Modern Slavery

What is Modern Slavery?

Modern slavery is where someone controls another for profit by taking advantage of their vulnerability. The victim can be coerced or forced by the perpetrator physically (including sexually), financially, and/or psychologically.

Victims can be tricked or forced into exploitation through violence, fear, fraud or coercion.

Types of exploitation include:

  • Factories and farm work
  • Restaurants
  • Domestic service and hospitality
  • Construction industry
  • Hand car washes
  • Nail bars
  • Prostitution
  • Drug running (County Lines)

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is the movement of people for exploitative means, such as through force, fraud, coercion, abduction, or deception.

This includes:

  • Slavery (someone is owned by another)
  • Forced or compulsory labour (involves forced work or service from any person under the threat of a penalty)
  • Enslavement (providing services imposed by coercion)
  • Organ harvesting (removal of organs)
  • Prostitution
  • Other sexual exploitation (forced to work in the sex industry. Child sexual exploitation is a type of sexual abuse)

Spot the signs

It’s important that you are aware of how to spot the signs of someone who is being exploited.

Victims may:

  • Look malnourished or unkempt
  • Be withdrawn and unwilling to interact
  • Live in cramped, dirty, overcrowded accommodation
  • Have no identity documents
  • Appear scared, avoid eye contact, and be untrusting
  • Show signs of abuse and/or have health issues.

Councils can refer cases to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) which is used to identify and refer potential victims of modern slavery into support. 

How do I report modern slavery and get support?

  • You can report crime directly to Suffolk Police  or anonymously through Crimestoppers

  • If you would prefer to speak to someone, please dial 101 for crimes that have happened, where someone will be able to help you.  

    Always dial 999 when life is threatened or people are injured, or if there is a crime in progress, someone is in danger or an immediate police response is necessary.  

  • You can report potential victims or any concerns to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.
  • You can contact the Salvation Army referral helpline 0300 303 8151
  • Contact Unseen UK

Find out more here:

For additional information, visit Suffolk Constabulary's website.

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