Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain. It covers a wide range of abuse and exploitation including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting.
Victims of modern slavery can be any age, gender, nationality and ethnicity. They are tricked or threatened into work and may feel unable to leave or report the crime through fear or intimidation. They may not recognise themselves as a victim.
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is designed to tackle slavery in the UK and consolidates previous offences relating to trafficking and slavery. The legislation requires commercial organisations supplying goods or services with a turnover of more than £36 million to prepare and publish an annual ‘Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement’.
Although, we are not legally obliged to publish this statement under the Modern Slavery Act. However, as a public sector body we must operate in ways that are compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998, including the right for people to be free from slavery and forced labour. By publishing this statement, we declare our on-going commitment to uphold best practice and implement procedures in accordance with the relevant UK legislations. We continue to monitor our internal policies and procedures to ensure we fulfil our duties and responsibilities towards meeting the UK Governing policies.
Mercy Mission UK does not tolerate and is implacably opposed to Modern Slavery in all its many forms.
We stand against Human Trafficking, Slavery, Forced Labour and Domestic Servitude and all other types of exploitation.
We remain committed to the identification, addressing and reporting of Modern Slavery and all forms of exploitation wherever it is encountered.
We will review and update this statement annually"