Modern Slavery incorporating Human Trafficking
Modern Slavery encompasses a wide range of criminal offences and includes human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, organ harvesting, debt bondage and sexual exploitation. Human trafficking takes place within the borders of the United Kingdom as well as internationally and includes the trafficking of people for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers and their associates coerce, force and deceive children and adults into a life of servitude, abuse and inhuman treatment.
Modern slavery is a safeguarding issue and practitioners have an important role to play. If someone identified as being a victim of human trafficking is an adult with care and support needs the response should be co-ordinated under the multi-agency safeguarding procedures and should involve police, health trusts and immigration officials in accordance with the multi-agency procedures outlined within this document.
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 places a duty on specified public authorities to report suspected cases of modern slavery to the National Crime Agency. This is achieved through the National Referral mechanism (NRM) and the ‘duty to notify’. Section 52 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 [external link] places a statutory duty on the specified public authorities to respond to suspected incidents of modern slavery and human trafficking. This is called the ‘duty to notify’. The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) takes referrals of both adults and children identified as victims of trafficking.
If children are identified as victims the matter must be dealt with under the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Multi-Agency Child Protection Procedures [link].
Early intervention is vital to ending the abuse and providing the assistance which is necessary. Practitioners need to be able to identify the signs that someone is a victim of human trafficking. It should be noted that many individuals will not self-identify as a victim of crime and may be distrustful of the authorities.
Modern Slavery can co-exist with other categories of abuse including Domestic Abuse and Sexual Abuse.
A potential victim of modern slavery is a potential victim of crime. All instances where an individual is identified as a potential victim of modern slavery must be reported to Durham Constabulary on 101. If a victim or others are at risk of immediate significant harm inform the emergency services on 999.
If you think modern slavery is happening, you can report to Durham Constabulary using the online reporting service [external link]
For in depth guidance on this subject, how to identify potential victims of modern slavery, how to refer suspected cases to Durham Constabulary and Adult Social Care and how to notify the UKHTC see Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Practice Guidance (May 2021) [PDF document]
For in depth guidance on modern slavery and the responsibilities of local authorities see Local Government Association Modern Slavery: A Council Guide [external link]
See also: Modern Slavery at a glance [PDF document]