Human trafficking and modern day slavery

If someone has forced or tricked you to do anything you are not comfortable with, you may be a victim of human trafficking and modern day slavery.

Human trafficking and modern day slavery includes the threat or use of force, coercion, deception and abuse of power to control another person, for the purpose of exploitation.

Exploitation can include:

• sexual exploitation for example, forcing someone to have sex for money
• forced marriage
• forced labour, forcing someone to work long hours, in hard conditions for example in a factory or farm work, and to hand over most if not all of their wages
• forced to participate in begging or benefit fraud
• domestic servitude for example, forcing someone to perform household tasks such as child care and house-keeping over long hours and for little if any pay
• trafficking people in order to use their internal organs for transplant without their permission

There is no typical victim of human trafficking or modern slavery, it can affect anyone, of any age, gender or nationality. Some victims don’t understand they’re being exploited and many don’t speak English. Victims of human trafficking or modern slavery can be moved to the UK from other countries or they can be moved within a country, for example from Manchester to Bristol.

The person might:

• be working against their will
• not be allowed to go where they want, when they want
• not have their identity documents
• have been threatened or hurt
• not know their address
• be living in an overcrowded house or flat
• not be registered with a GP, school or other local services
• be living with people they’re not related to
• not be able to talk or write to other people
• appear frightened

Advice and support

Call 999 if a crime is happening now, or if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

Anti-Slavery Partnership

The Avon and Somerset Anti-Slavery Partnership aims to find and support victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, disrupt criminal activity and prosecute those responsible. It’s made up of people from the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership, Avon and Somerset Police and Unseen. For more information about the ASP email coordinator@aspartnership.org.uk

Modern Slavery Helpline

The Modern Slavery Helpline and Resource Centre provides victims, the public, and agencies access to information and support. It is part of the anti-slavery charity Unseen.

Call the helpline 08000 121 700 or report concerns online

Unseen UK

Unseen UK is a charity established to disrupt and challenge human trafficking at all levels.

Salvation Army

A confidential referral helpline for people who may be victims of trafficking and for anyone concerned about people they think may be victims of trafficking. Call 0300 303 8151, the helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Crimestoppers

If you are a victim of a crime or have information about a crime, you can contact Crimestoppers and give this information. You can contact them anonymously if you choose. Call 0800 555 111 or give information to Crimestoppers anonymously online.

Further resources

Human Trafficking Training For Hotel Staff Toolkit - The COMBAT training toolkit is a practical, step-by-step guide for hotels to proactively fight trafficking.

Support for victims of modern slavery leaflet - a leaflet outlining the support available for victims of modern slavery in 11 languages.

Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority worker resources - The GLAA exists to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation.

National Crime Agency website - information and videos about human trafficking and modern day slavery.

National referral mechanism - a framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support. Only staff at designated first responder organisations can make referrals.