Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

What is Modern Slavery?

The term ‘Modern Slavery’ encompasses a wide range of criminal offences involving exploitation; it is an illicit trade in which human beings are turned into commodities to be bought, sold and exploited for vast profits. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 places a duty on specified public authorities to report details of suspected cases of Modern Slavery to the National Crime Agency. This is achieved through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

Modern slavery encompasses human trafficking and slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

Human trafficking consists of three basic components: action, means and purpose of exploitation. All three components must be present in an adult trafficking case; for child trafficking the ‘means’
component is not required.

In human trafficking cases, exploitation can take many forms, including: sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery, servitude, forced criminality and removal of organs.

Some people may not be victims of human trafficking but still victims of modern slavery if they have been subject to slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

Human trafficking is not the same as human smuggling. There are common myths about modern slavery, such as
misconceptions that UK nationals cannot be victims and that a person cannot be a victim if they reject offers of help.

Modern Slavery is a real and current issue that is happening on our doorstep.  Victims are often hidden and crimes unseen, yet it happens in plain sight in places such as car washes, nail bars and take-aways.  Exploitation can also occur in legitimate businesses.    Anyone can be a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking. Adult men and adult women, children and young people can all be potential victims of slavery. Victims of modern slavery can come from a range of backgrounds and be UK nationals as well as people from other countries.

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking - Child and Adult Multi-Agency Practice Guidance [PDF document]

Modern Slavery at a glance [PDF document]

Modern Slavery Referral Pathway [PDF document]

Modern Slavery: A Council Guide to tackling Modern Slavery (Local Government Association) [External Link]