Modern slavery

Modern slavery is an umbrella term which encompasses all forms of slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation.

In all forms of modern slavery an exploiter uses means of control such as the threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, or an abuse of power or vulnerability to exploit another person for personal, financial, or commercial gain.

This exploitation may include sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, forced criminality, slavery, financial exploitation, or removal of organs.

People who are subjected to modern slavery can be children or adults, of any gender, from all backgrounds, countries, and communities.

There is no typical victim of modern slavery, some victims have been trafficked from overseas and some are British victims who have existing vulnerabilities. Everyone can be susceptible to the promises of well-paid work and good accommodation, which turns out to be a deception.

Vulnerable adults may experience multiple types of exploitation and may not disclose all forms of exploitation to professionals.

Examples of some forms of exploitation, but note there are many more not listed here: Select a heading to access more information and a factsheet/poster

• Possible general indicators of modern slavery – In 2024, Coventry City Council received 167 reports of adult exploitation.
• Forced cannabis cultivation - In 2024, cases of forced cannabis cultivation made up 13% of all criminal exploitation concerns for adults
• County lines or forced drug dealing – In 2024, cases of county lines or forced drug dealing made up 40% of all criminal exploitation concerns for adults
• Criminal exploitation – In 2024, cases of criminal exploitation made up 28% of all exploitation concerns for adults
• Cuckooing or home invasion – In 2024, cases of cuckooing or home invasion made up 28% of all criminal exploitation concerns for adults
• Domestic servitude – In 2024, cases of domestic servitude made up 4% of all exploitation concerns for adults
• Labour exploitation – In 2024, cases of labour exploitation made up 30% of all exploitation concerns for adults
• Forced organ removal – In 2023, a senior Nigerian politician, his wife, and a doctor were convicted of organ trafficking, in the first verdict of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act
• Sexual exploitation – In 2024, cases of sexual exploitation made up 22% of all exploitation concerns for adults