What is Modern Slavery?

Modern slavery can take several different forms. Understanding these can help you recognise situations where someone may be experiencing exploitation.

References used: Home Office (2026), Modern slavery: How to identify and support victims; Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving a person for the purpose of exploitation, using methods such as threats, force, deception or coercion.

It does not always involve crossing international borders. Trafficking can take place within the UK.

Example: Someone is promised a well-paid job in another part of the country. When they arrive, they discover that the job does not exist and they are forced into exploitative work.

Forced Labour

Forced labour occurs when someone is made to work against their will, often through threats, intimidation, violence or the abuse of their vulnerability.

People may receive little or no pay and feel unable to leave their employment.

Example: A worker is told they cannot leave their job until they have repaid an alleged recruitment debt. The debt continues to increase, making it difficult for them to escape the situation.

Domestic Servitude

Domestic servitude occurs when someone is forced or controlled into carrying out household duties, such as cleaning, cooking or caring for others, without proper freedom or fair treatment.

Example: Someone working in a private household is expected to work every day, receives little or no payment and is prevented from leaving the property freely.

Sexual Exploitation

Sexual exploitation involves someone being forced, threatened, deceived or coerced into sexual activities for another person's benefit.

Example: Someone is manipulated or threatened into providing sexual services and is controlled by another person who profits from their exploitation.

Criminal Exploitation

Criminal exploitation occurs when someone is forced, manipulated or coerced into carrying out criminal activities for another person's benefit.

This can include drug-related offences, theft, fraud or other criminal activities.

Example: A vulnerable young person is pressured into transporting drugs for someone who uses threats or intimidation to maintain control over them.

Other forms of exploitation

Modern slavery can also involve forced begging, forced criminality and other forms of exploitation.

Not every example of unfair or poor employment automatically meets the legal definition of modern slavery. However, serious labour abuse can be an indicator that someone may be experiencing exploitation.

University life often involves new experiences, greater independence and opportunities to earn money through part-time employment. Although these experiences can be positive, it is important to understand that exploitation can happen in everyday situations.

References used: Home Office (2026), Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims; GOV.UK (2026), Spot the signs of labour exploitation.

Students may encounter risks when looking for:

• Part-time jobs to help fund their studies.
• Temporary or seasonal employment during university holidays.
• Accommodation or affordable housing.
• Work placements and internships.
• Employment opportunities advertised through social media.
• Opportunities to work or study overseas.

Students should be particularly careful when an opportunity seems too good to be true or when someone asks them to hand over money or personal documents.

Example: Exploitation through part-time employment

A university student sees an online advertisement for a hospitality job offering good wages and flexible working hours.

After accepting the position, the student discovers that they are expected to work much longer hours than originally agreed. Their wages are withheld, and their employer tells them they cannot leave until they have repaid an alleged recruitment debt.

This situation could raise concerns about forced labour, financial control and exploitation.

Example: Exploitation through accommodation

A student moves into accommodation arranged through someone offering employment.

The person providing the accommodation begins controlling where the student can go, demands excessive payments and threatens to remove their housing if they complain about their working conditions.

This could be a warning sign of exploitation and controlling behaviour.

It is important to understand that modern slavery is not limited to people from overseas. UK citizens and university students can also experience exploitation.

Modern slavery is not always easy to recognise. People experiencing exploitation may feel frightened, isolated, ashamed or unable to ask for help.

The Home Office identifies a number of indicators that may suggest someone is experiencing modern slavery or labour exploitation.

Reference used: Home Office (2026), Spot the signs of labour exploitation and Modern slavery: how to identify and support victims.

These include:

Personal circumstances and behaviour

• Someone appears frightened, anxious, withdrawn or unusually nervous.
• They seem unable to speak freely or another person always answers questions for them.
• They have limited contact with family and friends.
• They appear to be controlled or closely monitored by another person.

Employment and working conditions

• They work excessive hours with little or no time off.
• They receive little or no payment for their work.
• Their wages are withheld or controlled by someone else.
• They are threatened or intimidated by their employer.
• They are unable to leave their employment freely.
• They have no control over their working conditions.

Personal documents and finances

• Their passport or identification documents are being held by someone else.
• They have no access to their own money or bank cards.
• They are being controlled through debts or unexpected charges.
• They are being threatened because of money they allegedly owe.

Living conditions

• They live in overcrowded or unsuitable accommodation.
• They are not free to leave their accommodation.
• They have little privacy or independence.
• They do not appear to know their home or work address.

Important: These signs do not automatically mean someone is experiencing modern slavery. However, one or several indicators may raise concerns. You do not need to be certain that someone is a victim before reporting your concerns.

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by modern slavery, it may be hard to know what to do or how to feel. That's okay.

What happened was not your fault, you're not alone, and what you do next will always be your choice. 

Are you in Immediate Danger?

You Report, We Support is not an emergency reporting tool. 

If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured:

• Contact the Emergency Services on 999

Alternatively, if you are on campus you can call

• On Campus Security: Lancaster 07809 190566, Carlisle 07809 190530, Ambleside 07809 190531

If you are Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a Text Phone is available on: 18000

If you are not in immediate danger, currently feel safe from harm and do not need to report an emergency - then speaking to someone about your options is a great place to start. 

• Report an incident: If you submit a report with details, a member of the Student Services team will be in touch soon. Your report will not trigger a formal complaints process, and the advisor can confidentially speak to you about both your reporting and support options. You will never be forced to submit a report to the police, or a Formal Complaint to the University- as this is your choice. 

• The University of Cumbria Student's Union can provide support, advocacy and advice to students even if they do not wish to report.

• If you are a member of staff and have opted to join one of the three unions recognised by the University;  UCU, Unite and UNISON, they will be able to offer advice, advocacy and support. All help and advice from unions is independent of the University of Cumbria.

• ACAS:  gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.

• Citizens Advice:  give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem. 

It is entirely within your right to formally report. You can formally report something to the University and/or the police if it constitutes a criminal offence. 

• Report an Incident: If you submit a report with details, a member of the Student Services team will be in touch soon. Student Services advisors can help outline your formal reporting options, as well as describing what these processes might look like and what an investigation would entail.

We would strongly advise seeking the support of a Student Services Advisor if you wish to report something to the authorities. 

• Report Modern Slavery to the Authorities

  Modern slavery is a serious crime in the UK and includes human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude and exploitation. Anyone who suspects that an individual may be a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking can report their concerns through the Modern Slavery Helpline.

  You can report suspected cases of modern slavery confidentially using the official Modern Slavery Helpline reporting service.

If you would like to speak to someone about how the incident(s) has emotionally affected you, or you would like to use some of the support services below for self-care, that is okay.

• Report an Incident: If you submit a report with details, a member of the Student Services team will be in touch soon. Please remember that submitting a report with details through Report and Support, means that someone will be able to personally talk you through your support options and tailor advice to your needs. You will never be forced to submit a formal report. 

• Wellbeing Support Services: The University’s dedicated wellbeing services can support you with practical and emotional issues impacting your wellbeing or mental health and aspects of University life, including referrals for counselling and psychology support.  

• Students’ Union: Is the SU's Advice Centre with expert staff who can provide support, advocacy and advice to students even if they do not wish to report. 

• Personal Tutors: If your studies have been affected by an incident, your personal tutor could help to explain your options with regards to academic support.

• Unseen – Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline. Unseen is a UK charity working to end modern slavery and human trafficking. They provide support and guidance to victims and survivors of exploitation, as well as advice to concerned members of the public and professionals. They operate the confidential Modern Slavery Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reports can also be made anonymously.

• The Salvation Army – Modern Slavery Support Service. The Salvation Army provides specialist support to adult survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking across England and Wales. Their services include safe accommodation, practical and emotional support, access to legal advice and assistance with rebuilding lives following exploitation. They coordinate specialist victim support services across the country, including the North West and Cumbria.

• Hope for Justice - Hope for Justice is an established anti-slavery charity. Hope for Justice is an established anti-slavery charity working to identify and support victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation. They provide specialist outreach, advocacy and practical support to survivors, helping them access safety and rebuild their lives. They have a presence in the North West and work with local agencies to identify and respond to exploitation.

It is okay not to want to do anything at this moment in time. It is entirely your choice. 
If you ever change your mind, just know these support pages will be here to help direct you towards whichever option you wish to pursue.