Demand for cheap clothing and labour is creating the perfect storm for human trafficking, while lockdown measures in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus are making it even harder for victims of slavery to come forward.
Modern slavery also includes human trafficking; victims can be trafficked for the purposes of sexual, criminal and modern slavery exploitation.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Thousands of people across the UK are being forced into a life they didn’t ask for, with more people discovered every day.
“Now more than ever frontline workers and the public are encouraged to be vigilant in spotting signs of slavery happening around them and reporting suspicions to the authorities. Some signs are physical, but some are much less obvious.
“So as we mark Anti-Slavery Day this weekend, please join the fight to combat modern slavery and speak up for those who are unable to do so themselves.”
Advice and support is available from the Modern Slavery Helpline – 08000 121 7000.
For more details of Anti-Slavery Day, the signs of slavery and the Salvation Army’s #WeAreNotForSale campaign, please visit The Salvation Army and for information about modern slavery and human trafficking please contact Wolverhampton Community Safety Team via safer@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
