12/10/2015

Welsh Police Forces Launch Slavery Awareness Week

Police forces throughout Wales are teaming up to embark on a week's worth of activity to raise awareness about slavery.

The week-long campaign will raise awareness, identify offences and support victims in the lead up to International Anti-Slavery Day on Sunday, 18 October.

The aim of the week is to break down traditional views of slavery, Gwent Police said.

A total of four Welsh forces are taking part in the campaign.

The Modern Slavery Act became Law this year and is aimed at tackling human trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude.

Detective Superintendent Paul Griffiths, who is the operational policing lead on modern slavery for Wales, said: "It is a common misconception that modern slavery is an issue for other parts of the world. The reality is that human trafficking victims exist in communities across Wales.

"In Gwent we are currently carrying out a major investigation into Forced Labour and I feel it is important to raise awareness, identify the exploitation and do all we can to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities."

Some indications that a person may be a victim of slavery include:

• Not having a passport or other means of identification

• They are withdrawn and refuse to talk to, or appear afraid to talk, a person in authority

• They are unable, or reluctant to give details of accommodation or other personal details

• They have low, or no salary, or are permanently deprived of a large part of their earnings by another person

• Being escorted whenever they go and or return from work and other activities

• They work long hours or have few, if any, days off

• They have no privacy, sleeping in shared and over-crowded spaces

• They are not dressed properly for the work they do.

(LM/JP)

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