The term ‘modern slavery’ encompasses both trafficking (the arranging or facilitating of the travel of another, whether into, out of or within the UK, with a view to that person being exploited) and exploitation itself, which can take place both alongside and independently of trafficking.

There has always been and there is now slavery – it’s Right Here, Right Now

It is not a thing of the past.  It is illegal but thousands of people in the UK are currently living as slaves.  This means their freedom has been taken and they are forced to work against their will.  They often live and work in plain sight but we do not see them or recognise their vulnerability.

Exploitation can take many forms, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, domestic servitude and exploitation in criminal activity, such as county lines drug supply, shoplifting and cannabis cultivation.  Most modern slavery is motivated by profit.  Modern slavery is almost unique in that the repeated exploitation of victims generates ongoing profit for offenders, which can result in substantial financial gain.  In 2023, Hope for Justice estimated that modern slavery and human trafficking generated illicit annual profits of well over US$245 billion every year*.

How does it happen?

Victims are forced, coerced or deceived into exploitation, becoming trapped in a situation they cannot escape.  Exploiters may be part of a large criminal organisation, a smaller operation or lone offenders.  Usually, they are highly organised and good at disguising their activities.

Survivors tell stories of being sold a better life.  In the case of children drawn into gangs and county lines, they often speak of feeling a sense of belonging and identity.  They are often vulnerable, perhaps coming from difficult family backgrounds, poverty, areas where there is little work, have not fitted in at school or have few friends and, often, no trusted adult.  They may be offered a job, a chance to get off the streets, to build a new life for themselves, to be part of a group and have friends or to make money and help their families.  Those who offer these opportunities may even organise their travel to a different country, controlling every aspect of their trip.

The job they were offered turns out to be a lie and instead, they are forced to work in difficult and degrading conditions, with little or no pay.  The threat of violence, to themselves or their families, hangs over them and traps them in their situation.  Even if their trafficker does not physically control them, a mistrust of authority may stop them from going to the police.

How can someone control another person in that way?

Exploiters could be individuals or well-organised gangs – either way, they are well-practised and use a range of methods to control victims, including:

• actual violence or threats of violence toward them or their loved ones
• substance addiction
• debt bondage
• withholding identity documents and controlling bank accounts
• deceit and coercion so victims don’t realise they are being exploited and controlled
• creating a fear of authority so victims don’t know where to go/who to turn to.

As a result, victims may hide the signs themselves out of shame, fear of retribution or fear of the authorities. Or, they may not seek help because they don’t see themselves as a victim or they lack knowledge about their rights.

* Hope for Justice 2023 – Updated estimate of the illicit monetary profits of modern slavery and human trafficking