Hull Museum Education
Modern Day Slavery
Fact Sheet -KS3/4
It seems unbelievable that slavery still exists today, but it does.
Slavery today is similar to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in some respects (for
example the work, conditions and standards of life that some slaves have to
endure), but different in that it takes many different forms and does not involve
one particular country or culture.
The main types of slavery which exist around the world today are:
Bonded Labour
This is where a person is forced to work in order to pay a debt, which simply
keeps on growing (they can never pay it off). People often become bonded
labourers after being tricked into taking a loan. Sometimes this loan can be for
as little as the cost of medicine for a sick child. To repay the debt, many are
forced to work long hours- sometimes seven days a week, 365 days a year.
They receive basic food and shelter as “payment” for their work, but may never
pay off the loan, which can be passed down for generations (see Slavery by
Descent).
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Forced Labour
This is when a person is forced to work under threats of violence,
homelessness and starvation etc. Forced labour especially affects people who
are illegally recruited by individuals, governments or political parties and forced
to work.
Slavery by Descent
If someone is a slave “by descent” this means that they have been born into
slavery. They may have been born into an economic class or ethnic group that
is viewed by others as being exploitable.
Sex Slavery
Sex slavery is when a person is forced into prostitution. Women and children
are often the victim of people traffickers who kidnap, buy them or lure them with
promises of good jobs and then put them to work as prostitutes. Thousands of
women have been brought into Western Europe from poorer Eastern European
countries to work in brothels or on the streets.
To find out more about Modern Day Slavery, visit these websites:
Anti-Slavery International
www.antislavery.org
Stolen Childhoods
www.stolenchildhoods.org
Free the Slaves
www.freetheslaves.net
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