Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. Victims are trapped in servitude, which they were deceived or coerced into, and cannot leave.
There are victims of modern slavery and human trafficking across the UK and their plight often goes by unnoticed or with people simply not appreciating that this could be happening. There is no typical victim of slavery. Victims can be men, women and children of all ages, and cut across the population. But they are most often the most vulnerable in society.
In order to combat modern slavery, the Modern Slavery Act came into force in 2015. Its aim is to combat slavery while consolidating existing laws.