What is modern slavery?
Modern slavery involves the exploitation of people through the use of violence, intimidation, deception or coercion. It takes many forms including sexual exploitation, forced labour, participation in criminal activity, domestic servitude, forced marriage and fraud.
Victims are often trafficked across borders or within a single country or community and often face more than one form of exploitation.
It is frequently hidden from sight and to the outside world workers and businesses may appear legitimate. However, behind the scenes lives are being destroyed, communities damaged and criminals or organised crime gangs are making financial profit with no concern for human rights or the suffering and misery inflicted.
Forms of Exploitation
- Sexual exploitation - including forced prostitution and the production of indecent images and videos.
- Domestic servitude – victims often live and work in private households, performing domestic chores or childcare. Freedoms are restricted and working conditions poor, typically with long hours in return for little or no pay.
- Forced labour - modern slavery exists in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, laying driveways, hospitality, food packaging, agriculture and beauty. Victims are often forced to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in one room or dwelling, working long hours for little or no pay.
- Criminal exploitation – victims are exploited to commit crimes, such as cannabis cultivation, pick-pocketing, shop-lifting and drug trafficking for the financial gain of the trafficker.
- Other forms of exploitation - Organ removal; forced begging; forced benefit fraud; forced marriage and illegal adoption.