Modern Slavery

The Modern Slavery Act 2015

The Act, passed in March 2015, tackles the crimes of holding another person in slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour or trafficking a person.

How does the Act affect us?

We have to put measures in place to stop slavery – We have to show we are taking effective measures to stamp out slavery by publishing an annual Human Slavery and Trafficking statement. We have to republish it every year, showing the progress we’ve made.

You have to help us – We have to make sure you are trained to spot possible slavery and trafficking and report it.

You have a responsibility to report any suspicions you may have – in confidence.

What is modern slavery?

Forced Labour
Someone may be forced to work against their will often for long hours in awful conditions and for little or no pay because they are being verbally or physically threatened with violence to them or their families.

Child Trafficking
Children (under 18s) are recruited, moved or transported to be exploited, forced to work or sold.

Debt Bondage
Someone is forced to work to pay back a debt. They are promised their freedom once the debt is paid but it’s often unlikely the debt will ever be repaid and it may be passed on from generation to generation.

Sexual Exploitation
Someone is forced into non-consensual sex work under the threat of violence or to pay back a debt.

Criminal Exploitation
Someone is forced to take part in criminal activities under threat. Once they have committed the criminal act, they are more vulnerable to coercion and abuse.

Domestic Servitude
Vulnerable adults are forced to do housework and domestic tasks in private households. They may have their passports removed; they may be an illegal immigrant but they are convinced they have no option to leave. It’s likely that they receive little or no pay, have their freedom restricted and live and work in dire conditions.

Forced Marriage
Women and children are sold or forced into marriage without their consent or against their will.

Trafficking
Victims are bought and sold as a commodity and exploited.

How are people coerced?

Victims could be vulnerable because:

• Their identity papers or travel documents have been confiscated
• They don’t have any money
• Their wages are confiscated
• They are kept isolated: e.g.: their mobile phones are confiscated; they are kept physically separated
• They are constantly being watched
• They are locked in their workplace or living quarters

Victims of slavery could be threatened with:

• Being reported to the authorities – e.g., if they are illegally in the country or have committed a crime
• Sexual violence
• Physical violence
• Religious reprisals
• Violence against family members
• Removal of rights or privileges (including promotion)
• Violence against them in front of other workers
• Further deterioration in working conditions
• Other forms of punishment

The signs of slavery

How do you spot potential victims?

Physical Appearance

The person might:
• Show signs of physical abuse – bruising, wincing, breaks
• Have poor hygiene or grooming
• Wear the same clothes everyday
• Wear clothes that are unsuitable for the work
• Show signs of malnourishment

Interactions with others

The person may be:
• Withdrawn
• Unwilling to make eye contact
• Generally anxious
• Hesitant
• Frightened of anyone in authority
• Unwilling to accept any help

Living conditions

Their living conditions might be:
• Cramped and overcrowded
• Dirty

Possessions

The person might have:
• Few personal items
• No official identification documents

Connections with others

The person may:
• Have no obvious friends and family
• Rarely interact with colleagues
• Be unfamiliar with their neighbourhood

Travel and money

The person:
• Never travels alone
• Is dropped off / collected for work very early or late at night
• Always says he or she has to ask permission to do anything
• Has restricted freedom of movement

Reporting slavery

DO
Report your suspicions immediately

Tell your manager or a legal or compliance officer, or someone in authority in confidence

Outside of work, call a national help line

DON’T
Talk to the person you suspect is the victim

Tackle the person you suspect is the perpetrator

Do you know who you should or would report suspicions of slavery to?

If you judge that you or the victim are in immediate danger, always call 999 and tell the police.

999 for emergencies
101 for non-emergencies, 24/7