Raising awareness of the signs of modern slavery this Anti-Slavery Day

Community, Health and Social Care, Homepage

Monday 18 October marks Anti-Slavery Day and the council want residents to know how to spot the signs of modern slavery.

It may surprise many people that though slavery was abolished in 1833, there are more slaves today than ever before in human history, providing approximately £150 billion a year in profit to criminals, according to a study by the ILO (International Labour Organization).[i]

Modern slavery takes many forms but for adults in the UK, labour exploitation is most common. Forced labour can take place on building sites, nail bars, car washes and even by ‘businesses’ that are working on your home.

Modern slavery rarely fits the stereotype of people being chained up or kept in cages and can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or gender.

Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Arif Hussain said:

“Modern slavery rarely has the chains we see in old movies, it’s more subtle, trying to always be two steps ahead of the law. As a relatively affluent county, we are an ideal destination for modern slaves, so we all need to take the time to understand what the signs are and what to do.”

The indicators of modern slavery are extensive and depend on the type of exploitation taking place but some of the key signs for adults include:

  • Appearance – Signs of physical or psychological abuse, look malnourished or unkempt, or appear withdrawn.
  • Isolation – Victims may rarely be allowed to travel on their own, seem under the control, influence of others, rarely interact or appear unfamiliar with their neighbourhood or where they work.
  • Poor living conditions – Victims may be living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation, and / or living and working at the same address.
  • Few or no personal belongings – Victims may have no identification documents, have few personal possessions and always wear the same clothes day in day out. What clothes they do wear may not be suitable for their work.
  • Restricted freedom of movement – Victims have little opportunity to move freely and may have had their passports retained.
  • Unusual travel times – They may be dropped off / collected for work on a regular basis either very early or late at night.
  • Reluctance to seek help – Victims may avoid eye contact, appear frightened or hesitant to talk to strangers and fear law enforcers for many reasons, such as not knowing who to trust or where to get help, fear of deportation, fear of violence to them or their family.

More information to support you in spotting the signs for other forms of exploitation, including child exploitation, can be found here – https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/spot-the-signs

To report anything call Victims First on 0300 1234 148 or use the online form.

You can also call Buckinghamshire Council’s First Response Team on 01296 383 962 for children.

The Missing and Exploitation Hub supports victims of all forms of exploitation up to the age of 25.

Or if you are concerned about an adult, call the Safeguarding Adults Team on 0800 137915.