Noone wants to find evidence of modern slavery in a business and it is not always clear what steps to take.
When asked if they would know how to report suspicions of modern slavery, only 52% of attendees at the Chartered Accountants Worldwide Network USA event said they would.
ICAEW’s guidance is that if you suspect that someone is a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking DO NOT approach or confront them as you may put them or even yourself in danger.
Tackling the problem involves collaboration between governments, police, immigration officers, NGOs and many others. This collaboration is pivotal to overcoming this global issue, as it will facilitate the sharing of data and knowledge, and help develop appropriate solutions to detect, investigate, and prosecute modern slavery cases and strive to eliminate it. As Bebbington puts it: “Accountants can’t deliver sustainability, but we will not progress towards sustainability without the accountants. We are necessary but not sufficient. So realising that and making good friends to help ‘necessary’ to become ‘sufficient’ is where it’s at.”