Modern slavery

Modern slavery is the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of exploitation.

Someone is in slavery if they are:

  • forced to work through coercion, or mental or physical threat
  • trapped and controlled by an ’employer’  through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse
  • dehumanised treated as a commodity or bought and sold as ‘property’
  • physically constrained or have restrictions placed on their freedom of movement

Spotting the signs

The signs of modern slavery and exploitation are often hidden, making it difficult to recognise potential victims.

There are different signs for adults and children experiencing trafficking, these are some of the most common signs.

Common signs of adults being trafficked Common signs of children being trafficked
  • Restricted freedom of movement and/or isolation.
  • No identification documents and/or these documents being held by someone else.
  • Poor working and/or living conditions.
  • Unusual travel times to and from work and/or unidentified locations. 
  • An unknown adult caring for a child i.e. an absent parent or legal guardian.
  • Poor school attendance and withdrawal from activities, family, friends etc.
  • Use of inappropriate and/or over-sexualised language.

For more information on modern slavery and how to spot the signs, visit Stop Exploitation website. To find advice for different industries, visit Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority's guidance on Labour Exploitation.

Reporting modern slavery or exploitation

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. If you need help, but cannot speak, use silent help – call 999 and press 55 and the operator will respond.

For those who are not in immediate danger you can still report modern slavery or exploitation;

  • call 101 (request for the modern slavery unit).
  • call the 24/7 charity-run Modern Slavery Helpline anonymously on 08000 121 700 or report online. If you have a suspicion or concern, but are unsure whether to act on it, give the Modern slavery helpline  a call. There are interpreters that can speak up to 200 languages available to provide free and confidential advice and support.

Exploiters and traffickers are dangerous criminals, therefore it is vital that members of the public do not attempt to act on suspicions themselves, as they may put themselves or the victims at risk.

Broxbourne Council are a part of the Hertfordshire Modern Slavery Partnership. The partnership brings together more than sixty agencies and charities from across the county to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms.