engaging in modern slavery crime.
The Act aims to raise awareness of the diversity and circumstances associated with modern slavery and human trafficking.
The Act aims to protect vulnerable people from becoming victims.
The Act enables us to be better prepared so that we can minimise the harm caused when these crimes do take place.

Get Help

If you think you are a victim of modern slavery/human trafficking contact the modern slavery helpline on 08000 121 700

We can help you to understand what is available including information, advice and ways to access government-funded support. The Modern Slavery Helpline is confidential, but, if you don't want to give your name, that is fine.

If you want to access Government-funded support as a potential victim of modern slavery/human trafficking you cannot remain anonymous as you must consent to providing your details. You cannot refer yourself for support. This must be done by a designated organisation or agency called a First Responder. First responders are made up of statutory agencies such as the police, local authorities, and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. There are also a number of designated charities who are first responders.

If you don't want to give your name or personal details it will not affect the advice and guidance our trained helpline advisers can give you.

If you agree to help the police we will pass your details to them, including any information you give us about your situation. The police may speak to you about your experience and launch an investigation. The police can apply for a visa (for up to 12 months) for you, if you are helping them with their enquiries and they need you to remain in the UK.

The helpline will work with you to establish what help and support may be available. However, we cannot guarantee access to government-funded support or other support provided by statutory or non-statutory agencies.

If there is a danger to your life or the suspected victim agrees that you can call the Police:

Call the Police on 999 (if emergency) or 101.

Call the modern slavery helpline on 0800 0121 700 or report it online (opens in new tab) .

The Salvation Army Human Trafficking Helpline 0300 303 8151

Reporting Suspected Victims For Professionals

More info on referral and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) can be found at Modern slavery - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (opens in new tab)

If there is a danger to life or the suspected victim agrees that you can call the Police:
Call the Police on 999 (if emergency) or 101.

Report modern slavery Online - Report modern slavery – GOV.UK (opens in new tab)

If you’re a first responder working for a designated organisation (opens in new tab) like the police, you can use this service to:

refer potential victims of any age to the National Referral Mechanism
help potential victims receive support and medical care
notify the Home Office of potential victims (Duty to Notify)

If the suspected victim is an Adult:
Call Nottingham Health and Care Point on 0300 1310300

If the suspected victim is under 18 years old:
Call Children & Families Direct on 0115 876 4800

If the suspected victim does not want you to call the Police or engage with the City Council:
Call the British Red Cross on 07710 733051 (24 hour line).

The British Red Cross (Your Space) Project is for potential victims who are willing to enter the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) or are unsure whether they wish to enter the NRM and need more thinking time or information before making a decision but who would otherwise be destitute.
The British Red Cross offers casework support providing non-directive information and advice on their options as well as short term practical support including accommodation, financial support, clothing and toiletries.

Help for adult victims of Modern Slavery (opens in new tab)
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