Modern Slavery

Slavery is when an individual is exploited by others, for personal or commercial gain, resulting in losing their freedom.

Modern slavery is real and it’s happening in our neighbourhoods across Merseyside. It is estimated that 100,000 people living in the UK are in Modern Slavery. It can affect all men, women and children and take many forms including:

• Human trafficking
• Forced labour
• Child exploitation
• Forced and early marriage

You can play a part in stamping out exploitation by learning to spot the signs.

General signs of Modern Slavery

Isolation They’re rarely allowed to travel on their own Appear to be under the control of others Tend not to interact with other people Seem unfamiliar with their neighbourhood or where they work Have relationships which don’t seem right – for example, a young teenager appearing to be the boyfriend/girlfriend of a much older adult.	Restricted freedom of movement They don’t have documents that would allow them to travel – passports, ID, etc. Limited opportunities to move freely Few personal possessions Wear the same clothes day-in day-out.
Reluctance to seek help Avoiding eye contact Appearing frightened, or hesitant to talk to strangers Fear of law enforcers Fear of deportation Unsure who to trust or where to get help Fear of violence to them or their family.	Physical appearance Signs of physical or psychological abuse, such as untreated injuries, anxiety, agitation, or appearing to be withdrawn and neglected They look malnourished or unkempt Wear clothes that are unsuitable for their work.
Poor living conditions  They’re living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation Working and living at the same address.	Unusual travel arrangements They’re always dropped off at/ collected from work; and very early in the morning or late at night Children dropped off/ picked up in private cars or taxis at unusual times and in places where it isn’t clear why they’d be there.

What to do if you spot the signs

If you suspect someone is a victim of exploitation or if you’re unsure and have concerns, here’s what you can do:

• Report your concern to national charity Unseen via their app
• Call the Modern Slavery & Exploitation helpline free on 08000 121 700. They are open 24/7 and are totally confidential                                                  
• Fill out an online form

To find out more about the types of Modern Slavery and how to spot the signs of them please visit the Modern Slavery national charity Unseen.

Modern Slavery Network 

The Modern Slavery Network was re-launched by the PCC in May 2023 to help tackle the issue of slavery and trafficking.

It brings partners and agencies to work closer together with a focus on combatting Modern Slavery and putting effective interventions in place to protect potential victims across the region.

Led by Deputy Police Commissioner, Cllr Jeanie Bell, the Network has been brought together to provide their insight and expertise on the issue of modern-day slavery, with a focus on identifying emerging themes to help prevent more people falling prey to the criminal gangs who seek to enslave the vulnerable.

Modern Slavery Delivery Plan

In January 2024, Emily Spurrell launched the regions Modern Slavery Network Delivery Plan, setting out 16 clear and achievable actions to combat Modern Slavery and exploitation.

Focussing on redoubling the efforts to tackle the issue and improve the support provided to victims of exploitation, the new strategy will shape how all organisations across Merseyside work to tackle slavery and trafficking.

“Modern Slavery devastates lives and communities, and we must work together to end exploitation and protect innocent victims from a lifetime of fear and intimidation.

“This abhorrent crime cannot be tackled by any one agency or organisation; we must respond collectively with meaningful action if we are to make positive change across Merseyside.

“That’s why it was great to have so much collective input from our partners during the consultation and it’s clear there a genuine commitment from all the agencies in the Network to stopping those who seek to exploit and manipulate the vulnerable for their own gain.”

                                                                    Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell

 

Find out more on the work to tackle Modern Slavery and take a look at the Delivery Plan 2024-2028