What is modern slavery?
Modern slavery is where a person(s) is exploited by others for personal or commercial gain by means of force, threats, deception or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. It can take many forms including:
Sexual Exploitation
Forced Labour
Domestic Servitude
Child Exploitation
Organ Harvesting
Forced and Early Marriage
Victims are forced to work against their will in many different settings, including brothels, cannabis farms, nail bars, car washes, agriculture and even within people’s homes.
It is not an issue confined to history or an issue that only exists in certain countries. It is a global problem, and it is happening right now here in Lancashire.
Modern slavery includes human trafficking. This is when victims are taken from one place to another. This could be country to country, town to town, or even as simple as one room in a building to another.
Even if a victim appears to consent to being moved, trafficking may still be occurring if coercion, deception, or exploitation is involved.
Anyone can be a target for modern slavery. But some people can be at more risk because of money, social or health issues, or because of their age or immigration status.
It is a problem that transcends age, gender and ethnicities, and can impact both foreign nationals and British citizens.
Victims are generally living in fear, do not fully understand what is happening to them and comply with their abusers in hiding the reality – often because of threats of violence made to them and their families.
Signs to look for
There are several signs that could indicate if someone is a victim of modern slavery. They may:
What do I do if I suspect someone is being exploited?
If you think modern slavery is happening, tell someone as soon as you think it’s safe to. This could be about a victim, a suspect, or a particular business or place. You will always be taken seriously, and protection and support are available.