Modern slavery

Children

‘Trafficking of persons’ means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation includes, at a minimum, sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

Trafficked victims are coerced or deceived by the person arranging their relocation. On arrival in the country of destination the trafficked child or person is denied their human rights and is forced into exploitation by the trafficker or person into whose control they are delivered.

Safeguarding Children Partnership Trafficked Children Procedure

Adults

Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. Victims may be sexually exploited (such as escort work, prostitution and pornography), forced to work for little or no pay or forced to commit criminal activities against their will. Victims may be pressured into debt-bondage (being forced to work to pay off debts that realistically they never will be able to) and are likely to be fearful of those who exploit them, who will often threaten and abuse victims and their families.

Traffickers and slave drivers coerce, deceive and force individuals against their will into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment. A large number of active organised crime groups are involved in modern slavery, but it is also committed by individual opportunistic perpetrators.

‘No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms’ The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948′

What does Modern Slavery look like?

Signs of physical or emotional abuse
Appearing to be malnourished, unkempt or withdrawn
Isolation from the community, seeming under the control or influence of others
Living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation and or living and working at the same address
Lack of personal effects or identification documents
Always wearing the same clothes
Avoidance of eye contact, appearing frightened or hesitant to talk to strangers
Fear of law enforcers

North East Lincolnshire Modern Slavery Strategy 2023-25 (PDF,779KB)

Reporting Modern Slavery

To report a case of modern slavery please call the helpline 0800 0121 700 or report it online on the modern slavery website.

Anyone that suspects another professional or adult of abuse or neglect has a duty to refer it to the relevant employer or safeguarding agency to be investigated.