Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

Human trafficking and modern slavery affect children and young people. Signs can be subtle: a child who is withdrawn, appears closely supervised, seems unsure of where they are, or is unable to speak freely.

In a pharmacy these signs may emerge during routine contacts: collecting medicines, arranging deliveries, buying over-the-counter products, or in a brief conversation where someone appears watched or controlled.

Trafficking covers recruitment, movement or holding of people for exploitation. Modern slavery includes forced labour, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation and situations where control is maintained through debt, threats, violence or fear. Children cannot consent to their exploitation; apparent cooperation does not make the situation safe or lawful.

What You May Notice in Pharmacy Practice

Pharmacy staff are not expected to make a definitive identification, but some patterns should raise concern. A young person may never be left alone, be unsure of basic details, or look exhausted, malnourished, anxious or injured. A delivery or collection may suggest an overcrowded or tightly controlled household.

• Someone else speaks for the child and will not let them answer.
• The child appears fearful, exhausted, injured or unusually anxious.
• An address or living arrangement is unclear or tightly controlled.
• A delivery or visit indicates limited freedom, privacy or access to help.

If a child appears controlled, frightened, and unable to seek help freely, treat this as a safeguarding concern even if you do not know the full story.

How to Respond

Trafficking and modern slavery often only become visible in fragments. A child may not disclose, may not trust adults, or may be too frightened to speak. Observations from pharmacy staff can help build the wider safeguarding picture.

Record clearly what you have seen or heard and follow your safeguarding procedure. Do not confront a controlling person or attempt to remove the child yourself. If there is an immediate threat to safety, act urgently. Otherwise escalate promptly to the safeguarding lead or the appropriate external agency.