How to spot modern slavery, and how to fight it
Modern slavery is a scourge that traumatises and dehumanises its victims. This Anti-Slavery Day I have pledged my commitment to fight back and reduce the opportunities for Modern Slavery to flourish across Lancashire. Tonight Blackpool Tower will light up red in support of this campaign.
Home Office figures show that Lancashire Constabulary was responsible for investigating 152 cases of modern slavery last year, including 67 children. But police chiefs acknowledge that these figures are unlikely to illustrate the full scale of the problem.
Largely, it’s a hidden crime but estimates suggest 50 million people globally and over 100,000 people across the UK are being held in some form of slavery. And that for every slavery survivor able to receive support in the UK, at least 13 more remain trapped here in exploitation.
Modern Slavery can take many forms and can be hard to spot. It can including sexual exploitation, forced criminality, domestic servitude and forced labour.
It’s often coordinated by Organised Crime Groups who generate wealth at the expense of those who are being exploited. This crime treats its victims as commodities to be bought, sold or deceived into a life of hardship and misery.
Anyone could come into contact with a victim of modern slavery without even realising but there are some tell-tale signs the public can look out for:
Someone looks frightened, unkempt, malnourished or has untreated injuries.
Someone else is paying for their travel, speaking for them, picking up and dropping them off from work at unusual times or they may not be sure of their own address.
Trust your instincts and if something doesn’t look or feel right then raise the alarm if you feel safe to do so.
You can join me in the fight back and reduce the opportunities for Modern Slavery to flourish by signing the Pan Lancashire Anti Slavery Partnership (PLASP) #PLEDGE. It includes a list of simple actions that businesses or groups, both large and small, could do to help raise awareness of Modern Slavery and to help to prevent it. Having recently established my constituency office, I have signed the pledge to ensure that my staff have a greater awareness of how to spot modern slavery.
PLASP can supply links to many free high-quality resources, including posters, training products and advice.
Follow the link to sign the #PLEDGE: https://forms.office.com/e/kEhZwuU9V2.
The Salvation Army has a 24/7 confidential referral advice line on 0800 808 3733 for anyone who suspects that they or someone they have come across might be a victim of modern slavery. If someone is in immediate danger call 999.
