Whilst many people would consider slavery a thing of the past, tragically it still takes place in the UK today. It’s crucial we can identify modern slavery effectively to take steps to end the practice, and to provide care and support to victims.
What is Modern Slavery?
Modern slavery is a form of exploitation where people have control over another person and force them to perform work or services. This, often hidden crime, can include:
- being forced to work for an employer, often without pay
- being held captive at a property and forced to perform domestic tasks
- being owned by another person, or being bought or sold
- being forced to take part in sexual activities
- being forced into marriage
- being forced to take part in criminal activities, such as transporting or selling drugs
- human trafficking – this is where people are moved against their will to places where they can be exploited
People who are enslaved will often have restrictions placed on their freedom, may be denied access to money and possessions and experience, or be threatened with, abuse.
Modern slavery can happen to anyone, whatever their nationality, ethnicity, gender and age. People may be enslaved by criminal organisations or people close to them, such as family, friends, partners or employers. It is a hidden crime – the person being exploited may feel too afraid to tell anyone that they are being exploited, and their exploitation may be hidden from public view.
Ending modern slavery:
If you are a victim of modern slavery, or if you are concerned that someone is being exploited, click the links below for help and support:
Safer Devon – Safer Devon is working with local, regional and national partners to raise awareness of modern slavery within our communities, improve the reporting and understanding of the issue, reduce people’s vulnerability to being exploited, support and protect victims, and bring perpetrators to justice.
Local Government Association – Local Councils have a key role to play in tackling modern slavery, including in identifying and supporting victims and working in partnership locally. Check out this link to find out what support they can provide and what strategies are in place.