Modern Slavery
Modern slavery is a serious crime that violates human rights. Victims are forced, threatened or deceived into situations of subjugation, degradation and control which undermine their personal identity and sense of self.
Types of Modern Slavery include:
- 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 of modern slavery 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- Appearing to be malnourished, unkempt or withdrawn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
National Referral Mechanism
HM Government have set up a National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which is a framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support.
Further details can be found by following the link below
HM Government Modern Slavery National Referral Mechanism
Local Services
Independent Modern Slavery Advocate program at Victim Support
The IMSA (Independent Modern Slavery Advocate) program at Victim Support, West Mercia provides support to survivors of exploitation and works to increase awareness about modern day slavery and support options across West Mercia.
IMSA’s work alongside the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) by providing short term interim support to anyone that consents to the referral and is accepted with a positive grounds decision. And those who don’t consent to an NRM referral, or do consent but receives a negative grounds decision.
We work with adults, men and women, pre-NRM, and we are one of the few organisations who work with survivors who are in custody. A person must consent to support by the IMSA
Though Victim Support is not a First Responder organisation the IMSA can assist officers or other organisations by gathering information from victims and can assist and support officers with the NRM referral process.
The IMSA program also works with partner organisations across West Mercia to raise awareness about modern-day slavery, best practice to support survivors, to identify people who may be at risk, and to work collaboratively to combat the root causes of all types of exploitation.
For further information contact Claire Kendall on
Tel: 07562687630
Email: Claire.Kendall@victimsupport.org.uk
Referrals for support can be emailed to mdswestmercia@victimsupport.cjsm.net