Safety & safeguarding · England
Modern slavery: getting help
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This guide is about being controlled and exploited.
Exploitation means someone uses you unfairly and harms you.
It explains how to get help in England.
Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
What modern slavery means
Someone may force or trick you into doing things.
They may use threats to stop you leaving.
This can be modern slavery.
It is not your fault
This can happen to adults and children.
It can happen to people born in the UK.
You deserve help and respect.
Being forced to work
Someone may make you work when you want to stop.
They may take your wages or identity documents.
You may feel afraid to leave.
Being forced to work in a home
Someone may force you to clean, cook or provide care.
They may stop you leaving or having a rest.
This is sometimes called domestic servitude.
Being moved to be exploited
Someone may arrange travel so they can exploit you.
This is called human trafficking.
It can happen within the UK.
Being forced into sex or crime
Someone may force you to do sexual things.
They may make you steal or carry drugs.
You can ask for help.
Warning signs
Someone may control your money, documents or phone.
They may say you owe them money.
They may threaten you or your family.
If there is danger now
Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
Say where help is needed if you can.
Do not confront the person causing harm.
Ask for advice
The Modern Slavery Helpline can give advice.
Phone 08000 121 700.
It is currently open from 8am to 6pm every day.
Check its website for changes.
Another place adults can get help
The Salvation Army helps adults affected by modern slavery.
Phone 0800 808 3733.
This helpline is open all day and night.
Speak safely
Tell the service if someone checks your phone or messages.
Use a phone they cannot check, if possible.
Agree a safe way for the service to contact you.
Ask what information they will share.
Help to communicate
Ask for information you can understand.
You can ask for an interpreter or communication support.
Ask someone independent to help you speak up.
Getting specialist support
There is a process called the National Referral Mechanism.
People call it the NRM.
It helps identify modern slavery and arrange support.
The council, police or some charities can refer you.
Understanding your choices
Adults usually choose whether to enter the NRM.
Ask someone to explain the choices and information sharing.
Ask for help to make your own decision.
There are rules if you cannot make this decision.
Information about you
NRM information is shared with the police.
You can get NRM support without helping a police investigation.
Ask someone to explain this before you decide.
Help for a child
Tell children’s social care if a child may be exploited.
The council can help you contact this team.
A child does not have to agree to an NRM referral.
People should still listen to the child.
If you do not want a referral
You can still ask about other help.
Ask what information services must share and why.
You can ask for independent advice.
If police ask about a crime
Ask for a solicitor to help you.
Tell them if someone forced or threatened you.
The solicitor can explain what happens next.
If you help someone else
Listen without blaming them.
Do not make them tell you every detail.
Ask a trusted professional or helpline for advice.
Online forms are not emergency help
The helpline has an online reporting form.
It is in English.
Replies may take time.
Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
What you can do next
This website explains the helpline and ways to get help.
It uses longer words.
Ask someone you trust to read it with you.
Open the specialist helpline website Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- The Salvation Army: support for survivors Web page
Specialist adult support in England and Wales. Referral helpline: 0800 808 3733, open 24 hours every day.
- Unseen: report a concern online Web page
English-language form. Replies may take time. This is not an emergency service or an NRM referral form.
- Unseen: signs of modern slavery Web page
Examples of control, forced work and exploitation. This uses longer words.
- Metropolitan Police: reporting modern slavery Web page
General police contact advice, including communication support. For online reporting, use your local police website.
- Find your council Web pageFuller information
Ask for adult safeguarding or children’s social care.
- GOV.UK: modern slavery guidance Web page
Detailed rules about referrals, consent, safeguarding and support. Written mainly for professionals.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Modern slavery: recognising exploitation and getting help
Recognise modern slavery, forced work and trafficking. Find safe, accessible help and understand referral choices.
England · Information for people, families and supporters
Get help if there is danger now
Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger, is being hurt or is threatened with violence. Say where help is needed if you can. For a police report that is not an emergency, call 101 or use your local police website when safe. Do not confront the person exploiting someone or try to rescue someone yourself. You can ask for advice without first collecting proof.
What modern slavery means
Modern slavery is serious exploitation involving control, threats, force or deception. A person may be unable to refuse or leave without fearing harm. It can happen in homes, workplaces or the community and can affect people of any nationality, including British citizens. Someone does not have to be locked up or brought from another country. Receiving some wages or initially agreeing to a job does not rule out exploitation.
Forced work and domestic servitude
Forced labour means work someone is made to do against their will. Domestic servitude can involve being made to cook, clean or care for others in a home while being controlled and unable to leave freely. Someone may take wages, keep identity documents or invent debts. Poor pay or an employment disagreement alone does not establish modern slavery, but you can still seek advice about unsafe or unfair work.
Trafficking, sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation
Human trafficking involves arranging someone’s travel for exploitation. Travel can be within the UK; it need not cross a border. Exploitation can involve pressure to perform sexual acts, carry or sell drugs, steal or carry out other crimes for someone else. Taking over someone’s home for crime is called cuckooing. Children may be exploited even when they appear to agree. The related guides give more help with sexual assault and home takeover.
Warning signs to take seriously
A person may be frightened to stop working, unable to keep their pay or documents, or prevented from speaking privately. Someone else may control their movements, threaten their family or stop them getting food, rest or health care. They may be told they owe a debt they can never repay. These signs are not proof on their own. Consider what has changed and listen without blaming the person.
Ask the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline
Call Unseen’s helpline on 08000 121 700 for advice about yourself or someone else. As checked on 5 November 2026, temporary opening hours are 8am to 6pm every day. Check its website for changes. An adviser can discuss options and safe contact arrangements. You can ask about remaining anonymous and when information may be shared. Confidentiality has exceptions, including immediate danger and concerns about children.
Specialist support for adults
The Salvation Army’s referral helpline is 0800 808 3733, open 24 hours every day. It can discuss possible modern slavery and routes to specialist support for adults in England and Wales. Depending on eligibility and individual needs, support may include accommodation, practical help, financial support and access to health care, counselling or legal advice. Ask what is available now and how your disability, care and communication needs will be met.
Choose a safe way to communicate
Tell the service if someone monitors your phone, messages, post or appointments. Agree when and how it is safe to contact you. Use a safer device or speak privately with a trusted professional if possible. Changing settings or deleting messages can sometimes alert someone controlling you. Ask for an independent interpreter, Easy Read information, communication aids, extra time or an advocate. Do not rely on a suspected exploiter to translate or explain your wishes.
What the National Referral Mechanism is
The National Referral Mechanism, often called the NRM, is the UK process for identifying possible victims of modern slavery and connecting eligible people with support. A designated organisation called a first responder makes the referral. Examples include the police, councils and some specialist charities. You cannot refer yourself directly, but you can ask these organisations for help. Reporting to Unseen is not itself an NRM referral.
Adults: understanding and choosing a referral
An adult who can make this decision must give informed consent to enter the NRM. The first responder should explain the process, possible support and information sharing. NRM information is passed to police, even if you do not want to take part in an investigation. You do not have to cooperate with a prosecution to receive NRM support. A learning disability does not automatically mean someone cannot decide. Give practical communication support first. If the person cannot make this particular decision, follow the Mental Capacity Act and best-interests process, consulting those involved in their care.
If you do not want an NRM referral
You can still ask about safeguarding, health care, housing advice and other help; eligibility varies. Some public authorities must make a separate notification about suspected modern slavery. Without your consent, that notification must not identify you. Separate safeguarding or other legal duties may also affect information sharing. Ask the worker to explain what they will do and why. Do not delay emergency help while a referral is being discussed.
Children need a separate safeguarding response
If someone under 18 may be exploited, contact the council’s children’s social care team. Call 999 for immediate danger. A first responder should refer a possible child victim to the NRM; the child’s consent is not required. This also applies where there are reasonable grounds to believe the person may be under 18. Their views, communication and safety still matter. The referral does not replace child protection work. Ask about an Independent Child Trafficking Guardian where this service is available.
Legal advice and decisions about support
An NRM referral or positive decision does not automatically give permission to stay or work in the UK. Ask a qualified immigration adviser about your circumstances. If police suspect you of an offence, tell your solicitor about threats or exploitation and ask for free independent legal advice at the police station. Protection from prosecution has conditions; it is not automatic. Get prompt specialist advice if a modern slavery decision is negative or support is ending.
If you are helping someone
Listen calmly and speak privately where safe. Explain what help is available and ask what the person wants. Avoid pressing them for a detailed account, confronting suspected exploiters or promising complete secrecy. Ask safeguarding professionals to coordinate practical help, including care, medicines and a safe place to stay where needed. Keep the person involved and agree who will update them. Use the safeguarding guide for council reporting and advocacy.
Using an online reporting form
Unseen’s online form is another way to raise concerns when safe. It is in English and replies may take time; it is not an emergency service. Phone the helpline if you need an interpreter. Professionals must still follow their own safeguarding and referral duties. Do not use Clearer’s contact form to report an emergency or request an NRM referral.
Words you could use
“I think I am being controlled or forced to do things. Please help me speak safely and understand my choices.”
More useful links
- The Salvation Army: support for survivors Web page
Specialist adult support in England and Wales. Referral helpline: 0800 808 3733, open 24 hours every day.
- Unseen: report a concern online Web page
English-language form. Replies may take time. This is not an emergency service or an NRM referral form.
- Unseen: signs of modern slavery Web page
Examples of control, forced work and exploitation. This uses longer words.
- Metropolitan Police: reporting modern slavery Web page
General police contact advice, including communication support. For online reporting, use your local police website.
- Find your council Web pageFuller information
Ask for adult safeguarding or children’s social care.
- GOV.UK: modern slavery guidance Web page
Detailed rules about referrals, consent, safeguarding and support. Written mainly for professionals.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 5 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- Metropolitan Police: modern slavery and human trafficking Web page
Definitions, forced labour, domestic servitude and trafficking within the UK.
- Metropolitan Police: forms of exploitation Web page
Sexual and criminal exploitation, including children.
- Unseen: warning signs Web page
Examples of control, restricted freedom, debt and exploitation.
- Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline Web page
Current temporary opening hours, telephone number, safe contact, confidentiality and advice.
- The Salvation Army: support for survivors Web page
Adult support services and 24-hour referral helpline.
- Unseen: online reporting form Web page
Language, response times and distinction from statutory safeguarding and NRM referrals.
- Metropolitan Police: reporting modern slavery Web page
Police contact and emergency routes.
- Home Office: modern slavery statutory guidance Web page
Current referral rules, decision-specific capacity, consent, child protection and support; updated 3 November 2026.
- GOV.UK: adult NRM referral guidance Web page
First responders, consent, information sharing and notification duties.
- The Salvation Army: first responders Web page
Referral stages and asking about immediate support while awaiting a decision.