What is modern slavery?
Modern slavery is when victims are exploited for someone else’s gain. It can take many forms including trafficking of people, forced labour and servitude. Victims are often hidden away, may be unable to leave their situation, or may not come forward because of fear or shame.
What should I do if I suspect it may be happening?
Communities have a vital role to play in helping to spot the signs of modern slavery and to report it.
Find out more about how to spot the signs of modern slavery on the website of the anti-slavery charity Unseen.
If you suspect modern slavery, report it immediately by calling the modern slavery helpline on 0800 121 700 or the police on 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
What we do
As an organisation, we are committed to ensuring slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our business or supply chains, and we have a responsibility under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to ensure transparency in the provision of all our goods and services.
Our anti-slavery and human trafficking statement reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships. Read the statement.
What forms of modern slavery are there?
Modern slavery can take many forms. The most common are:
- 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/bonded labour – people trapped in poverty borrow money and are forced to work to pay off the debt, losing control over both their employment conditions and the debt.
- Decent-based slavery – people are treated as property, and their ‘slave’ status was passed down the maternal line.
- Slavery of children – when a child is exploited for someone else’s gain. This can include child trafficking, child soldiers, child marriage and child domestic slavery.
Forced and early – when someone is married against their will and cannot leave. Most child marriages can be considered slavery.