Modern slavery is the exploitation of other people for personal or commercial gain. Modern slavery is all around us, but often just out of sight. People can become entrapped making our clothes, serving our food, picking our crops, working in factories, or working in houses as cooks, cleaners or nannies.
From the outside, it can look like a normal job. But people are being controlled – they can face violence or threats, be forced into inescapable debt, or have had their passport taken away and are being threatened with deportation.
Many have fallen into this oppressive trap simply because they were trying to escape poverty or insecurity, improve their lives and support their families.
Modern slavery is made up of slavery, domestic servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking. It can also involve vulnerable victims having their homes taken over – known as cuckooing.
As well as the devastation to victims, this also impacts on landlords, like us – cuckooing, illegal sub-letting, criminals renting properties to rent them out again or for housing their victims.
And some forms of modern slavery may involve activities such as cannabis cultivation – which can cause significant property damage.
Anyone can become a victim of modern slavery.
Potential victims may be reluctant to come forward or may not even recognise themselves as victims.
