Modern day slavery is a problem that affects every country on Earth, almost 50 million people around the world are trapped in it (Anti-Slavery., 2026). It can be defined as when an individual loses their freedom and is exploited by others for gain. This can include human trafficking, debt bondage, forced prostitution and labour as well as many other things.
How to spot the signs of Modern Slavery
Whilst the different types of modern day slavery are wide and varied, there are common signs of it that can be applied generally.
- Poor living conditions
- They work and live at the same address
- They live in overcrowded, dirty or cramped accomodation
- Isolation
- They tend not to interact with other people
- They seem to not be familiar with their local neighbourhood
- They appear to be under the control of others
- They cannot travel on their own
- They have odd relationships such as large age gaps
- Reluctant to seek help
- They appear hesitant to talk to strangers
- They avoid eye contact
- They seem unsure who to trust or where to get help
- They are fearful of the police
- Physical appearance
- They wear the same clothes everyday or wear clothes that are unsuitable for their work
- They look unkempt or malnourished
- They have untreated injuries, or appear to be anxious, agitated or neglected.
- Restricted freedom of movement
- They have limited opportunities to move freely
- They don’t have travel documents such as passports or ID
- They have few personal possessions
- Unusual travel arrangements
- They are always dropped off and collected from work, particularly very early in the morning or very late at night.
- Children picked up or dropped off in private cars at unusual times or in places where it isn’t clear why they would be there.
(Unseen., 2026)
It’s important to note that none of these signs on their own can give you complete certainty that what you have witnessed is modern day slavery, but you do not need to be certain to report your concerns.
What to do if you are a victim of Modern Day Slavery
If you are a victim of Modern Day Slavery your safety is the most important thing and you should try to contact emergency services or other support services as soon as it is safe for you to do so. If you are unable to use a phone or the internet to seek help you may be to tell a safe professional such as a pharmacist or healthcare worker privately and ask for their help.
Save any evidence or information that you are able to if it is safe to do so. Remember that what has happened is not your fault and that you are entitled to support that safely removes you from the situation.
How to help someone you suspect is a victim of Modern Day Slavery
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, you should call 999. However you can also contact the police on 101 for non-emergencies. You can also contact one of the helplines below for their advice on your specific case.
Do not try to confront the exploiter yourself, this will likely only put yourself as well as the victim in much more danger. It also is likely to give them time to hide evidence and move the victim before the police can intervene.
Write down your observations as soon as possible so that you can accurately recall them. Important things to note might be exact locations, vehicle registration numbers, physical descriptions of the individuals involved and what clothes they were wearing as well as any times of note.
How might being a victim of Modern Day Slavery affect your mental health
Being a victim of Modern Day Slavery can have a big impact upon mental health, you may feel isolated, ashamed or as though you have lost your identity. It can lead to mental health conditions such as Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder which can cause you to have flashbacks, be hyper-vigilant and feel panicked. Depression and anxiety may also be experienced alongside difficulties with concentration or making decisions. These are all normal reactions to the extreme situation that you were placed in and don’t reflect badly upon you.
You may struggle with trusting people and therefore building new relationships. You may worry what people would think of you if they found out about what had happened. You could feel angry about what has happened, have trouble sleeping or doing other daily tasks. Life afterwards may feel overwhelming and hard to navigate. Everybody’s recovery is different and you may feel better or worse at times, healing is often not a straight line. If you are experiencing any of the above for prolonged periods you may find it helpful to talk about how you feel to someone you trust or a mental health professional. If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or ending your life, talk to someone immediately and access urgent support by ringing 999 or a mental health hotline.
How can I look after my mental health?
After escaping from slavery it may take your body and mind some time to process what has happened and you may feel disorientated and overwhelmed. Try to give yourself time to rest and don’t try to rush into anything. The most important thing is to ensure you are in a secure and safe place from which your basic needs can be met. It may be helpful to talk to someone you trust about what has happened, but it is also okay if you are not ready to do this yet. Sometimes just having company and someone that you know will listen to you is enough.
Try to look after your basic needs by eating and drinking regularly, getting enough sleep and doing some light exercise. Spend time outside, listen to music, read a book, play a game or do something with a friend. Doing this and establishing routines for yourself can help you to restore a sense of control of your own life.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with everything or are struggling with your mental health it is okay to ask for help. This could be from a friend, family member or a professional. Some people also find grounding techniques such as focusing on particular noises or sights around you to be helpful. Mindful practices such as meditation, journaling and yoga could also be beneficial.
You could also talk with other survivors as they will understand what you have been through or are going through. Rebuilding social ties can help you to feel less isolated. You can also access online resources which may help you to better understand what you are going through and what support is out there for you.
Remember that you are not to blame for what has happened. Exploiters use threats, manipulation and force to control people. Try to build a life and an identity for yourself outside of what has happened to you, this way you will find it easier to move on.
How to support someone who has been a victim of Modern Day Slavery
The most important thing to do initially for someone who has been a victim of slavery is to ensure that they have safe housing and are able to have all of their basic physical needs met. Check that they are not injured or in pain and that they aren’t in need of any medical attention.
Remember that whilst you may want to know what has happened, they may not be ready or willing to talk about this. The best thing you can do is let them know that you are willing to listen if they want to talk or you could ask them about how they are feeling. They may be overwhelmed with emotions and not know what to do now. You don’t need to have all the answers but try to support them if you can. Help them to make decisions by offering options, this will help them to feel more in control of their life again. Sometimes it can be helpful simply to know that someone is there and willing to listen to you.
It may be beneficial to help them with basic daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning or to help them remember and attend appointments. Encourage them to reconnect to their normal life by returning to old hobbies or routines. You could go for a walk, play a game or watch something together.
You may also be able to help them by reading and becoming more aware of the support available to victims of Modern Day Slavery. Finding out this information and passing it to them could be really beneficial as they may struggle to look for this themself. It could be related to their rights, legal advice, financial aid as well as more general or specific support. Being aware of how the individuals’ overlapping identities may affect them is also important. For example someone’s race, gender or ability may impact upon the way they recover or may mean they need more support in certain areas.
If they are struggling with ongoing mental health conditions such as anxiety and low mood or related issues such as difficulty sleeping or lack of appetite it may be worth encouraging them to speak to their GP or a mental health professional. If they are having life-ending thoughts or thoughts about hurting themself, do not dismiss this and support them to access urgent support. You can call 999 or 111 for someone experiencing a mental health crisis, they can send out a Mental Health Response Vehicle which will have specially trained paramedics onboard.
It is also important to look after yourself, hearing about what has happened or seeing the way that it has impacted upon somebody can be emotionally draining as well as demanding much of your time and energy. Remember that you do not have to do everything for them, it is okay to need to take a step back or have some space. Look after yourself and your own needs and talk to someone you trust if you need to.
Helplines
Unseen
Unseen offers a modern slavery and exploitation helpline. It is free, confidential and available in 200 languages. It is open 365 days a day 8am- 9pm. You can also report a concern online.
Phone: 08000 121 700
Website: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/
The Salvation Army
Provides specialist support for all survivors of modern slavery in England and Wales. They have a range of services including providing safehouses, legal advice, healthcare and financial support. Their helpline is always open.
Number: 0800 808 3733
Website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery/supporting-survivors
Victim Support
Victim Support is an independent charity providing free, confidential support for people affected by crime and traumatic incidents. They support people affected by issues including bullying, abuse, sexual violence, domestic abuse, hate crime and other crimes.
Phone: 0808 1689 111
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Live chat: Available 24 hours a day
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Samaritans
Samaritans is a charity providing emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope or needs someone to talk to. They are there for people experiencing all sorts of difficulties, including stress, anxiety, loneliness, relationship or family problems, bereavement, feeling overwhelmed and concerns about mental health or suicide.
Phone: 116 123
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: http://www.samaritans.org
References
Anti-Slavery, 2026,
Unseen., 2026
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