Modern Slavery
Modern slavery is the severe exploitation of other people for personal or commercial gain, it is all around us, but often just out of sight. Modern slavery can take many forms including:
- Sexual exploitation includes but is not limited to sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, forced prostitution and the abuse of children for the production of child abuse images/videos.
- Forced labour is when a person is coerced to work using violence or intimidation, or by more subtle means such as debt bondage. This form of modern slavery has been found in a number of different industries including manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality.
- Domestic servitude involves a victim being forced to work in usually private households, usually performing domestic chores and childcare duties. Their freedom may be restricted and they may work long hours often for little or no pay, often sleeping where they work.
- Criminal exploitation is the exploitation of a person to commit a crime, such as pick-pocketing, shop-lifting, cannabis cultivation, drug trafficking and other similar activities that are subject to penalties and imply financial gain for the trafficker.
It is estimated that there are at least 100,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK. Modern slavery is happening in Haringey and could even be happening on your own doorstep.
Spotting the signs
Someone in modern slavery might:
- Appear to be under the control of someone else and reluctant to interact with others
- Not have personal identification on them
- Have few personal belongings, wear the same clothes every day or wear unsuitable clothes for work
- Not be able to move around freely
- Be reluctant to talk to strangers or the authorities
- Appear frightened, withdrawn, or show signs of physical or psychological abuse
- Dropped off and collected for work always in the same way, especially at unusual times, ie very early or late at night
How to refer a potential victim
If you believe you might have identified a potential victim of modern slavery, get in touch via the following email address and your query will be forwarded to the relevant officer: PublicHealth@haringey.gov.uk
Alternatively, Special Points of Contact (SPOC) for modern slavery who can be contacted directly are emma.barton@haringey.gov.uk (Children’s Services), george.enninful@haringey.gov.uk (Adults, Health and Communities) or monika.zerbin@haringey.gov.uk (Housing related support and Rough Sleeping).
Other contact points include the following:
- Contact the Haringey Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to report a concern about a child (under 18): 020 8489 4470
- Out of hours contact: 020 8489 1000
- Contact the Haringey First Response Team to report a concern about an adult: 020 8489 1400 or email: firstresponseteam@haringey.gov.uk
- Modern slavery helpline: 08000 121 700
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the framework for identifying victims of human trafficking and modern slavery ensuring that they receive appropriate support. Referrals are made through an online form and only organisations who are first responder, such as Haringey Council, can complete and submit the form.
What is Haringey Council doing?
The Modern Slavery Plan (PDF, 1MB) is Haringey Council’s two-year strategy to prevent modern slavery and to identify and support its victims.
The plan has three key aims:
- To raise awareness and understanding of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation and develop the capacity of the community and professionals to identify signs and respond accordingly.
- To establish clear guidelines and pathways for referral into the NRM and develop a wider offer of support for victims.
- To work with partners, including the Police, Health and Voluntary Community Sector to enable greater success in detection, disruption, and prosecution.
Training webinar
Our training webinar is designed to help those living and working in Haringey identify the signs of modern slavery.
Practitioners handbook
The Modern Slavery Practitioners Handbook collates guidance on supporting and identifying victims of modern slavery for those working with potential victims. It draws on government legislation and guidance and third sector guidance to create a one stop shop on modern slavery.
Cost Benefit Analysis of Modern Slavery in Haringey
Modern slavery is a costly crime to the whole of society, and this cost benefit analysis provides an overview of the cost and the potential savings that we could make by increasing identification of potential victims and preventing modern slavery.