Modern Day Slavery

Modern slavery exists in many forms in the UK. 

Sexual or criminal exploitation is usually linked to other forms of abuse or crime, this could be:

• Trafficking (moving a person from one location to another to exploit them)
• Domestic slavery or forced labour (like cannabis farming, construction work, shops, bars, nail bars, car washes or manufacturing)
• County lines
• Gangs
• Cuckooing (when your home is taken over by others and usually used for criminal activity such as selling drugs)

Child exploitation is when someone uses a child for financial gain, sexual gratification, criminal activity, labour or personal advantage.

The exploitation of children can take several different forms and perpetrators who exploit children will use different techniques to groom children, with the intention of eventually controlling the young person. Grooming can include giving the young person gifts, buying them drugs or alcohol, or offering them a relationship. This can make them feel special, loved and part of a community. They do not realise they are being used and are in danger.

Equally if they do realise they are being exploited, the threat of violence, exposure or harm to the young person, their friends or family can make it hard to escape the exploitive relationship.