Introduction

Did you know that in 2023 there were 153 potential victims of modern slavery that were referred to Devon and Cornwall Police?  I certainly didn’t until earlier this year when I trained to become a Volunteer First Responder for modern slavery and human trafficking with the Salvation Army. Given that the 18th of October is Modern Slavery Awareness Day, I thought I would take the opportunity to share with you my experience of volunteering in this area as well as information about modern slavery, how big a problem it is in the UK and what to do if you think it might be happening to someone near you.
 
What inspired me to take on this role, was my experience of being a volunteer with The Pickwell Foundation at the Dilkhusa Hotel in Ilfracombe, where I supported a number of asylum seeker guests at the hotel.  During this time, I came across 3 cases of modern slavery which led to my co-worker, Teresa Tinsley and I talking to the Salvation Army about potential referrals to the governments ‘National Referral Mechanism’ (NRM).  

The NRM is the system whereby the government identifies potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. If their case is accepted into the system the potential victim first receives what is called a ‘Reasonable Ground Decision’ and can get help and support to rebuild their lives for a given period.  During this time of support, the government undertakes further investigations and if the potential victim receives a ‘Conclusive Grounds Decision’ then that support can continue for a further period of time. Support can include, being moved to a safe house, therapy to help the victim overcome the trauma they have suffered, medical help, financial and legal support as well as protection from potential re-exploitation.  In essence, it’s a chance for victims to start the process of healing and rebuilding their lives.
The incident of modern slavery or human trafficking does not have to have happened in the UK for the potential victim to gain access to the NRM. If they are an asylum seeker or refugee, the exploitation can have happened on their journey to the UK.  

Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery and People Smuggling

People often confuse these three terms and so here are some definitions:
• Human trafficking is; the recruitment, movement, receipt or harbouring of people (both domestically and internationally) by means such as threat, force, fraud, coercion, abduction or deception, with the intention of exploiting them
• Modern slavery is; the condition of being forced by threats, violence or coercion to work for little or no pay, and of having no power to control what work you do or where you do it. It includes: sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, domestic servitude, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting
• People smuggling is; the procurement, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit, through the illegal entry of a person into a state of which the person is not a national.

How big a problem in the UK?

It is estimated that there are over 122,000 people in the UK trapped in modern slavery and globally over 49.6 million, with the numbers increasing both nationally and globally year on year. In 2023, the NRM received 17,004 referrals of potential victims, plus a further 4,000 more cases where the potential victim did not consent to go through the official process.
 
It’s not just adults that become victims of modern slavery; last year 44% of all referrals in the UK were children. Women and girls make up 54% of all victims worldwide, and are 78% of victims of forced commercial sexual exploitation. Within the UK, the figure is slightly different with 76% of referred potential victim’s male and 24% female.
Just in case you are thinking most exploitation either happens overseas or is of foreign nationals in the UK, let me disabuse of that thought. In the UK, the top 3 nationalities that gained entry to the NRM in 2023 were British, (25%), Albanian (24%) and Vietnamese (6%) and overall, 49% of victims claimed that they were exploited in the UK.

Examples of Modern Slavery

Forced Labour – people working for little or no money in; agricultural work, nail bars, car washes, food processing plants, fast food restaurants, hotels, the care sector, (702 cases were found in the UK care sector in 2022) domestic work, construction, mining, quarrying and brick kilns, manufacturing, processing and packaging, sea fishing, entertainment, drug mills, marijuana farms and prostitution.

Child Labour – in particular ‘County Lines’ drug running, but also includes prostitution, forced theft like pickpocketing, begging, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude.

My Volunteering Experience

My role as a volunteer first responder involves interviewing potential victims and then presenting their case to the authorities via an online submission and following up on any potential questions the authorities might have. If the potential victim is accepted into the NRM, they are allocated a case worker to manage their ongoing support.  In 2023 the Salvation Army supported 10,070 victims many of whom are in ‘safe houses’ with others getting outreach support in their own homes, if they are safe there.
 
During my time as a volunteer, all the people I have spoken to, are men. I have heard stories of people who have been forced to work in the UK for 70 hours plus without a break for over a 2 year period and only fed on rice and potatoes for that time.  I have spoken to people who have had to flee war torn countries like Syria and Afghanistan and been exploited as agricultural labourers, factory workers and on fishing boats and at construction sites. Most have their identify and travel documents taken off of them, along with their mobile ‘phones and are severely punished if they try to escape and leave.
 
I have had people tell me how they have had to leave their home countries because of mafia gangs and military groups who for one reason or another want them dead and have been tricked into a situation of slavery by people smugglers who offered to help them escape.  It is not uncommon for these gangs to have ‘branches’ in the UK and for the victim to eventually get to what they perceive as safety in the UK, only to be picked up by the gang and forced to work in appalling conditions. The is usually to pay off perceived debts or because of threats to the life of family members and friends back in their home country.  I have heard stories about how people have been promised good jobs in the UK, only to find themselves being forced into marijuana farming and ultimately arrested by the police.
 
The punishments meted out on victims who try to escape are truly horrific and doesn’t just include beatings and the use of weapons like guns, and knives; I have been told stories of men being raped in front of other modern slavery victims, to show what happens if you try to leave.  Punishments can also include death threats made against family members both overseas and in the UK and in one case a UK victim’s family home was ‘torched’ as a way of keeping him in line.
 
Many victims are too terrified to go to the police, fearing what the gangs will do if they find out. Or if they are from overseas, believing the police and authorities in the UK to be as corrupt as they might be in their home country.

Things you can do

You can take the opportunity of Modern Slavery Day on the 18th October 24 to learn to spot the signs of Modern Slavery and how to report it.  Signs include:
• Workers who appear fearful, anxious, or submissive.
• Workers who are inadequately dressed for the weather conditions or lack appropriate protective gear
• Evidence of physical abuse, such as unexplained injuries or bruises.
• Living with their employer
• Poor living conditions
• Multiple people in cramped space
• Inability to speak to the individual alone
• Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
• Employer is holding identity documents
 
If you suspect you have seen an example of modern slavery then please don’t ignore it but report it to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or the police on 101, if you consider it to be an emergency then don’t hesitate and call 999. Whatever you do please don’t leave it to someone else. You might be that victims only chance of freedom.
 
You might also consider volunteering. There are a number of roles offered by The Salvation Army and other first responder organisations. These range from becoming a first responder like I have done, through to offering to transport people to safe houses or becoming a mentor to people who have entered the NRM process.  You can find details in the links below.
 
Modern slavery is a scourge on society, even in lovely Devon, but one that by keeping our eyes open and not being afraid to report, we can all do our bit to bring to an end.
 
Ian Gee
5th October 2024
 

Useful links

The Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery
 
The Salvation Army 2023 Annual Modern Slavery report: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery/modern-slavery-latest-reports
 
Unseen UK A modern slavery charity who run the Modern Slavery Helpline https://www.unseenuk.org
 
Modern Slavery in the Care Sector
https://www.unseenuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/unseen-Care-Sector-report-2023.pdf
 
Home Office 2023 Annual Report into Modern Slavery: https://shorturl.at/g5iJ7