Essex Police yesterday launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Called #BeAVoice, it aims to highlight some of the signs that people need to be aware of and how to report these crimes. Victims could be living or working nearby – often hidden and suffering behind closed doors.
Modern slavery includes people who are forced to work against their will or controlled by a so-called `employer’ who uses mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse. Alongside forced labour, modern day slavery also includes crimes such as sexual exploitation.
Slavery is an international crime that affects almost 30 million people worldwide.
Modern slavery is about power, dominance and control over vulnerable victims who are too scared or unable to seek help. Victims commonly do not have control of their money and owe large amounts to the abuser for housing, travel and food, so feel they have no means of escaping the exploitation.
