Modern slavery

What is modern slavery?

Modern slavery is a brutal crime affecting thousands in the UK and millions around the world.

It is where a person is brought to or moved around the country by others who threaten, frighten or hurt them, and force them into work or into other things that they do not want to do.

Modern slavery is a term used to describe:

• human trafficking, slavery, forced labour and domestic servitude
• slavery practices such as debt bondage, the sale or exploitation of children and forced marriage.

Victims are in situations of exploitation, controlled by deception, threats and violence. 

Exploitation and how to spot it

The exploitation of victims can take many forms: 

Sexual exploitation

People are coerced, forced or intimidated into providing services of a sexual nature.

How to spot it:

• They may only have limited amounts of clothing which are mostly 'sexual' in nature.
• They may be only able to speak sexual words in English or the language of their clients.
• They may show signs of abuse, health symptoms, ritual abuse or witchcraft, and may show signs of substance abuse.
• Adverts for the premises may advertise the sexual services of people from particular ethnic or national groups.

Domestic servitude

People who live with a family, working as domestic servants or nannies.

How to spot it:

• They will rarely be allowed outside the house alone.
• They may sleep on a sofa or in a study.
• They may only feed on the family's leftovers.

Forced labour

This could be people working in factories, farms, or fast food restaurants.

How to spot it:

• They may have little protective equipment.
• They may live in overcrowded rented accommodation, with bins filled with fast-food packaging.
• Minibuses may pick them up at unusual times.

Forced street crime

People begging or committing pickpocketing or robbery offences, typically in public places or on public transport.

How to spot it:

• They may have signs of bruising, cuts or mutilation and be especially fearful of law enforcement and adults in general.
• One adult may be the guardian of a large group of children.

Cannabis cultivation

People working in houses growing cannabis.

How to spot it:

• These houses will typically have their windows covered permanently from the inside
• There may be visitors at unusual times of day or night
• There may be a vent protruding from a window or the roof, with a pungent smell coming from inside and cooling fan noises.

Organ trafficking

People who are trafficked so that their organs can be harvested, typically kidneys.

How to spot it:

• Large visible scars on either side of their abdomen.

Vulnerable locations

Exploitation can be hidden in plain sight. Because of their nature and the services they provide, some business types are more susceptible to having trafficking victims among their workers, such as:

• nail bars
• employment agencies
• letting agents
• care homes
• brothels
• businesses suspected of using migrant or cheap labour
• fast food outlets
• hotels and hospitality venues
• 'pick-your-own' sites and other agricultural businesses
• soup kitchens
• car wash sites
• drop in centres
• wedding venues (sham marriages)

Modern slavery is, by definition, the same as human trafficking, but human trafficking involves the act of transporting and movement of people. Derbyshire Constabulary has information on spotting the signs of human trafficking and how to report concerns. 

Section 52 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 places a duty on specified public authorities to notify. Derbyshire and Derby have a Modern Slavery Partnership which supports and enables the discovery of, and response to, incidents of modern slavery through a victim-centred, all-encompassing and community-based approach.  

Standing up to modern slavery

The Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner Office, in partnership with the South East Strategic Partnerships local authority lead, has developed a short video for local authorities to inform staff of indicators of modern slavery, the signs to look out for and the correct course of action. 

Support

Hope for Justice is a global charity with the goal to end modern slavery. Hope for Justice is available to offer assistance and advice in any situation where there may be victims of human trafficking or modern slavery. They can:

• meet directly with victims to offer independent guidance on their situation, and if necessary, explain their options including entering the NRM or alternatives
• offer advice and guidance to other professionals supporting victims with identification and expert advocacy
• give potential victims the option to disclose to an independent organisation and facilitate their engagement with the police should they choose to report
• use their cultural and language skills and a trauma-informed approach to build trust and engagement over time
• offer support and signposting with any other needs identified.

Reporting concerns

If you are worried about or suspect that a person may be a potential victim of modern slavery or trafficking, please telephone:

• 999, if the person is at immediate risk
• Derby City Council, 01332 640777 and ask to speak to Social Care
• 101, if a non-emergency - ask for the Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Unit
• Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Unit for advice tel: 0300 122 8057 or email MSHTU@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk 

Guidance

• Website: Safer Derbyshire - modern slavery and organised crime
• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Intelligence form

For any further information contact your local authority lead, email: Purjinder.gill@derby.gov.uk, telephone: 01332 64 3044 Mobile 07812 301218