The Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline

In an increasingly complex and volatile political and economic environment, the independent role of the Helpline remains crucial.

Across the UK in this grant period the Helpline has identified thousands of Modern Slavery cases. 

The Helpline team has also produced over 50 bespoke data reports that identify key exploitation trends and inform key changemakers on sectors and locations at risk. The most significant of these reports include the 2024 Annual Assessment released in April, the Service not Servitude report outlining risk in the Hospitality sector released in August and The Economic Cost of Modern Slavery: Policing released in October, which used Helpline data to identify gaps in policing provision.

These reports have been widely shared and reflect the Helpline’s key role as vital infrastructure in the UK’s fight against modern slavery.

Spotlight: Exploitation in the hospitality sector.

According to Service not servitude: modern slavery in the hospitality sector, 485 potential victims were indicated in food and drink establishments, and 85 in holiday accommodation over the above period.

Survivors were often burdened with debts averaging £18,000 from illegal visa fees. The most common methods of control included financial coercion, tied accommodation and emotional abuse. 

Unseen says the findings point to a growing problem linked to skilled worker visas. Reports of potential victims in the hospitality sector on these visas rose by 7,400% between 2023 and 2024 (from one to 75*). 

You can read more about this here: https://www.unseenuk.org/modern-slavery-in-hospitality-sector-exposed-in-new-report/

Helpline is a lifeline for vulnerable people who are experiencing exploitation and human rights abuses. Our Helpline Advisors empower individuals to escape exploitation by building trust with potential victims, informing them of their rights, and the support options available to them. The data and intelligence collected from contacts are also key to the UK’s prevention strategy against slavery and exploitation.

The complexity of the calls and contacts we receive on the Helpline increases each year. With increasing vulnerabilities and risks emanating from the challenging economic environment, the number of individuals requiring some form of guidance and support continues to climb. Often, those seeking help have nowhere else to turn and present to the Helpline with complex and multifaceted needs.

Spotlight: recruitment and control tactics: 

Across all cases, where recruitment tactics were reported, the most common continues to be through job offers and advertisements, which is the most reported tactic amongst both labour exploitation and domestic servitude potential victims. False promises or statements are the second most common forms of recruitment overall, whilst being the most common tactic amongst potential victims of sexual exploitation. Abduction was the third most common, featuring most prominently in labour and criminal exploitation. Interestingly, smuggling and ransom has almost doubled, moving up from sixth to fourth most reported. This is predominantly seen in those in labour exploitation.

Recruitment tactics differ concerning child victims. Where recruitment tactics were recorded, the most common was through a familial relationship. This was closely followed by abduction; false promises or statements; grooming; and coercion.

Once recruited into exploitation, the most common control method was confinement or restricted movement, reported in relation to almost half of potential victims where control methods were known. This was the most common control method reported in criminal exploitation. Concerning child victims, where control methods were known confinement and restricted movement was also the most reported control method.

In 2024, financial control overtook tied accommodation which dropped from 50% the year before, likely coinciding with the reduction in care sector cases where potential victims commonly live on-site or in accommodation arranged by their employers. Financial control was the most prevalent control method in labour and financial exploitation. Financial control was also prevalent amongst minor potential victims. Sexual abuse as a control method was reported disproportionately with minors compared with all potential victims. Amongst child victims this was the second most recorded control method. Emotional abuse and physical abuse also featured in the top five most reported control methods amongst minors.

This knowledge helps us work with organisations and communities to stop modern slavery and exploitation. The knowledge of the data above, is only possible thanks to the support we receive from donors.

CASE STUDY: SAMI’S STORY

Sami’s* story Sami was sponsored to come to the UK on a skilled worker visa and work in a restaurant. On arrival, the reality of the job was quite different to what had been agreed in his employment contract.

Sami was monitored heavily via CCTV and was verbally abused frequently by his employer. Sami was paid a fraction of the salary he was supposed to receive, earning less than £150 per week. Out of this meagre wage, he had to return half to his employer as rent for his accommodation. The ‘accommodation’ consisted of a sofa in the restaurant. Sami’s employer also made further deductions to his pay, stating these were for tax purposes. Sami was left with very little money to survive on and wanted to leave the situation to find different employment. His employer demanded that Sami pay thousands of pounds in exit fees to leave his contract and threatened to have him killed if he returned to his home country.

Sami fled the situation but did not have any money for accommodation and was fearful that he would be deported and that his life would be at risk when arriving back in his home country. Sami reached out to a solicitor who put him in touch with the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline.

Following several calls with the Helpline, Sami presented at a police station and successfully advocated for himself to receive support as a destitute survivor of modern slavery. He was entered into the National Referral Mechanism and provided with safe accommodation.