What is Modern Slavery?

Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. There is no typical victim of slavery. Victims can be men, women or children of all ages and nationalities. The following definitions are encompassed within the term 'modern slavery' for the purposes of the Modern Slavery Act 2015:

  • 'slavery' is where ownership is exercised over a person
  • 'servitude' involves the obligation to provide services imposed by coercion
  • 'forced or compulsory labour' involves work or service extracted from any person under the menace of a penalty and for which the person has not offered themselves voluntarily
  • 'human trafficking' concerns arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploiting them. It is irrelevant whether the person consents to the travel.

How to respond

We have a Protocol and Guidance for Modern Slavery.

Further information

Salvation Army

Dorset Police