Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

What is Modern Slavery?

Modern Slavery can take many forms, including the trafficking of people, forced labour and servitude.

Although slavery is illegal in every country in the modern world, it still exists today and can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender and ethnicity.

The following definitions are encompassed within the term ‘modern slavery’ for the purposes of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

These are:

‘Slavery’ is where ownership is exercised over a person
‘Servitude’ involves the obligation to provide services imposed by coercion
‘Forced or compulsory labour’ involves work or service extracted from any person under the menace of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself voluntarily
 ‘Human trafficking’ concerns arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploiting them.

Facts and Figures

Modern slavery is a growing problem globally and the scale of modern slavery in the UK is significant.

Almost 21 million people worldwide are victims of forced labour – 11.4 million women and girls and 9.5 million men and boys.*

In the UK in 2016, 3,805 people were identified as potential victims of trafficking. This is a 17% increase on 2015 figures.

*Figures taken from www.unseenuk.org/modern-slavery/facts-and-figures
*Figures were last updated in October 2017

Northamptonshire’s Response

A multi-agency Modern Slavery Working Group was set up  in Northamptonshire in 2018 to tackle modern slavery in the county and is chaired by the OPFCC.  The group includes senior level representatives from the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and the Police as well as charitable organisations. The Group seeks to ensure that Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking is prevented, identified and challenged across the County.

The Modern Slavery Working Group has a responsibility to monitor the incidence of Modern Slavery locally and oversee the response of agencies. The Modern Slavery Working Group is responsible for meeting the statutory responsibility to challenge and hold to account partners in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the strategic and operational multi-agency response to Modern Slavery in Northamptonshire.

The Modern Slavery Working Group seeks to develop locally a prevention, protection, pursue and prepare strategy to:

• prevent individuals becoming vulnerable to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
• identify those at risk of becoming victims;
• take action to safeguard and promote the welfare of individuals who are being, or may be, exploited through Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking; and
• take action against those intent on abusing and exploiting individuals in this way

Spot the Signs

Below are some of the signs that might indicate trafficking. This is not an exhaustive list. If you have any concerns about an individual or a situation please call the police.

Physical Appearance

Isolation

• Rarely be allowed to travel on their own, seem under the control, influence of others, rarely interact or appear unfamiliar with their neighbourhood or where they work
• Relationships which don’t seem right – for example a young teenager appearing to be the boyfriend/ girlfriend of a much older adult.

Poor living conditions

• Be living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation, and / or living and working at the same address
• Restricted freedom of movement
• Have no identification documents, have few personal possessions and always wear the same clothes day in day out. What clothes they do wear may not be suitable for their work
• Have little opportunity to move freely and may have had their travel documents retained, e.g. passport

Unusual travel times

• Be dropped off / collected for work on a regular basis either very early or late at night
• Unusual travel arrangements- children being dropped off/ picked up in private cars/ taxis at unusual times and in places where they it isn’t clear why they’d be there

Reluctant to seek help

• Avoid eye contact, appear frightened or hesitant to talk to strangers and fear law enforcers for many reasons, such as not knowing who to trust or where to get help, fear of deportation, fear of violence to them or their family.

The Home Office has produced guidance for public sector staff, and may also be useful for members of the public or businesses, which can be found here.

Report Modern Slavery

If you believe a person is being trafficked and is in immediate danger, you should call 999 straight away.

To report concerns, get advice, or seek help, call the confidential UK Modern Slavery Helpline 0800 012 1700 or visit the website

You can also report suspicions of trafficking by calling 101 or through the website www.northants.police.uk [INSERT LINK]

Modern Slavery Strategy

The Modern Slavery Working Group has developed a modern slavery strategy. This acts a foundation for partnership activity over the next two years. For further information, please contact Paul.golley@northantspfcc.pnn.gov.uk

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking strategy