Quick Answer
How to stop modern slavery: businesses and individuals can help by learning the warning signs, refusing to buy from organisations that exploit people, supporting anti-slavery organisations, speaking up, choosing ethical suppliers, backing community action and building it into corporate social responsibility. In Australia, entities with $100 million or more in revenue must also report each year on modern slavery risks under the Modern Slavery Act 2018. Report suspected modern slavery to the AFP on 131 AFP (131 237), or call 000 in an emergency.
In this guide
An estimated 50 million people were living in modern slavery on any given day in 2021, including about 41,000 people in Australia, according to Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index. Modern slavery deprives them of their fundamental human rights and undermines their freedom. While anti-slavery organisations fight against the various forms of exploitation, their efforts still fall short when compared to the extent to which this problem prevails. Modern slavery cripples the world economy and human lives.
If not dealt with appropriately, it can lead to a major decline in the acquisition of the right talent pool and the quality of life for many more people. To stop this exploitation, entities with consolidated revenue of $100 million or more are required by the Modern Slavery Act 2018 to submit annual statements on what modern slavery risks they face and what actions they have adopted and planned to prevent it in the future. Businesses can also adopt some of the following methods, including modern slavery and human rights awareness training.
How to Stop Modern Slavery: 7 Ways We Can Help
Battling modern slavery in and around a workplace without the right tools can be baffling. Here are seven practical ways to stop modern slavery. For the legal side, see our guide to modern slavery in Australia and the Modern Slavery Act.
1. Acquire knowledge
Knowledge is power. The more management, employees, volunteers, suppliers, etc. know about this problem, the better their efforts to stop it. Awareness and knowledge of how to identify, report, and help resolve incidences of modern slavery in your workplace and supply chain can go a long way. Modern slavery awareness training can be used to spread more awareness of the causes, characteristics, and ways to resolve and prevent it.
2. Discourage ignorance
Many businesses and people are ignorant of the concept of ‘informed shopping’. Consumers purchase goods or services from organisations that involve direct or indirect modern slavery at various levels of their operations. This ignorant consumer behaviour, in a way, encourages people’s exploitation by engaging with such organisations. It is, therefore, advisable for businesses and individuals to engage with ethical businesses worldwide that discourage modern slavery in any form.
3. Support anti-slavery organisations
While knowledge is good, solely depending on education and training will not help you curb the incidents of modern slavery. This battle also requires appropriate resources from time to time. One of the best ways to keep up ongoing efforts to put an end to modern slavery is by supporting anti-slavery organisations. Businesses of all sizes and industries can help such organisations by donating resources as and when required.
4. Be vocal
Silence is not always golden. Some situations demand people to speak up. If you or your organisation is fighting hard in the trenches against modern slavery, you might as well vocalise your concerns and passion. This will help attract like-minded people in society to team up with you and gain more resources to stop modern slavery.
5. Socialise
Speaking up against this evil can also work better when your social reach is larger. All those fighting against modern slavery must socialise and let more people hear their voices. This socialisation does not only mean mixing with people and arranging events in person. It can also include sharing informative content on social media and holding online events when possible.
6. Encourage volunteers
Once you start socialising and gaining more information, you might realise that you are not alone. You may come across many other volunteers associated with government anti-slavery organisations who are doing their bit. Encouraging and helping them as required can also further their efforts.
7. Corporate social responsibility
Businesses can be involved in many forms of service to the community as part of their corporate social responsibility. You may also look to participate in these efforts and try to stop modern slavery.
Conclusion:
Preventing modern slavery and eliminating it is an intimidating task. But when organisations join hands to provide a safe and respectful workplace to people from all origins and social strata, exploitation can be eradicated. Workplace compliance management systems and online learning courses can help in this process.
Sentrient provides a suite of automated workplace compliance management, learning management, and human resource management solutions that make workplace compliance and the fight against modern slavery easier. Be the change you wish to see in society, and contact Sentrient today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can individuals help stop modern slavery?
Learn the warning signs, ask questions about where products come from, buy from businesses that publish credible modern slavery statements, support anti-slavery organisations and report concerns rather than ignoring them.
2. Which Australian businesses must report on modern slavery?
Entities based or operating in Australia with annual consolidated revenue of $100 million or more must lodge a modern slavery statement each year under the Modern Slavery Act 2018. Smaller businesses can report voluntarily, and many are asked about modern slavery risks by larger customers.
3. Where do you report suspected modern slavery in Australia?
Contact the Australian Federal Police on 131 AFP (131 237) or through its online form. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.
4. How common is modern slavery in Australia?
Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index estimates about 41,000 people were living in modern slavery in Australia on any given day in 2021. Many cases go unreported, so the true number is hard to measure.
Sources
Walk Free, Global Slavery Index
Walk Free, Modern slavery in Australia (country study)
Federal Register of Legislation, Modern Slavery Act 2018
Australian Federal Police, Human trafficking and slavery
Last reviewed: October 2026
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- Modern Slavery – What Is Deceptive Recruitment For Labour Or Service And How Can Training Help
- How Can Modern Slavery Training Help Fight The Worst Forms Of Child Labour
- New Compliance Course Released – Modern Slavery and Human Rights Training Course
