The theme for 2026 is “See Every Worker”, highlighting the importance of recognizing signs of exploitation and ensuring that all workers, from frontline staff to those behind the scenes, are protected from modern slavery.
What is modern slavery?
Anti-Slavery International define Modern Slavery as when an individual is exploited by others, for personal or commercial gain. Whether tricked, coerced, or forced, they lose their freedom.
Modern slavery encompasses human trafficking and slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
Human trafficking consists of three basic components: action, means and purpose of exploitation. All three components must be present in an adult trafficking case; for child trafficking the ‘means’ component is not required.
In human trafficking cases, exploitation can take many forms, including: sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery, servitude, forced criminality and removal of organs.
Some people may not be victims of human trafficking but still victims of modern slavery if they have been subject to slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
Human trafficking is not the same as human smuggling. There are common myths about modern slavery, such as misconceptions that UK nationals cannot be victims and that a person cannot be a victim if they reject offers of help.