What is modern slavery?
Modern slavery can take many forms, including
the trafficking of people, forced labour, servitude and
slavery.
It can affect adults and children and is an
international crime, affecting an estimated 29.8 million people
around the world. You might think it is something that’s confined
to the history books, but it’s still happening today, and it
happens here in the UK.
If you or someone you know is in
immediate danger, always call 999.
Modern slavery can include:
- Sexual exploitation, including sexual abuse, forced
prostitution and abuse of children for the production of images or
videos
- Domestic servitude, where a victim is forced to work in private
households with restricted freedom and working long hours for
little or no pay
- Forced labour, where victims are forced to work long hours for
little or no pay in poor conditions, under verbal or physical
threats to them or their families
- Criminal exploitation, where a victim is exploited to commit a
crime, for example pickpocketing, shoplifting, drug trafficking and
cannabis cultivation
- Organ removal
- Forced begging
- Forced benefit fraud
- Illegal adoption
Find out
more about modern slavery.
Where can I get help for me or someone else?
Help is out there and you will be taken
seriously.
If you or someone you know is in immediate
danger, always call 999.
To talk to us about your own situation or
report your concerns about someone else when it’s not an emergency,
call us on 0800 40 50 40 or text us on
61016.
You can also call your local police on
101, visit your nearest police station or speak to
a police officer or police community support officer in person.
What if I don’t want to speak to the
police?
You can report your suspicions or concerns to
the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or
visit the website to make a report
online.
You can also call Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.