Modern Slavery & Exploitation - Wales Safer Communities

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What is Modern Slavery and Exploitation?

The Home Office has described modern slavery as “a serious and brutal crime in which people are treated as commodities and exploited for criminal gain”. The true extent of modern slavery in the UK, and indeed globally, is unknown.

Modern Slavery and Exploitation includes:

Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. It covers a wide range of abuse and exploitation including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting.

Victims of modern slavery can be any age, gender, nationality, or ethnicity. They are tricked or threatened into work and may feel unable to leave or report the crime through fear or intimidation. They may not recognise themselves as a victim.

The following are the Acts identified with Modern Slavery and Exploitation. In addition, there are the Human Rights and other Conventions and the Declaration of Istanbul.

Modern Slavery Act 2015
Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
Protection of Children’s Act 1978
Children’s Act 1998 and 2004
Serious Crime Act 2015
Sex Offenders Act 1997
Sexual Offences Act 2003
Trafficking People for Exploitation Regulations 2013
Human Tissue Act 2004
Medicine and Medical Devices Act 2021
Prevention of Crime Act 1953
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Asylum and Immigrations (Treatment of Claimants etc) Act 2004
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009
Protection of Freedom Act 2012
Criminal Finances Act 2017
Criminal Justice Act 1998
Crime and Disorder Act 1998
Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
Firearms Act 1968
Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Policing and Crime Act 2009
Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Digital Economy Act 2017

The following is the general training and awareness raising for Modern Slavery and Exploitation, specific training can be seen within each sub-topic.

Welsh Government: Modern slavery guidance for professionals

Social Care Wales: Safeguarding Awareness Training

Welsh Government: Introduction to Anti-Slavery Awareness Course; Anti-Slavery First Responder Course; and for those in the Police or CPS Modern Slavery and Organised Crime

Home Office: Modern Slavery training resource page

Home Office (YouTube): Modern Slavery is closer than you think

Useful Links

Wales Safeguarding Procedures

Visit the Website

Barnardo’s works with children and families offering early support to try to prevent Child Exploitation (including sexual) and may also be able to support children where an adult in the house is being exploited

Visit the Website

Unseen - charity working to stamp out modern slavery, running safe houses and the modern slavery helpline

Visit the Website

BAWSO

Visit the Website

Ukrainians Welcome - a "one-stop shop" of useful websites, helplines, and other information for Ukrainian refugees in the UK, aimed at keeping them safe from trafficking and helping them adjust to their new home.

Visit the Website

Help and Support

For victims, families and concerned people

Each sub-topic has specific information about help and support. The following are relevant for all types of Modern Slavery.

If you recognise any of the signs and suspect someone may be a victim of modern slavery, tell someone. To report a suspicion or seek advice contact the Modern Slavery Helpline 24/7 on 08000 121 700. It can also be reported online or by calling 101 at any time, or for those deaf or hard of hearing, use the textphone service 18001 101. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If there is a crime in action or immediate threat to life dial 999.

There is also support provided through the Adult Safeguarding arrangements which are based within each Local Authority across Wales, details available on the Directory.

Slavery Free – Modern Slavery Hub. The UK Modern Day Slavery Awareness Hub provides a range of information and links to charities offering support.