Modern slavery
Forced labour and exploitation.
What is modern slavery?
Safeguarding adults duties apply where a victim of modern slavery has care and support needs, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves from abuse or harm. For example, someone with a learning disability may be employed but work long hours for very little pay, the employer taking advantage of them.
What does modern slavery look like?
Sexual exploitation including prostitution and ‘adult entertainment’
Forced labour – commonly in agricultural, construction, food processing, hospitality industries, factories, car washers and nail bars – farming, textile production
Domestic servitude
Organ harvesting
Forced criminality – includes cannabis cultivation, street crime, forced begging, burglary, metal theft and benefit fraud
Signs of modern slavery
People may be:
Distrustful of authorities
Expression of fear or anxiety
Signs of psychological trauma
Acts as if instructed by another
Injuries apparently a result of assault or controlling measures
Evidence of control over movement, either as an individual or as a group
Found in or connected to a type of location likely to be used for exploitation
Restriction of movement and confinement to the workplace or to a limited area
Limited social contact / contact with family
Unable or reluctant to give details of accommodation or work address
Perception of being bonded by debt
Money deducted from salary for food or accommodation
Threat of being handed over to authorities
Threats against the individual or their family members
No or limited access to bathroom or hygiene facilities, or medical care
Passport or documents held by someone else
Being placed in a dependency situation
Appearing unkempt, or malnourished.
Having untreated injuries.
Not speaking for themselves, and someone else pays for all their travel and food.
Being picked up and dropped off from work or another location at odd times
Not knowing their own address