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18/10/2023
NI Public Urged To Be Vigilant To Signs Of Slavery And Trafficking
Marking anti-slavery day, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has called on the public across Northern Ireland to be vigilant for signs of slavery and trafficking.
The DoJ said that modern slavery and trafficking involves the exploitation of vulnerable people to make money for criminal gangs and individuals. It destroys the lives of millions to create illicit livelihoods for a few.
This action involves a range of criminal activity including labour, criminal or sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. Often this may involve coercing those in debt bondage, or those who may have addiction issues to become involved in prostitution.
Richard Pengelly CB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Justice said: "The reality is that exploitation is happening around us and often goes unnoticed or is ignored or is hidden in plain sight. This issue requires a societal wide effort if we are to successfully tackle this heinous crime. We owe it to the victims to put an end to this brutal exploitation and trade in human beings."
Some of the signs of slavery may be someone who:
• is distrustful of authorities;
• appears to be under the control of others;
• is unsure of their home address or the local area;
• may not have cash because they can't keep the money they earn; or
• can't produce their passport or personal documents.
In the UK in 2022, nearly 17,000 potential victims were recorded on the National Referral Mechanism, a mechanism for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery/human trafficking. In the same year around 550 potential victims were referred from Northern Ireland.
The DoJ said that modern slavery and trafficking involves the exploitation of vulnerable people to make money for criminal gangs and individuals. It destroys the lives of millions to create illicit livelihoods for a few.
This action involves a range of criminal activity including labour, criminal or sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. Often this may involve coercing those in debt bondage, or those who may have addiction issues to become involved in prostitution.
Richard Pengelly CB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Justice said: "The reality is that exploitation is happening around us and often goes unnoticed or is ignored or is hidden in plain sight. This issue requires a societal wide effort if we are to successfully tackle this heinous crime. We owe it to the victims to put an end to this brutal exploitation and trade in human beings."
Some of the signs of slavery may be someone who:
• is distrustful of authorities;
• appears to be under the control of others;
• is unsure of their home address or the local area;
• may not have cash because they can't keep the money they earn; or
• can't produce their passport or personal documents.
In the UK in 2022, nearly 17,000 potential victims were recorded on the National Referral Mechanism, a mechanism for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery/human trafficking. In the same year around 550 potential victims were referred from Northern Ireland.
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