For professionals
You may encounter an exploited person in healthcare, education, social services, hotels, transport, construction, restaurants, cleaning, beauty services or many other settings.
Start with safety and immediate needs
Do not try to run your own criminal investigation. Focus on immediate safety, needs and whether the person can speak without a controlling person present. Document according to your organisation’s rules and contact the appropriate function when concern exists.
Use the national NSPM guidance
NSPM provides a national manual for suspected human trafficking. Its professional advice line is 020-39 00 00 and, according to NSPM, is staffed weekdays 09:00–15:00 with a lunch closure 12:00–13:00. Regional coordinators can provide operational support and help coordinate interventions.
When children are involved
The child’s safety and rights must be central. The National Board of Health and Welfare provides a dedicated handbook for social services on children in international trafficking and exploitation, as well as training material on sexual exploitation.
Build simple internal procedures
Organisations likely to encounter exploitation should have a simple internal procedure covering who staff contact, how urgent risk is handled, confidentiality and documentation, and which external expertise should be involved.
Resources
Professional support routes checked 20 August 2026