Modern slavery

What is modern slavery?

Slavery is unfortunately not just a thing of the past. It’s a reality for almost 50 million people around the globe. Even though slavery is prohibited worldwide modern forms still exist.

Historical forms of slavery centred around the buying, selling and ownership of people. Modern slavery is more often about exploiting people, trapping and using them for some kind of service.

Modern slavery is an umbrella term which encompasses human trafficking and slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

Types of modern slavery:

  • labour exploitation
  • sexual exploitation
  • criminal exploitation
  • domestic servitude
  • forced marriage
  • debt bondage
  • organ harvesting

Who is at risk of modern slavery

It is often the vulnerable who are at most risk of modern slavery:

  • homeless
  • those with debts
  • asylum seekers
  • those struggling with substance misuse
  • those with learning difficulties
  • children in care

How to spot the signs of modern slavery:

  • a person living at the workplace with their employer
  • someone being housed with multiple people in a cramped living space
  • a person with no travel documents or ID
  • signs of physical, sexual or psychological abuse
  • unusual travel arrangements – for instance taken to and from workplace with a group of people
  • third party insists on being present during interactions

How to report your concerns

  • Modern Slavery helpline 0800 012 1700  www.modernslaveryhelpline.org
  • Merseyside Police 101 (always dial 999 if someone is at risk of serious harm)
  • Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
  • Wirral Adult Safeguarding – central advice and duty team 0151 606 2006  cadt@wirral.gov.uk
  • Children and young person safeguarding – Wirral integrated front door 0151 606 2008 ifd@wirral.gov.uk

Ethical Consumer Advice

The National Crime Agency is urging people to think twice about the businesses they use and where they spend their money through their Ethical Consumer campaign.

Wirral’s commitment to eradicate slavery

The council is committed to opposing modern slavery and recognises the role it can play as a public sector organisation, and with our partners, in its identification and disruption. 

The council is fully committed to using all avenues open to us to tackle modern slavery by using our statutory powers, role as a public procurer and through utilising the strengths of all our partnerships through wider awareness-raising.

Read Wirral Council's Modern Slavery statement