Modern Slavery

How do I report a concern?

• If you suspect a modern slavery crime is being committed, but there is no immediate risk of harm, you can report it to the police on 101, or the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700
• The Salvation Army 24 hour confidential referral helpline 0300 303 8151
• Stop the Traffik 24 hour confidential victim helpline.

If you suspect that someone is being exploited or has been trafficked, do not confront the person who you believe is responsible, or let the victim know of your suspicions, as you may risk putting them and yourself in more danger.

Help and support

If you need help or think someone you know is at risk:

Contact the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700, available in 200 languages.

Contact the Police on 101 for help and support, there are a number of translators available if English is not your first language.

Suffolk Constabulary provides support for victims of modern slavery and human trafficking Advice, advocacy and support services.

Ukraine: anti-slavery safeguarding

Protecting Ukrainian refugees from the risk of trafficking and being exploited on their arrival in the UK is a priority for councils and something we are focusing on in our discussions with the Government. We are also engaging on Ukraine specific risks with partners in the anti-trafficking sector whom we work with regularly on wider modern slavery risks and practice. Councils may wish to draw on various workers’ rights materials developed by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority; these include a checklist poster, know your rights poster and workers’ rights leaflet.

The anti-trafficking charity Hope for Justice have collated a suite of materials that will support organisations working with new arrivals from Ukraine. Councils may also find useful the resources signposted in our recent guidance on modern slavery and homelessness, as well as the resources on our modern slavery webpage.

What is Modern Slavery?

Modern Slavery is an umbrella term used when someone is coerced or forced to do something they don't want to do, and another person gains from this exploitation. Modern slavery includes slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. Victims of modern slavery are held against their will and are often unseen or unheard.

Victims of modern slavery can be of any age, gender, nationality, and ethnicity.

What is Human Trafficking?

Human Trafficking is a form of modern slavery, and is the movement of people by means such as force, fraud, coercion, abduction, or deception, with the aim of exploiting them.

For the purpose of exploitation, this includes:

• Slavery (where ownership is exercised over a person)
• Forced or compulsory labour (involves work or service extracted from any person under the threat of a penalty and for which the person has not offered themselves voluntarily)
• Prostitution
• Other sexual exploitation (forced to work in the sex industry. Child sexual exploitation is a type of sexual abuse)
• Servitude (involves the obligation to provide services imposed by coercion)
• Organ harvesting (removal of organs)

Victims of trafficking are traded for financial gain, either within their own countries or internationally. Trafficked people have little choice in what happens to them, and often suffer abuse due to violence and threats made against them of their families.

Human trafficking is a crime and British nationals as well as foreign nationals can be victims. It does not have to include crossing an international border or country border. Movement can be as little as from one street to another, or even just taking someone next door.

Types of exploitation that they may be forced into

• Factories and farm work
• Restaurants, in particular fast-food outlets
• Domestic service and hospitality
• Construction industry
• Hand car washes
• Nail bars
• Prostitution
• Drug running (County Lines)

How is Suffolk County Council tacking modern slavery?

Suffolk County Council recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking. In December 2018, it passed a motion to say that it would do all it can to help stamp out modern slavery.

The council is committed to preventing the occurrence of modern slavery, human trafficking and other human rights abuses in its supply chains, procurement activity, and key corporate policies.

Suffolk County Council's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2022-23 is made in accordance with s.54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Find out more

• The Unseen App shows how to recognise the signs of modern slavery and report it
• Suffolk Constabulary
• You can also find out more by contacting community.safety@suffolk.gov.uk