Rahab’s Daughters UK is a Community Interest Company dedicated to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking across the United Kingdom. We equip organisations, professionals and communities to recognise exploitation, respond safely and work within UK legal frameworks, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

UK modern slavery context
23,000+ potential victims
In 2025, more than 23,000 potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking were referred to the UK National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Rising referrals show both growing awareness and the ongoing scale of exploitation.
Our role: to train frontline staff, businesses and communities so that more victims are identified safely and referred through authorised UK systems.








Rahab’s Daughters UK is a Community Interest Company (CIC) focused on the systemic prevention of human trafficking and modern slavery in the United Kingdom. Our work is grounded in survivor-informed practice from our global foundation and adapted specifically to the UK legal and safeguarding context.
We collaborate with statutory agencies, businesses, schools, faith communities and third-sector organisations to strengthen prevention, identification and reporting of exploitation. Our programmes are aligned with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, Home Office guidance and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), ensuring that any concerns are escalated through recognised UK pathways.
We do not carry out rescue operations or direct law enforcement activity. Instead, we build capacity so that authorised First Responders and frontline professionals can recognise indicators early and act lawfully.
Our UK operations are designed to complement, not duplicate, the work of law enforcement, local authorities and specialist support providers.
Human trafficking is recognised as a form of modern slavery under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It includes sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and criminal exploitation. We focus on three pillars that strengthen the UK response: education, prevention and identification with safe reporting.
We deliver workshops, seminars and digital learning modules tailored to UK audiences, from frontline staff to senior leadership teams. Content covers the legal definition of modern slavery, trafficking typologies and the UK safeguarding landscape.
Our prevention work targets vulnerabilities that traffickers routinely exploit, including poverty, migration pathways, digital grooming and social isolation. We help organisations design policies and environments that are harder to exploit.
In the UK, "identification" means recognising potential victims of modern slavery and trafficking and ensuring they are referred into appropriate safeguarding and support systems, primarily via the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).
We emphasise that staff should not attempt direct intervention or rescue. Instead, they should record concerns, follow organisational safeguarding procedures and, where appropriate, work with First Responders to support safe NRM referrals.
Our programmes are designed for UK institutions that need evidence-based, operationally practical training. All sessions reference the Modern Slavery Act 2015, Home Office guidance and relevant sector standards, and can be delivered in-person or online.
A foundational session that explains how modern slavery and human trafficking are defined in UK law, how they manifest in sectors such as agriculture, construction, domestic work and the sex industry, and how the NRM functions in practice.
Participants leave with a clear understanding of terminology, victim profiles, common myths, and the respective roles of employers, statutory agencies and support providers.
An in-depth look at how traffickers use online platforms, social media, encrypted apps and emerging technologies, including AI, to groom, recruit and control victims. We explore the use of fake job adverts, romance scams and online marketplaces.
For IT, cybersecurity and safeguarding teams, we discuss digital red flags, reporting channels, data protection considerations and how to build safer digital environments for users.
For UK businesses subject to the Modern Slavery Act’s transparency in supply chains requirements, this session unpacks legal obligations and good practice in due diligence, risk assessment and reporting.
We provide practical templates, board-level briefings and case studies to help organisations move beyond minimum compliance towards meaningful prevention.
Tailored for local communities, faith groups and voluntary organisations, these sessions demystify modern slavery, highlight local risk factors and provide safe ways to share concerns without putting anyone at risk.
We use anonymised UK case examples to help participants understand how exploitation can be hidden in plain sight in everyday settings such as car washes, nail bars and rental properties.
Our youth streams (BRAVE, AUDACIOUS, FLAG) focus on healthy relationships, online safety, peer support and how to seek help safely. Sessions are age-appropriate and aligned with UK safeguarding guidance for schools and youth services.
We address grooming tactics, coercive control, sextortion and how traffickers misuse social media, while guiding professionals on appropriate response and signposting pathways.
We develop bespoke modules for high-risk sectors such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, financial services and the commercial sex industry. These combine sector-specific risk mapping with practical scenario-based exercises using anonymised UK cases.
Modern slavery and human trafficking are found across the UK economy. Victims may be visible in everyday settings: agriculture and food production, construction sites, the sex industry, nail bars, car washes, hospitality venues and private homes. Our sector briefings help organisations understand how exploitation operates in their context and what effective prevention looks like.
In the UK, sexual exploitation is one of the most commonly identified forms of trafficking. The commercial sex industry, including online escorting, massage parlours and off-street venues, is a high-risk environment where organised networks and individual exploiters operate.
Anonymised UK case example: A young woman was recruited abroad by a man posing as a boyfriend, who promised a new life and legitimate work in the UK. On arrival, she was moved between flats and told she must repay travel and accommodation “debts” by providing sexual services advertised online. Her movements were controlled, her phone and passport were withheld, and all earnings went to the exploiter. A health professional, trained to spot indicators of trafficking, noticed signs of control, fear and inconsistent explanations. They followed local safeguarding procedures, shared concerns with the appropriate authorities and, through an authorised First Responder, the woman was offered referral to the National Referral Mechanism for specialist support.
Financial institutions are critical in disrupting trafficking networks, which depend on moving, disguising and profiting from criminal proceeds across borders and accounts.
Technology companies, online platforms and cybersecurity teams play a key role in preventing online grooming, fraudulent recruitment and digital exploitation linked to trafficking.
High-profile cases have highlighted exploitation in nail bars, beauty salons and fashion supply chains, where workers may be underpaid, controlled or living in employer-provided accommodation.
Hotels, short‑term lets, transport hubs and travel services may be used both for labour exploitation and as locations where victims of sexual or criminal exploitation are moved and controlled.
Forced labour and labour exploitation are frequently identified in agriculture, food processing, construction and certain manufacturing environments, often involving migrant workers or individuals facing economic hardship.
Professionals in health, social care, education and community services are often the first to see the physical, emotional and behavioural impacts of exploitation, particularly for children and vulnerable adults.
Human trafficking and modern slavery can occur in many UK industries, often concealed within legitimate business activity and routine operations. While specific risks vary by sector, there are common principles around indicators, prevention, due diligence and reporting. This section is designed to help UK organisations and professionals recognise sector-specific patterns of risk, observe potential indicators in day-to-day practice, and understand how to escalate concerns safely through internal procedures and, where appropriate, external routes such as the police, the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).
In the UK, exploitation linked to commercial sex and adult services can take place within venues or online platforms that appear to operate legally. Individuals may be controlled through debt, threats, immigration abuse or manipulation, and moved between locations. Staff, landlords and professionals may notice situations where those involved have limited freedom to choose clients, keep earnings or leave premises, indicating potential trafficking or modern slavery under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
An anonymised UK example involved hotel staff noticing repeated bookings of the same rooms by one individual for different women, who appeared withdrawn and were not allowed to speak freely. Staff followed the hotel’s safeguarding policy, recorded observations, informed the designated safeguarding lead and contacted the police, who in turn worked with specialist teams and considered referral through the NRM. Staff did not confront guests directly but focused on accurate, timely reporting.
UK financial institutions are subject to regulatory expectations around anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, which intersect with modern slavery risks. Trafficking networks may use personal or business accounts, money service businesses, insurance products or online banking to move and disguise proceeds of exploitation. Front-line and back-office staff can play a key role in identifying unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation linked to trafficking.
In one anonymised UK scenario, a bank’s transaction monitoring team identified several linked accounts receiving wages from different labour providers, followed by rapid ATM withdrawals by the same individual. Staff escalated the concern through the bank’s financial crime and modern slavery escalation process, which included internal investigation and information sharing with law enforcement under legal gateways. Potential victims were later identified and considered for support via the NRM.
Technology companies, social media platforms, online marketplaces and cybersecurity teams in the UK may encounter activity linked to trafficking and modern slavery. Exploitation can be facilitated through online recruitment, misrepresentation of job opportunities, sale of services, or control maintained through digital tools and surveillance. UK regulators increasingly expect platforms to consider harms, including exploitation, within safety and compliance frameworks.
An anonymised UK example involved a platform’s safety team noticing multiple job adverts targeting migrant workers, with repeated complaints about fees and withheld documents. The platform followed its trust and safety procedures: removing non-compliant content, preserving relevant data, and making a safeguarding-based report to law enforcement. Concerns were then managed by specialist units, with potential victims offered support pathways, including consideration of NRM referral by authorised professionals.
Retailers, fashion brands and beauty businesses operating in the UK may face trafficking and modern slavery risks both in UK-based operations and in extended supply chains. Risks can occur in warehousing, logistics, salons, nail bars and garment production, sometimes through labour providers or complex subcontracting arrangements. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 transparency requirements encourage larger organisations to assess and manage these risks.
In one anonymised UK case, local authority officers received repeated community concerns about a nail bar where workers appeared very young and rarely left the premises. Following local safeguarding procedures, officers coordinated with trading standards, police and other agencies to carry out checks. Indicators of labour exploitation were identified and potential victims were signposted to specialist support, with referrals into the NRM made by authorised professionals.
Hotels, guest houses, Airbnb-style lets, transport providers and travel agencies in the UK may encounter situations linked to trafficking and modern slavery. Exploitation can be associated with short-term stays, business accounts, tour groups or private bookings, sometimes alongside legitimate guest activity. Staff awareness and clear escalation routes are central to managing these risks safely.
An anonymised UK scenario involved reception and housekeeping staff observing repeated late-night visitors to the same rooms and guests who seemed frightened of a main booker. Staff followed the hotel’s modern slavery and safeguarding guidance: completing incident logs, informing management and contacting the police using non-emergency channels. Law enforcement and partner agencies then assessed risk, and potential victims were supported through established safeguarding and NRM pathways.
Farms, food processing sites and seasonal labour schemes in the UK can be vulnerable to labour exploitation and trafficking, particularly where work is low-paid, temporary or subcontracted. Workers may arrive through recruitment agencies, labour providers or informal networks, including under licensed schemes. UK regulators and assurance schemes expect businesses to manage these risks through due diligence and responsible recruitment.
In an anonymised UK case, a packing facility’s HR team noticed multiple workers paid into the same bank account and reports of excessive deductions for accommodation. The business followed its modern slavery policy, involving senior management, the licensed labour provider, and where necessary the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA). Concerns about potential victims were shared with the local authority and police, with referrals into the NRM considered by appropriate agencies.
Construction sites, cleaning contracts and facilities management services in the UK often rely on complex subcontracting and flexible labour. This can create vulnerabilities where workers are recruited informally, lack documentation, or are paid through intermediaries. Exploitation may occur alongside legitimate contracts, with workers moved between sites and given limited information about their rights.
An anonymised UK example involved a facilities management client receiving concerns from security staff about cleaners being collected late at night in overcrowded vehicles and appearing afraid. The client escalated the issue through its supplier management and whistleblowing channels, triggering an internal investigation and liaison with the cleaning contractor, local authority and police. Where indicators of modern slavery were identified, potential victims were signposted to specialist services and considered for NRM referral.
Professionals in the NHS, social care, education and community services in the UK are often well placed to notice indicators of trafficking and modern slavery. Individuals may present with health, safeguarding, housing or education needs, while underlying control or exploitation remains hidden. UK safeguarding frameworks expect practitioners to recognise signs of abuse, follow local safeguarding procedures and work in partnership with specialist agencies.
In an anonymised UK scenario, a hospital safeguarding team became concerned about a patient accompanied by an individual who refused to leave the consultation room and held the patient’s documents. Staff followed NHS safeguarding policies, ensured a private discussion, and made a safeguarding referral to the local authority. Multi-agency partners, including the police, considered the need for an NRM referral. Clinical staff focused on care, documentation and safe information sharing, rather than direct intervention with suspected perpetrators.
Trafficking and modern slavery can affect many industries in complex and often hidden ways. Risks may sit within otherwise legitimate operations, supply chains and services, making them harder to identify without structured awareness, due diligence and collaboration. No single organisation can address these issues alone, but each has a responsibility to understand its exposure and respond appropriately within UK law and safeguarding frameworks.
Organisations can promote safe, responsible action by ensuring staff are trained to recognise indicators, know how to record and escalate concerns, and understand when information may need to be shared with safeguarding leads, modern slavery leads, the police, the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline or, where appropriate, through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) by authorised professionals. Internal policies should emphasise professional boundaries, confidentiality and the primacy of safety. Staff should not attempt to intervene directly with suspected perpetrators or individuals they are worried about, but instead follow agreed procedures and work with specialist agencies.
Trafficking and modern slavery are often hidden within ordinary streets, workplaces and homes. Community awareness, combined with clear routes for safe reporting, is essential to identifying more victims and reducing harm.
The NRM is the UK’s framework for identifying and supporting potential victims of modern slavery and trafficking. It is accessed through authorised First Responders, including police, certain NGOs, local authorities and some governmental bodies.
Rahab’s Daughters UK does not make NRM decisions. Our role is to empower organisations and communities to recognise potential victims and work effectively with statutory partners who hold legal powers and responsibilities.
Whether you are a UK business, public authority, school, charity or faith community, we can help you strengthen your response to modern slavery and human trafficking through evidence-based training, policy support and sector‑specific guidance.
Rahab’s Daughters UK is committed to evidence‑based, survivor‑informed and legally compliant practice. We work alongside UK institutions to build systems that prevent exploitation and ensure that when it is identified, victims can be safely supported through recognised mechanisms such as the NRM.
Use the form below to request training, discuss partnership opportunities or commission an industry‑specific workshop. We do not operate an emergency response service. If someone is at immediate risk, call 999 or follow your organisational emergency procedures.