Crackdowns reveal harrowing truths about modern slavery
Reports this week reveal that since May of this year, police forces across the country have launched 200 operations into modern slavery as part of their major crackdown on forced labour, domestic servitude and sexual exploitation.
These operations targeted around 900 alleged offenders and brought to light nearly 1,700 potential victims of modern slavery, forty of whom were children. They have led to, at present, 20 convictions and 24 charges so far, with other investigations still ongoing.
While this is certainly a good start and while TG applauds the hard work undertaken by all involved in these operations, we know that these figures are only barely scratching the surface. If we compare these figures to the estimated 10,000-13,000 potential victims quoted in a 2013 Home Office report and consider that the nature of the crime means that true figures are near impossible to determine, it becomes apparent that we still have a long, long way to go before significant steps can be made. At the same time, we must not let the scale of the problem stop us from commending those who are working to fight the problem and who are making progress, small though it may be at present.
And we all have our parts to play: most of the above operations were initiated following tip-offs from members of the public so if you have any suspicions or concerns about possible victims of modern slavery (for example, anti-social behaviour, poor living conditions or indications of prostitution), please do contact your local force with details. The more we refuse to turn a blind eye to modern slavery, the harder it will become for potential offenders to get away with it so we must make sure this issue cannot be swept under the rug to be ignored.
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