How debt bondage can happen

Exploiters may provide items which they claim are ‘free’ but aren’t

Chantelle thought the alcohol and weed she had been getting from Jon was free, but it wasn’t and when he called in the debt and Chantelle couldn’t pay, he offered her a way to work off the debt by delivering a package 50 miles away. It was made clear, not paying was not an option.

Exploiters may use entrapment techniques, which often involve setting the child or adult at risk up to be ‘robbed’ to create a perceived debt. The child or adult are now responsible for repaying the money or drugs; effectively ‘working’ for free.

On her way to deliver the package, Chantelle was robbed, and they took everything, Chantelle now owed her original debt and was responsible for what was taken. She couldn’t pay either, she was told she could work off what she owed, and it was made clear again not paying back the debt was not an option.

Exploiters may deliberately give drug users more drugs than they are trying to buy. This encourages the drug user to use more drugs than they have paid for in order to create a debt, providing the exploiter opportunities to force the user into activity to repay this.

Tim had been low on money lately but his dealer had allowed him to have his drugs on credit, Tim hadn’t realised that his use had gone up and he had a very large debt, his dealer gave him the option to work it off by taking drugs to a house he was using in the North, he was told he would have to stay there a week selling and his debt would be cleared. What Tim didn’t realise was his dealer wouldn’t be allowing him to clear his debt, so he could continue exploiting him.

Listen to a parent’s story about how her son became trapped in debt bondage:

Find out how to spot the signs of debt bondage

How offenders make children responsible for the debt

The seizure of drugs and/or money by police upon arrest can result in the exploiters holding the victim responsible for items that are lost.

Family members, carers or others may find drugs or other valuable items that a victim is holding on behalf of an exploiter and dispose of them. Many parents report they have thrown or flushed items away, wanting to protect their child. This can result in the exploiters holding the individual accountable for the value of the items lost.

Children and adults may be encouraged to hold or store money in their own bank accounts on behalf of an exploiter. If bank accounts are closed or the money is lost, the victim may be expected to repay this, either financially or through other means including distributing drugs on behalf of the criminal group or by any other activity that benefits the exploiter.

Rival groups or drug users may rob an individual of drugs, money, and other items they are holding on behalf of the exploiters. The child or adult can be held responsible for the cost of the stolen items.

Increased debt = Increased ‘work’ = Increased risk to the child or young person

Things to consider before paying off a debt

How debt can be transferred to others

Family members including parents, younger siblings, friends or other contacts may be forced to assume a debt incurred by the individual being exploited. Examples of this include:

When the victim who originally incurred the debt is relocated to another area.
When a victim with a debt receives a criminal sentence and is remanded in custody.
Or when a parent or family member requests the transfer of the debt from the victim to them in a desperate attempt to protect them.

Find out how you can help your child