Modern-day slavery affects people regardless of age, gender or race.

There are thought to be 13,000 victims and survivors of modern-day slavery here in the UK at an estimated cost to the economy of up to £4.3bn a year.

Modern-day slavery has been highlighted recently in the Welsh press, with the case of two nursing homes in Newport being raided and three individuals arrested on suspicion of modern-day slavery related offences.

But nursing homes aren’t the only businesses who might have a modern-day slave.  Victims can find themselves being forced to do activities such as:

• Sex work
• Car washing
• Nail bars
• Cannabis farms
• Selling drugs
• Construction
• Hospitality
• Agriculture and farming

What to do if you suspect someone is a victim

The Government has a special helpline and website where cases can be reported 0800 0121 700 or https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent has listed some of the things to look out for to help identify victims of modern-day slavery, and these are:

Living conditions

There are several indicators that someone might be a victim, the following signs might be evident if you are aware and have seen where they are living.

• Living/sleeping in their place of work
• Living or found in ‘degrading’ conditions
• Children living with non-relevant families
• Limited contact with family and limited social contact

Lack of control and autonomy

One of the main indicators of modern-day slavery is the lack of control a victim has over their own lives.  This is everything from access to a bank account to not knowing where they are living and when they might be forced to move to a new location. They might also lack access to basic things like medical care and education.

• Having no personal identification or their passport/documents are held by someone else
• Lack of money/control over their own finances or lack of access to earnings
• Any evidence of control of movement either as an individual or as a group
• Others seeking to speak for the person you are trying to engage
• Lack of access to medical care
• Children not in education

 

Signs of physical abuse

Another set of indicators might be more physically obvious, here are a few to look out for.

• Signs of branding/ownership
• Signs of physical abuse
• Injuries apparently as a result of assault or ill treatment, as a result of work, or from restraints such as shackles or rope

Other indications

An Extreme reaction to authority or a male (fear, shying away, overly suggestive) might be seen if a female has been forced into sex work.

And if someone is involved in drug dealing or county lines then there might be evidence such as a lifestyle that they can’t afford e.g. new mobile, clothes, money, or food.

Offering training to identify modern day slavery

Identifying victims of modern-day slavery can be difficult. It might be worth investing in training for your employees, so that they are aware of what they need to look out for, especially if you work for the local authorities or contract for them.

Excel Civil Enforcement offers a modern slavery & human trafficking workshop endorsed by Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. The topics covered by the workshop include:

• Human trafficking
• Forms of exploitation
• Domestic slavery
• Signs of domestic servitude
• Recognising properties that harvest cannabis
• Bonded labour
• Types of businesses which may use forced labour
• Signs that a business may be using modern slavery victims
• Forced marriage
• Range of abuse that victims may be subject to

To find out more contact [email protected]