Modern slavery is closer than you think

Modern slavery is present in every single area of the UK. You probably see people trapped in slavery on a regular basis. It might be someone working in a private home on your street, the man working in the car wash in town, or the cleaner who empties your office bin every night. It can be difficult to spot the signs, but if you are concerned about someone, contact the modern slavery helpline.

The number of people identified as victims of modern slavery has been rising year on year, with over 10,000 people referred to authorities in 2019. The real number of people trapped in slavery is estimated to be much higher.

Modern slavery in the UK can take many forms, including forced sexual exploitation, domestic slavery or forced labour on farms, in construction, shops, bars, nail bars, car washes or manufacturing.

Forced labour is the most common form of slavery in the UK, fueled by a drive for cheap products and services, with little regard for the people behind them.

A growing form of slavery is trafficking into crime. In the UK, it’s fuelled by the trafficking of primarily British children, forced into ‘county lines’ drug trafficking and trafficking of Vietnamese nationals forced to work in cannabis production.

To find out more about spotting the signs of Modern Slavery and how to report any suspicions you may have please visit www.antislavery.org

You can also learn more from the below information from Humber Modern Slavery Partnership .

Training and learning: free short online courses with the open university

Modern slavery quiz with a prosecution angle: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/society-politics-law/law/modern-slavery-quiz-would-you-prosecute

Level one – introductory course on MDS: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/the-law/modern-slavery/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab

As with all the free OU courses you get a free statement of participation once each short course has been completed.