People urged to be alert to signs of exploitation

The One World Centre's campaign aims to highlight the signs of exploitation

People on the Isle of Man have been urged to make themselves aware of the signs of modern slavery and exploitation.

At last week's Government Conference, the government said an extension of modern slavery legislation was being considered on the island.

Wendy Shimmin from the One World Centre said while people may "think of the island as a safe place to live", it was "not immune to the risks of exploitation".

The organisation is running a campaign to highlight the signs of exploitation and encourage those affected or concerned about others to get help as the island could "not be complacent", she said.

The drive features a series of posters outlining the forms in which modern slavery can take, such as sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced marriage, or workers being brought to the island with false documents or on the promise of a false job.

The campaign also highlights that if a young person has unexplained cash or new belongings, are travelling to unusual places, or are frequently out or missing from home they could be being exploited.

Ms Shimmin said The term modern slavery was "not very well understood" but everyone should be "vigilant to the signs".

Although there had been prosecutions using other pieces of legislation, specific laws would "give us a better picture of the extent of the issue", she said.

Local graphic artist Tony Garland helped to design the posters for the campaign

Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson Poole-Wilson announced at last week's conference that consideration was being given to the extension of modern slavery legislation to the island "specifically to look at those who might be exploited through human trafficking and immigration crime".

"It is important to say we do have some legislation and have been dealing with cases using it, but the question is whether we need to enhance our legislative position to provide the tools to deal with any future cases," she said.

The government priority was "to try and prevent this type of criminality and this type of issue arising on the island", she added.

The move was part of the Securing Our Island strategy, which aims to tighten security at the island's borders following growing concerns about drugs, weapons, modern slavery, and other criminal activities.