Exploitation: Modern Slavery
1. What is Modern Slavery?
Modern slavery is a serious crime in which victims are exploited for someone else's gain.
It can take many forms, including:
| Human trafficking | The use of violence, threats or coercion to transport, recruit or harbour people in order to exploit them for purposes such as forced prostitution, labour, criminality, marriage or organ removal. |
| Forced labour | Any work or services people are forced to do against their will under threat of punishment. |
| Debt bondage | Forced to work to pay off the debt. |
| Forced marriage | When someone is married against their will and cannot leave. |
2. Modern Slavery Helpline
The Modern Slavery Helpline can provide information and advice to professionals when an adult is at risk.
Telephone: 0800 0121 700 (open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
The government has also produced a range of downloadable leaflets that can be provided to potential victims of modern slavery. They are available in 11 languages.
3. National Referral Mechanism
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the framework through which potential victims of trafficking in the UK are identified, so that they can be supported and protected.
Whenever a safeguarding concern has identified potential trafficking, a referral to the NRM should be considered.
For further guidance see National Referral Mechanism guidance: adult (England and Wales).
4. The Duty to Report Modern Slavery
Since 1st November 2015, specified organisations (including the police and local authorities) have a duty to notify the Home Office of all potential victims of modern slavery.
The mechanism for doing so is the Duty to Notify referral, which can be completed online.
5. Local Government Association Guidance
This guidance is intended to help councils enhance their response to modern slavery. Alongside an overview of modern slavery and the UK framework for tackling it, there are targeted sections for officers working in different council services such as children’s services, adult social care, housing, community and regulatory services, as well as a section on supply chains.
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