Communities and safety

How to spot and report modern slavery

Find out about the types of modern slavery and how to report it.

What is modern slavery?

A victim of modern slavery loses their freedom and has aspects of their life controlled by others. There are many different forms of modern slavery including:

  • Forced labour
  • Criminal exploitation
  • Sexual exploitation, including child sexual exploitation
  • Domestic servitude
  • Cuckooing - when a person takes over another person's house for illegal or immoral activity
  • Forced early marriage
  • Organ harvesting
  • Human trafficking

You may see modern slavery in:

  • the care sector
  • beauty salons
  • car washes
  • in the construction, agriculture or hospitality industries.

View examples of modern slavery (GOV.UK)

How do I spot modern slavery?

A person may be a victim of modern slavery if they:

  • appear to be dependent on others 
  • don’t know their home or work address
  • fear or lack trust in authorities
  • often go missing
  • have few or no documents, or no passport
  • are paid little or nothing
  • live in crowded accommodation
  • get picked up or dropped off by another person at strange times
  • have poor health, look badly fed or have untreated dental conditions
  • display signs of physical abuse or have untreated cuts, bruises, or wounds
  • are withdrawn, fearful or anxious 

How do I report modern slavery?

I am a member of the public

You do not need to be sure that modern slavery is taking place to report it. Please choose one of the options below:

  • Call the police on 101 
  • Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 
  • If someone is in immediate danger, call 999
  • If you see something suspicious, call the 24/7 modern slavery helpline on 0800 0121 700. Or submit an online report at modernslaveryhelpline.org/report  

I am a first responder

Check you work for a first responder organisation. Then refer survivors via the National Referral Mechanism (GOV.UK).

What is the council doing to tackle modern slavery?

We have a group that works across all council services to spot and prevent modern slavery.

We are updating a statement to reaffirm our commitment to a slavery-free supply chain. We also:

  • train staff on modern slavery
  • fund organisations that support residents vulnerable to exploitation
  • tackle landlords whose use properties are used for crime, sexual exploitation or human trafficking
  • are members of the Merseyside Modern Slavery Network

For more information, please email: cohesionteam@liverpool.gov.uk. 

What action can you take?

You can help in the following ways.

  • Learn to spot the signs of modern slavery and how to report it.  
  • Buy products from Fairtrade brands that are slavery free. 
  • Read articles, and watch or listen to broadcasts about modern slavery.

Myths about modern slavery

TRUTH: Modern slavery affects people from all countries. In 2023, the top three places that modern slavery referrals came from were:

  • UK (4,299)
  • Albania (4,052)
  • Vietnam (991)

TRUTH: Victims of modern slavery are not usually in chains or restraints. They are instead kept fearful by physical and mental abuse, threats, lies and coercion. They often appear to be allowed to roam freely - this is referred to as 'hidden in plain sight'. 

TRUTH: Many obstacles can prevent a victim from asking for help. They may often say they’re alright when questioned. They may not be able to ask for help because:

  • English is not their first language
  • they do not know help is available
  • they do not see themselves as a victim
  • they fear for their life or the lives of their family
  • they fear being expelled from the country
  • someone is using their faith or belief to manipulate them
  • they have misplaced loyalty to their exploiter
  • they fear institutions like the police

Young people, or people with learning disabilities, mental illness or addiction issues are also particularly vulnerable.

TRUTH: Trafficking does not have to occur across borders. It can occur in one country. For example, being trafficked from county to county across the UK.

TRUTH: People are often exploited and controlled by those close to them. This is  particularly true for children. ‘Boyfriends’ often groom women and children and sexually exploit them. Family members may collude too.

TRUTH: Some people will tolerate their situation because they think it is a ‘stepping stone’ to a better future. They may see their current situation as better than their previous one. This doesn’t mean they are not a victim of modern slavery.