What is Modern Slavery?
The Problem
40MN
0.2%
People in Modern Slavery
Of people are helped
1 OF 4
16MN
Victims are children
Victims are in supply chains
The top 5 products at risk of modern slavery imported into the G20 are electronics, garments, fish, cotton, and sugarcane.
In 2018, the 10 countries with the highest rates were North Korea, Eritrea, Burundi, The Central African Republic, Afghanistan, Mauritania, South Sudan, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Iran. However, due to the covert nature of modern slavery, estimates may vary, and it is suggested that there are high rates of uncovered slavery in the Arab Gulf region.
Modern Slavery Defined
Modern slavery is defined by the UK government as: “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.” Exploitation includes, but is not limited to, sexual exploitation, forced or bonded labour, forced criminality, domestic servitude and the removal of organs.
Common Types
The Goal
Ending modern slavery is on the global agenda. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Target 8.7 is to: “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.”
Resources
International Standards
Here is a list of key documents that will guide our work in accordance with the international standards, guidelines, and principles. These documents will not only guide our work that aims to end modern slavery, globally but also act as a guiding light for global uniformity to uphold the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all people around the world. All the documents mentioned below can be downloaded from this page, however, each of them is available in the public domain.
Modern Slavery Helpline Directory
Modern slavery helplines play a pivotal role in understanding and handling the risks of modern slavery because they can gather information from those who are seeing and experiencing exploitation first-hand. No matter where you are, if you know or think a person has been trafficked or forced to work against their will, there are helplines you can turn to for help. Here is a list of the organisations working to end modern slavery and human trafficking in countries all around the world with their hotlines that you can call for assistance. (The managing authorities for these helpline numbers are written inside the brackets). Please note: Phone numbers are subject to change. If any of the given numbers and hotlines do not work, we recommend you to contact the relevant local authorities for assistance.
(The managing authorities for these helpline numbers are written inside the brackets).
Please note: Phone numbers are subject to change. If any of the given numbers and hotlines do not work, we recommend you to contact the relevant local authorities for assistance