Modern slavery

Modern slavery

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Millions of people around the world are trapped in modern slavery. The National Crime Agency estimates that there are tens of thousands of people being held in modern slavery in the UK.

It is a crime happening in our communities, takeaways, hotels, car washes, nail bars and private homes. Modern slavery takes many forms. Someone is in slavery if they are:

  • forced to work through mental or physical threat
  • owned or controlled by an 'employer', usually through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse
  • dehumanised, treated as a commodity or bought and sold as ‘property’
  • physically constrained or have restrictions placed on his/her freedom

There are different types of Modern Slavery. It can include any or several of the following: 

  • sexual exploitation and sex trafficking
  • forced labour
  • debt bondage
  • domestic servitude
  • criminal exploitation 
  • forced child labour 
  • organ harvesting 

If someone’s life is in danger call 999.

You can find out more about modern slavery at Unseen:

Modern slavery - Unseen

You can also download the Unseen App.

Call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 to get help, report a suspicion or get advice.