RCGP Safeguarding toolkit

Modern slavery

This includes:

• human trafficking
• forced labour
• domestic servitude
• sexual exploitation, such as escort work, prostitution and pornography
• debt bondage – being forced to work to pay off debts that realistically they never will be able to.

Signs and indicators include:

• signs of physical or emotional abuse
• appearing to be malnourished, unkempt or withdrawn
• isolation from the community, seeming under the control or influence of others
• living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation and or living and working at the same address
• lack of personal effects or identification documents
• always wearing the same clothes
• avoidance of eye contact, appearing frightened or hesitant to talk to strangers
• fear of law enforcers.

The Helen Bamber Foundation have developed this ‘Quick Guide to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking’ which outlines what modern slavery and human trafficking is, how to identify those who might be victims and how to respond.