Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Modern Slavery is when you have your freedom taken away and are controlled by another person to do something that benefits them.
There are many different types of Modern Slavery, but it will usually involve you being tricked or forced into work for little or no pay, committing crimes or being sexually exploited.
Human Trafficking is a part of Modern Slavery and is happening in the UK. People are brought into the country – or moved around within it – and forced to work, or do other things they don’t want to do. Many victims are brought in from poor countries, with the promise of a well-paid job, but instead, they find themselves living and working in terrible conditions. Young people from this country can also be targeted and exploited – for example, those who are made to work in County Lines.
Some other common types of exploitation linked to trafficking are:
- Sex trafficking – victims have to work as prostitutes, or in other areas of the sex industry such as pornography or escort agencies
- Forced labour – victims are threatened or physically forced to work and receive little or no pay. Commonly this might be working in fields, on a fishing boat, in car washes, nail bars or building sites
- Working as a servant – cooking, cleaning in a household, again for low pay or no pay and sometimes facing abuse
- Forced crime – begging, stealing or dealing drugs
- Organ harvesting – victims have organs, such as a kidney, removed from their body to be sold illegally
What are the signs?
Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking normally don’t realise what they are getting into and by the time they understand what is happening to them, they feel trapped and unable to escape. It’s always sensible to be cautious if someone offers you the chance to make money and to check with a trusted adult.
If you are being exploited, it’s important to recognise the signs as early as possible – this could prevent you from being hurt or abused.
You should seek help if:
- You are being given money to do jobs for someone, such as delivering packages and you are warned not to tell anyone about it
- You are encouraged to work for someone who promises you gifts, such as expensive clothes or trainers
- Someone older than you becomes your friend or wants to start a relationship with you and they try to take you away from your existing friends
- You are asked to carry a weapon
- You spend time away from home or school and are asked to travel long distances
- You experience violence and you have bruises or other injuries
- You are given drugs and/or alcohol
What could happen to me?
While there are many different types of Modern Slavery, some of the ways it affects victims are very similar.
You will often be faced with threats of violence, or suffer actual physical violence, to make you do what the people who are exploiting you want. Your family or friends could also be targeted. You could also be sexually abused by the people who are exploiting you.
You might be told that you have a debt and that you have to work to pay it off, meaning you receive little or no pay.
If you are forced into crime, such as stealing or dealing drugs, you could be arrested and receive a criminal record, which will seriously affect your future.
Victims of Modern Slavery often have to live in dirty, cramped conditions and they can be exposed to dangerous situations, like drug use. You could also be prevented from leaving your accommodation and moving around freely.