No. 15: Modern slavery
Contents
What is modern slavery?
Modern slavery is often a hidden crime, which includes slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. The common factors are that a victim is, or is intended to be, used or exploited for someone else’s (usually financial) gain, without respect for their human rights. The perpetrators seeking to take advantage of them could be private individuals, running small businesses or part of a wider organised crime network.
Child victims and vulnerable adults are not able to give informed consent and therefore exploitation even without any element of coercion could constitute modern slavery.
It is impossible to know the full extent of modern slavery in the UK however Home Office data for 2021 indicates that over 12,000 victims were identified, an increase of 20% on the previous year. 43% of potential victims were children, with most referred for criminal exploitation. 75% of the UK Nationals identified as potential victims were children, with boys more likely to be referred to the NRM for criminal exploitation (CCE) and girls, sexual exploitation (CSE). From 2020 there has been a rapid increase in the identification of county lines as a form of CCE with an average of 500 referrals per quarter. In 2021 2,053 county line referrals were flagged: an increase of 23% and again the majority of these (76%) were for male children.
(Modern Slavery: NRM & Duty to Notify statistics, UK, end of year summary 2021)
Types of modern slavery
Labour exploitation
Labour exploitation usually involves unacceptably low pay, poor working conditions or excessive wage deductions, but is not solely about this. To constitute modern slavery there will also be some form of coercion meaning that victims cannot freely leave for other employment or exercise choice over their own situation. Where the perpetrator is taking advantage of a child or vulnerable person, an offence can be committed without the element of coercion.
Sexual exploitation
Victims are coerced into sex work or sexually abusive situations. This includes child sexual exploitation. Victims may be brought to the UK on the promise of legitimate employment, or moved around the UK to be sexually exploited. In some cases they may know they will be involved in sex work, but are forced into a type or frequency they did not agree to. Victims are more commonly female but can also be male.
Criminal exploitation
Criminal exploitation is the exploitation of a person to commit a crime for someone else’s gain. For example victims could be coerced into shoplifting, pick-pocketing, entering into a sham marriage, benefit fraud, begging or drug cultivation such as cannabis farming. Criminal exploitation can also include County Lines.
Other forms of modern slavery include:
- Human trafficking
- Domestic servitude
- Debt bondage
- Descent-based slavery
- Coercion and control
- Denial of normal freedom and
- Living in fear
It is important to remember that education settings may become professionally curious and concerned for both children attending and their parents/carers.
Signs to look out for
Victims of modern slavery can be found anywhere. There are certain industries where they are currently more prevalent, such as nail bars, car washes, agriculture and fishing, building sites and the sex industry. Other high-risk situations include when there is a need for a sudden injection of workers into the work force, such as seasonal staff or construction for a major event. However victims may also pass-through transport hubs, health services and other public places or be found in private homes.
For both children and adults be professionally curious around:
- Physical appearance
- Isolation
- Poor living conditions
- Few or no personal effects
- Restricted freedom of movement
- Unusual travel times
- A reluctance to seek help
Indicators of a potential victim may include
- Limited/sporadic school attendance
- Missing episodes (especially from care), expression of fear or anxiety
- Signs of psychological trauma (including post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Underage pregnancy
- Inappropriate sexual behaviour
- Substance misuse
- Limited social contact/isolation
- Lack of access to medical care
- Injuries apparently a result of assault or controlling measures
- A lack of belongings (a limited/no change of clothes, unsuitable for activity)
- Unexplained or untreated injuries and bruising
- Malnourished
- Providing a prepared story if questioned or struggling to recall experiences
Children who have been trafficked may not see themselves as victims. They may find it hard to understand that what’s happening is abuse – especially if they’ve been groomed.
Children may think they played a part in their abuse or that they’re guilty of breaking the law.
What should you do if you suspect modern slavery?
You should follow your settings safeguarding procedures. This may include filling in a National
Referral Mechanism (NRM) form (referrals to the NRM are not compulsory but if the potential victim of trafficking is a child, the referral can be made without their consent) or Duty to Notify form, if that is part of your safeguarding procedures (the Local Authority has a duty to notify all suspected cases).
Additionally, the case should always be reported by one of the following methods:
- Phoning 999 if there is an immediate risk of harm
- Reporting to the police on 101 or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 if there is not an immediate risk of harm (or complete the online referral form)
Children’s Voice
Taken from Child victims of modern slavery in the UK: March 2022
“It’s on your doorstep. You just don’t see it.”
– male victim of criminal exploitation, aged 16 years
“They had loads of money and nice cars. They gave me stuff, gave me money – a lot of money for a 13-year-old kid. They made me feel like I belonged.”
– male victim of criminal exploitation aged 16 years
“I will get my head kicked in if I am seen talking to anyone.”
– female victim of sexual exploitation aged 14 years
“Men took me, they did whatever they wanted to me. I just cried every night. If my parents ever found out, they’d kill me.”
– female aged 16 years who was sexually exploited
Further Information
Devon and Cornwall Police: Modern Slavery information
Modern Slavery Helpline: file a report/access support
Devon Children and Families Partnership: Child trafficking and modern slavery
Gov.UK: Modern slavery training: resources page
Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner: Links to further resources