Human Trafficking & Modern Day Slavery
What is it?
Human Trafficking (HT) is the illegal movement of victims for the purpose of exploitation. In Modern Day Slavery (MDS), people who have been trafficked are held against their will and forced to work. This is often manual labour or sexual exploitation. They are two separate crimes and are similar but distinct.
How does it happen?
Sometimes people are coerced into travelling, sometimes they are tricked to go under their own free will - for instance with the promise of a job or accommodation at the other end. Once at the destination however, their passports and documents are taken away and they are forced to work.
How are people trapped?
Traffickers often tell victims that they have to work in order to pay them back for transport tickets, accommodation or other costs and use threats (such as harming the rest of their family) and violence to control them. Under this guise, amazingly a number of victims do not even realise what is going on. But this is Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery.
SPOTTING THE SIGNS
What to look for
Many people are unaware that Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery happens here in the UK - indeed the problem is rife and rising. Using the refugee crisis as a veil, we can only expect to see the problem snowball. It is important that there is common awareness of the risk and signs.
KEY INDICATORS:
- Unvetted job offers
- Offers too good to be true
- No job footprint-website/contract of jobs/vetted locations
- Perpetrator insisting on a decision Intimidation and threats
- Perpetrator appears agitated when questioned on job offer/accommodation/ transport
Behaviour of a potential victim
- Seems anxious/agitated or withdrawn and neglected
- Appears to be under the control of someone else and reluctant to interact with others
- Avoids eye contact, appears frightened or nervous of the police
- Can’t communicate freely
SAFETY MEASURES
YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Nobody is allowed to retain your personal documents other than the police. If anyone is soliciting this from you, no matter the reasons, refuse and report the situation.
- Nobody is allowed to solicit sexual services against your will or to force you to work or beg in exchange for the offered support. This is a crime.
- If accepting accommodation or a job, make sure you know the address where you will be staying. Send the details to someone you trust. Remember HT & MDS can happen within your own country - not just abroad.
UK HELPLINE NUMBERS
IF YOU SUSPECT TRAFFICKING OR MODERN DAY SLAVERY IN THE UK, PLEASE CALL:
- The Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, run by Unseen: 08000 121 700
- The Salvation Army on: 0800 808 3733
- Or call 999 and ask for the Police
- To report a missing child, report sitings of a missing child and get support whilst searching for your loved one call: Runaway Helpline on: 116 000
(this can be used internationally)
