Slavery is often discussed in the past tense, as if it no longer exists and hasn’t for quite some time. But the Global Slavery Index notes: “Modern slavery is hidden in plain sight and is deeply intertwined with life in every corner of the world.” Unlike in the past where individuals were openly bought and sold, the current form of slavery is often hidden from public view. This contemporary exploitation, commonly referred to as “modern-day slavery,” represents one of the most significant human rights violations of our time.
What is Modern Day Slavery?
Although modern slavery is not defined in law, it is used as an umbrella term covering practices such as forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking. The United Nations defines it as “situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power.” (United Nations)
Prevalent Forms of Modern Day Slavery
The most common types of modern day slavery are:
Sex Trafficking
“Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, where such commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.”
Forced Labor
“For the purposes of this Convention the term forced or compulsory labour shall mean all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.”
Debt Bondage
“Debt bondage, that is to say, the status or condition arising from a pledge by a debtor of his personal services or of those of a person under his control as security for a debt, if the value of those services as reasonably assessed is not applied towards the liquidation of the debt or the length and nature of those services are not respectively limited and defined.”
Domestic Servitude
“Domestic servitude is when a domestic worker is not free to leave his or her employment and forced to work for little or no pay.”
Child Exploitation
Sexual exploitation of children involves the use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions.
Child Labour
Work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.
Forced Marriage
A marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without their consent or against their will.
Recent Stories
Our Rescue has launched Operation Global Impact 2025, a coordinated six-week international surge operation targeting human trafficking networks across 10 countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. This comprehensive effort has already achieved significant results, with 18 law enforcement actions completed—13 in Latin America and 5 in Asia—resulting in 26 arrests and the rescue of 17 children from sex trafficking and exploitation. The operation represents a new surge model that allows Our Rescue teams to provide agile, purpose-built support to law enforcement agencies worldwide, including specialized equipment, case assistance, logistical support, and trauma-informed survivor care. This coordinated approach demonstrates the power of international collaboration in dismantling criminal networks and protecting the most vulnerable victims of modern slavery.
Our Rescue assists in cases like these weekly to enhance and champion the efforts of domestic and international law enforcement agencies. We also help identify, intervene, and dismantle trafficking networks. These strategic collaborations prioritize the rescue and protection of survivors, aid in the prosecution of predators, and deliver justice while restoring hope.
The Magnitude of Modern Day Slavery
Today, there are 49.6 million people in modern slavery worldwide, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). This is an increase of 9.3 million from the previous estimate given by the ILO in 2016.
While these statistics are extremely alarming, they only reflect reported numbers. With a lack of consistency in reporting worldwide combined with what goes unnoticed, it is very likely even more people are living in modern day slavery.
Modern Slavery Statistics
According to the ILO:
– Almost four out of five victims of commercial sexual exploitation are women or girls
– 86% of forced labor cases are found in the private sector
– 22 million people were estimated to be living in forced marriage on any given day in 2021
Modern Day Slavery in the United States
In the United States, it is estimated that 1,091,000 people live in modern day slavery, which equals about 3.3 victims for every 1,000 people in the country. (Walk Free Global Slavery Index)
The Global Fight Against Modern Day Slavery
The international community recognizes the importance of collaboration to end slavery in all forms. Government agencies and non-governmental organizations across the globe like Our Rescue are in the fight together. This united approach is required because the issue is too large to ignore – too large to leave to any one government or entity.
Help Make A Difference
Awareness is the first line of defense against any crime, including modern day slavery. By understanding the signs of trafficking and exploitation, we can all play a role in identifying and reporting potential cases of modern day slavery.
Learn more about how you can join the fight against modern day slavery and support survivors here.