Modern slavery in the UK: how should the health sector be responding?

Abstract

Modern slavery is crime of extreme exploitation. It includes the use of coercion, force, deception and abuse of vulnerability for such purposes as trafficking, labour, sexual exploitation, forced criminal activity and domestic servitude. It is a topic of growing interest in the UK and beyond as it has emerged as an issue of considerable scale and consequence. To date, debates have been dominated by a law enforcement perspective. Less apparent has been an articulation of the implications of modern slavery for the health sector. This is despite growing evidence of the dire physical and mental health consequences for survivors. This paper addresses this gap by confronting a series of issues relevant to UK health systems. After describing what is modern slavery and the nature of the problem, we identify how the health sector has responded to date. We then articulate how health services and public health can more coherently and systematically meet the challenges of modern slavery through policy and practice. Finally, we present a call for the health sector to position itself as a central to the wellbeing of survivors and as a fundamental ally in modern slavery prevention.

Movimentos sociais, escravidão contemporânea e saúde: saberes, práticas e implicações para o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)

“…One research carried out with 12 rescued people from modern slavery in Los Angeles 39 , demonstrated that all of them got in public health services and their slave conditions was not identified by any health professional. Some initiatives and recommendations are being created in some countries, like England 40,41 and New Zeeland 42 , has been carried out to provide advances and avoid health sector omission concerning modern slavery.…”

Modern slavery: a global public health concern

“…The UK national system, for example, has encountered many problems, including inadequate inspection of care facilities 18. Finally, practitioners can be important contributors to an emerging public health approach to tackling modern slavery that promotes a preventive agenda 19…”

Cutting edge or ignored resource: assessing the uptake and content of the NHS e-Learning for healthcare on “identifying and supporting survivors of modern slavery”

“…(2) Studies have found that training across the UK is highly variable, and often the issue is placed in the margins. (3,8) Calls have been made for all healthcare professionals to receive better training, with upskilling for those most likely to encounter those in exploitation. (3,8) In 2015, an updated training module for healthcare staff was launched (and subsequently updated), online via https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/, called Identifying and Supporting Victims of Modern Slavery.…”

“…(3,8) Calls have been made for all healthcare professionals to receive better training, with upskilling for those most likely to encounter those in exploitation. (3,8) In 2015, an updated training module for healthcare staff was launched (and subsequently updated), online via https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/, called Identifying and Supporting Victims of Modern Slavery. Available to all NHS staff, it is designed to: 1) provide an overview of the issue of modern slavery; 2) prepare frontline healthcare staff to recognize the signs that someone is being, or has been, exploited; and 3) know how to take appropriate action.…”

“…knowledges conveyed (8,12,13). Particular attention was paid to inconsistencies and contradictions in terms of meanings (14).…”