It wasn’t alright then. It isn’t alright now.
Modern slavery traps more people today than in the entire 400 years of the transatlantic slave trade.
It’s the third largest source of income for organised crime.
It's growing even faster than illegal arms and drugs and could be on your doorstep.
What would you do?
No money. No passport. No home. Your family could be threatened with harm or even death if you attempt to leave.
What can you do to stop it?
Open your eyes. Know the signs. Even if you're unsure - call.
You won’t know unless you look
Human trafficking isn’t just something you hear about. It’s very real. It's happening all over the world. It could be happening near you, right now. You just need to open your eyes and know the signs. See something suspicious? One anonymous call to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (UK number, international numbers listed online and in phone books) could be all it takes to help save lives and stamp it out. Together we can crack it.
It’s organised crime on a massive scale. It’s worldwide and generates income equal to many of the world’s largest corporations. In fact, there are reports that some trafficking groups are switching their cargo from drugs to human beings in search of high profits at lower risks. It’s a global problem that’s right here on your doorstep.
Victims are coerced, exploited, kidnapped, held captive and often raped. It happens to children too. Try to imagine being promised a good job abroad. You’re taken thousands of miles away from home to a strange country. The job doesn’t exist. Your passport is taken from you. You’re intimidated, petrified, penniless and trapped in a vicious cycle of debt. And you’ve no idea what your rights are.
Put a stop to modern day slavery
You could be sold on to become forced labour on a farm, in a cannabis factory or as a domestic slave. If you’re a teenage girl, you could be tricked into forced prostitution and made to have sex with 40 strangers a day. You’re held against your will, physically and emotionally. Try to escape and you, or worse, your entire family face the threat of violent retribution, even death. The psychological torture is immense.
The thing is, we’re not just talking about immigrants. Human trafficking knows no borders. Victims can also be coerced or kidnapped from one part of the country to the other.
It could be happening on your street. Innocent looking suburban homes are easily converted into cannabis factories or brothels. Farms and factories could be involved in this exploitation. But the signs are there. You just need to know what to look for. If we all open our eyes, we can stop human trafficking. Get behind the Blue Blindfold campaign – the international fight against human trafficking.
