Modern slavery is a serious crime. It is not an issue confined to history or an issue that only exists in certain countries. It is something that is still happening today, and it happens in the UK.
Victims of modern slavery may be exploited, controlled, threatened or punished to stop them escaping the situation or reporting the crime.
Modern slavery can include human trafficking. This is when victims are taken between countries or around a country so they can be exploited. There have been reports of people being trafficked into universities in the UK and and then taken to work elsewhere.
Modern slavery offences within the UK are set out in the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Forms of modern slavery can include:
Sexual exploitation
Victims are forced into sex work or to perform sexual acts against their wishes and without their consent. Most victims of sexual exploitation are women and children, but men can also be affected.
Forced labour
Forced labour is when victims are threatened or physically forced into working in someone's home or business. Criminals might also trick their victims by promising real work in another place or country, then forcing them into slavery once they arrive.
Spotting modern slavery
Modern slavery can happen anywhere in any situation. The signs of forced labour, and criminal or sexual exploitation can be very different. A victim of modern slavery might look afraid, but they may also seem to accept their situation, appear unaware of it, or even defend the people who are exploiting them.
Some signs of modern slavery could be if someone is:
·rarely allowed to travel on their own
·has someone speaking for them
·is not sure of their own address
·has no control of their identification documents, such as their passport
·appears frightened, or unwilling to talk to people in uniform or in positions of authority