Put simply, modern slavery or human trafficking is the movement of a person from one place to another (this could be country to country, town to town, or even as simple as one room in a building to another) into conditions of exploitation, using deception, coercion, abuse of power or the abuse of the person’s vulnerability. Even if a victim consents and is willing to be moved, trafficking could still be taking place.
Ending their suffering requires us all to work together within our communities and across our partnerships, as we relentlessly tackle this crime. In the West Midlands there is a multi-agency Preventing Violence against Vulnerable People (PVVP) programme which supports the development of integrated practice across the West Midlands Metropolitan area. Its aims are simply to prevent and raise awareness of hidden crimes such as Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking; to safeguarding, protect and support vulnerable victims and importantly pursue and hold offenders to account for their behaviour.
Suspect someone is a victim of modern slavery? Call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or visit the File a report page online. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.
For more information see http://www.westmidlandsantislavery.org