Individuals:
What can we do as individuals to help end Modern Slavery and Exploitation?
It can sometimes feel that working to end something as vast as modern slavery is impossible to do alone. However, as an individual you can do vital work in ending exploitation around the world. The resources in this page can help you get inspired and get started!
Consumers:
One of the biggest things you can do as an individual is to understand the role slavery plays in the production of many of our goods and services. There are lots of ways you can work to ensure as many of your goods and services as possible are “slave free”.
One of the biggest things you can do as an individual is to understand the role slavery plays in the production of many of our goods and services. There are lots of ways you can work to ensure as many of your goods and services as possible are “slave free”.
An area where modern slavery and exploitation is common is the farming industry. Due to this lots of the food we eat and drink may have been produced (in whole or in part) by people being exploited as slaves. Two of the biggest industries where this exploitation takes place is in Chocolate and Tea production. According to Stop the Traffik “It is estimated that over 2.1 million children in West Africa alone are employed on cocoa plantations, performing the backbreaking and hazardous job of harvesting cocoa beans.” Stop the Traffik have campaigns to help you ensure that you are not supporting exploitation when you buy tea or coffee.
Learn about how to buy Slave Free Chocolate.
Learn about slavery in tea production and how to buy Slave Free Tea.
Buying fair trade food is one of the best ways to ensure that the workers growing, cultivating and farming your food are payed properly. Buying free trade food is one of the best ways to ensure that the workers growing, cultivating and farming your food are payed properly.
Clothing and Fashion:
The reason businesses around the world use exploited slave labour because it is cheap, as they do not need to pay their workers the legal minimum wage. The clothing industry is a good example of where exploited labour is often used throughout the supply chain, from the picking of cotton to the sewing of garments.
When shopping for new clothes, research into brands and support those who invest in treating their workers with dignity and paying them properly. The website The Ethical Consumer has a wide range of resources to help you buy clothing, electrical and household goods that are slave free and ethically produced.
The Role of Business:
A tell-tale sign of industries using slave labour and/or exploited workers is very cheap prices. In the UK slave labour is sometimes used by small construction companies to keep costs down. If you are looking into using a construction company be sure to do research into the company and its workforce. Additionally, exploited workers will often not be allowed to take breaks, eat, drink or converse with the customer. Be sure to look out for these signs and talk to the The Modern Slavery Helpline on 121 700, if you suspect workers may be being exploited or underpaid. The video below also explains the common signs to look out for when you suspect forced labour and exploitation is taking place.
Forced labour is not limited to construction, it takes place in all areas of modern life including farming, car washes, nail bars and many other industries. Always be on the look-out for the signs of modern slavery and report anything you think is suspicious.
The Modern Slavery Helpline – Click To Find Out What To Do If You Suspect Modern Slavery
If you are a business owner looking to ensure your business remains slave and exploitation free, please look at The Slave Free Alliance and The Wilberforce Institute for advice and guidance on practical steps you can take.
Stories of Survival:
All survivors of modern slavery have a story. Hearing and learning from these stories is a vital way we can better understand the experience of what modern slavery survivors go through.
Phone Applications:
These phone Apps are a way you can get involved in ending modern slavery. They are a way for you to easily, and safely, report if you think someone may be being exploited and/or trapped in modern slavery.
The Safe Car Wash APP:
Download the Safe Car Wash app onto your phone and use it every time you go to a hand car wash. The app will take you through the most obvious indicators of modern slavery, asking you questions to determine whether those signs are present or not. If there is a high likelihood of modern slavery in the car wash, you will be prompted to call the
The Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700. Remember, if someone is in immediate danger please call 999 and report it to the police.
Download the Safe Car Wash APP on Google Play Store.
The Stop APP: The STOP APP is the first global app available in multiple languages to report any suspicion or incident of human trafficking and modern slavery.
It’s completely anonymous, confidential and secure. Your report will be combined with others to help build the bigger picture of global human trafficking hotspots and trends. This allows for human trafficking to be disrupted and for vulnerable communities to be supported.
Download the Stop APP on the Google Play Store.
Click Here to Access Prayer Resources from the Clewer Initiative.