Modern Day Slavery is happening in our communities. The Home Office predicts that there may be as many as 13,000 victims in the UK alone. There is no typical victim of slavery, but it is typically more prevalent amongst the most vulnerable, minority or socially excluded groups.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 uses the following definitions of Modern-Day Slavery:

• 'slavery' is where ownership is exercised over a person
• 'servitude' involves the obligation to provide services imposed by coercion
• 'forced or compulsory labour' involves work or service extracted from any person under the menace of a penalty and for which the person has not offered himself voluntarily.
• 'human trafficking' concerns arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploiting them.

In our day to day work we may encounter suspected incidences of Modern-Day Slavery. This may be while out in the community or when working in partnership with other organisations. VSA takes all cases of suspected Modern-Day Slavery seriously and advises employees to take the following action:

• Where you believe a person to be at immediate risk call the Police on 999
• Call Police on 101
• Report all suspicions to Line Manager

This relates to the following VSA policies:

• Whistleblowing
• Adult Support and Protection
• Child Protection

VSA will endeavour to ensure that its supply chains and delivery partners fully comply with the Modern-Day Slavery Act 2015, are Transparent, accountable and auditable, and are Free from ethical ambiguities.

Further advice on Modern Slavery:

Modern Slavery Helpline 0800 0121 700 https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about

Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance. https://www.tarascotland.org.u... 0141 276 7724

Migrant Helpline. https://www.migranthelpuk.org/ tel: 08088010503

Transparency in supply chains etc., A Practical Guide www.gov.uk