Modern slavery: have you seen her?
December 2, 2024
Image from Exposure’s modern slavery film, Products
Renee Kapuku reveals slavery is alive and closer to home than you think
How would it feel to be trapped?
Imagine being torn from the comforts of your home, your family, your friends, and forced to work in a situation where all your freedom is stripped away.
The Slavery Abolition Act was passed almost 200 years ago, yet slavery is still a reality today in the form of human trafficking, affecting many people.
Human trafficking is a serious crime that involves the illegal movement of people for exploitation. Victims are trafficked for various purposes, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, domestic servitude, and child trafficking. It’s a severe violation of human rights, affecting millions of people worldwide.
Cristina was 16 when she came to England from Romania. She was promised a job as a babysitter but was unaware of the dangers ahead. Upon arriving in Birmingham, she was exploited into a much darker reality, forced to provide sinister favours to men at a local spa.
Fortunately, the police found Cristina, and she was able to testify against the criminals who had abused her. However, her case is one of the fortunate few. The majority of human trafficking victims around the world never have the opportunity to escape or seek justice.
More than 50 million people worldwide, are living in modern slavery
Human trafficking is one of the largest and fastest-growing criminal industries, worth an estimated $150 billion annually. According to a report by The Centre for Social Justice, in the UK alone, 17,000 adults and children were identified as potential victims of modern slavery in 2022. This is a 33% increase from the previous year and five times the number recorded in 2015. Despite these figures, the true scale of these crimes remains unknown.
The International Labour Organisation found that more than 50 million people worldwide, are living in modern slavery, including 27.6 million in forced labour. Children account for 22% of these victims.
The harsh reality of human trafficking is that it’s difficult to detect. Victims can be trafficked from various parts of the world, including the UK itself. Some are taken abroad, while others are held captive in different parts of the country, hidden in plain sight.
Victims of modern slavery are treated as faceless products, exploited, controlled, and stripped of their identity. They’re seen as nothing more than commodities to be bought, sold, and discarded, with their humanity erased in the process.
Offenders are often part of large international networks, making it difficult to identify and convict
The ever-changing nature of the trafficking and the failure to recognise the signs of exploitation complicate efforts to address this crime. Offenders are often part of large international networks, making it difficult to identify and convict.
Constant fear grips those trapped in modern slavery, as abusers threaten violence, sexual abuse, or harm to their families. Many victims remain unaware of their exploitation, as traffickers are masters of manipulation, slowly building trust and making the abuse more difficult to recognise.
So, how can we make a difference? One way is by educating ourselves about human trafficking and spreading the word. You can also support organisations that are fighting against it by donating. Let’s join the movement and put an end to modern-day slavery for good.
- Stop the Traffik: a global campaign working to prevent human trafficking through awareness and action. Check here for more info.
If you or someone you know is a victim or at risk, contact the following organisations for help and advice:
- Modern Slavery Helpline (UK): Call 08000 121 700 for confidential advice and support
- Hope for Justice: A UK-based organisation that works to end modern slavery. Check their website or call 0300 008 8001 for assistance
- Unseen UK: Provides support for victims and campaigns against modern slavery. Check here for more information
Exposures’ youth-led film, Products is an exploration of modern slavery designed to raise awareness and inspire action. Watch now ⇊
