Modern slavery

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Download a copy of Sefton's Modern Slavery Statement ext

What is Modern Slavery?

Modern slavery is the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of exploitation.

Individuals may be trafficked into, out of or within the UK, and they may be trafficked for a number of reasons including sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and organ harvesting.

It is estimated that there are 13,000 victims and survivors of modern slavery in the UK.

How to spot the signs of Modern Slavery

A person living at the workplace with the employer
Someone being housed with multiple people in a cramped living space
A person who has no identification or travel documents
Signs of physical abuse and/or psychological effects
A third party insists on being present or interpreting any conversations

How to report your concerns

You can contact Sefton Council's Safeguarding team via 0345 140 0845 or Merseyside Police on 101 if you or somebody you know is a victim of modern slavery. In an emergency always call 999.

To report a crime anonymously please call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

For more information on Modern Slavery and spotting the signs click here.

Download the latest update on Sefton Council's work to combat Modern Slavery.

Ethical Consumer Advice

The National Crime Agency is urging people to think twice about the businesses they use and where they spend their money through their Ethical Consumer Campaign.

You can find out more here.

Sefton’s Commitment to Eradicate Slavery

On 25th April 2019, a Council motion was passed for the Council to commit to helping eradicate slavery and labour exploitation and a number of principles were agreed.

“This Council commits to helping eradicate slavery and labour exploitation. As an organisation who believes and promotes ethical working standards, we will endeavour to ensure that all Council policies, procedures and practices are fully compliant with relevant slavery and labour standards legislation. We will actively seek to only use suppliers who uphold these principles. We will promote our charter by raising awareness, educating and supporting both within our organisation and those we come into contact with.”

In September 2020, the Home Office introduced new measures to tackle modern slavery in supply chains which will hold businesses and public bodies accountable for tackling modern slavery. This updated guidance, explains how businesses should comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and requires all large businesses to produce an annual statement for each financial year setting out the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their business and supply chains.

Download our Modern Slavery Statement to learn more.