Modern slavery takes various forms and affects people of all ages, gender and races. Examples include:
- Human trafficking (child and/or adult)
- Forced labour
- Domestic servitude
- Sexual exploitation, such as escort work, prostitution and pornography
- Debt bondage - being forced to work to pay off debts that realistically will never be paid off.
What are the characteristics?
Someone is in slavery if they are:
- Forced to work - through the threat of mental or physical abuse
- Owned or controlled by an 'employer', usually through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse
- Dehumanised, treated as a commodity or bought and sold as 'property'
- Physically constrained or has restrictions placed on their freedom of movement
- Lack of personal effects or identification documents.
What are the signs?
- 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- Appearing to be malnourished, unkempt or withdrawn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.
Advice and support