Modern Slavery

If you have been a victim of crime, don’t suffer in silence. Even if you do not want to report the crime to the police, think about telling a trusted friend or family member so they can help and support you. Nottinghamshire Victim CARE can also provide you with help and support even if you do not want to report the crime to the Police.

Victim CARE can provide:

• Emotional support to help you cope and recover from the crime
• Advocacy with other agencies and organisations
• Advice on crime prevention and provision of target hardening equipment (if required)
• Practical support and advice
• Restorative Justice
• Support applying to Criminal Injuries Compensation (CICA)

Call Nottinghamshire Victim CARE on 0800 304 7575.

If you want further advice or support, you can call the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially for free on 08000 121 700.

If you do want to report the crime to the police please see reporting a crime.

Modern slavery can affect people of any age, gender or race. It may take place in any city or town across the UK with victims often being found in restaurants, brothels, farms, hotels and car washes as well as people’s homes.

Modern slavery is the exploitation of vulnerable people and can take several forms including: sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, forced criminality and human trafficking.

Every victim reacts differently to their experience of modern slavery and exploitation – there is no right or wrong way to react.

You may have physical injuries, you may be very emotional, you may be frightened to say no, scared of saying the wrong thing, worried what might happen if you get help, anxious in your home or when out and about and struggling to sleep properly. You may be scared that you will be sent out of the country or punished by authorities.

The NHS Moodzone pages have a lot of tips on how to boost your emotional wellbeing which you can find here.

The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is a process designed to support victims of slavery and trafficking. If the victim is an adult it is their choice whether they want to be referred. After a referral is made, the victim is in a ‘rest and recovery’ period for 45 days – within which time they cannot be removed from the country. They can get additional support and help within this process, but this is usually dependent on cooperation with Police investigations.

More information on the process, and how to refer, can be found here on the government website – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/human-trafficking-victims-referral-and-assessment-forms/guidance-on-the-national-referral-mechanism-for-potential-adult-victims-of-modern-slavery-england-and-wales

Tackling Modern Slavery depends on information being reported from ordinary people – something you see that doesn’t seem right could be the only indication that someone is being enslaved.

If you think you see someone who might be a victim of slavery or trafficking, you can report it through the online form for the modern slavery helpline: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report

Or you can call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700

According to the Salvation Army, some of the common signs of Modern Slavery are:

• Maybe looking uneasy, unkempt, or malnourished.
• They may have untreated injuries.
• Someone paying for their travel
• Someone speaking for them
• Perhaps they are picked up and dropped off from work at unusual times
• They may not be sure of their own address
• Not having their own identification