What modern slavery and human trafficking is and how to get help.
Modern slavery is when someone is coerced, deceived or forced into the control of others. These other people then profit from the exploitation and suffering of their victim. Children and adults can be victims of modern slavery.
This exploitation includes:
Since the passing of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, crimes related to human trafficking are now considered modern slavery.
Trafficking is when someone transports someone else for the purposes of exploitation.
This includes transport:
As a local authority, under Section 52 of the Modern Slavery Act (2015) we are a 'first responder' agency. This means we have a duty to notify the Home Office if we think someone is a victim of slavery or human trafficking.
We refer all victims - children and adults (who have given consent) - to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). If an adult does not consent to entering the NRM, we make an anonymised notification to the Home Office instead.
We chair the Brighton & Hove Anti-Slavery Network, and we're a part of the Sussex Anti-Slavery Network. We committed to the Anti-Slavery Pledge in October 2020.
Our children’s and adult services have structures to support potential victims who are children or vulnerable adults.
We also provide processes and training to make sure all our services have an awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking. In particular services like Licensing, who may come into contact with potential victims.
If you're concerned about a child's safegarding:
I you're concerned about an adult's safeguarding, send an email to HASCSafeguardingHub@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
Phone 999 in an emergency.
For information, advice and guidance related to modern slavery and human trafficking in Brighton & Hove, send an email to ModernSlavery@brighton-hove.gov.uk.