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Debt bondage
If you’re being told you’re in debt, worried about your safety, or you’re having to do things to pay someone back then you’re not alone. It’s never too late to get support.
Content warning: This page mentions of sexual abuse
What is debt bondage?
Debt bondage is when someone forces or pressures you to do things and they tell you that you’re in their debt. They may say that you owe them money, drugs, or something you’ve been given.
Sometimes you might be told you’re in debt without being given a reason, or as an excuse to threaten you.
You might be forced to:
- work for someone to pay them back
- deliver packages or hold onto things
- do something sexual, or send sexual images
- commit crimes or take part in something illegal
- hurt someone, or do other jobs for them.
You might be told you owe someone money or that you owe them for something you thought was a gift. Whatever’s happening, you don’t have to deal with it alone. You can speak to us any time and get confidential support.
Is debt bondage the same as other debt?
No. Normally, if you’re going into debt with a bank or someone in your life, you’ll agree the terms beforehand and it should be clear how you’ll pay anything back or return what’s been lent to you.
It’s not okay for someone to change their mind about what you owe them, make up debts or decide that you owe them for things without telling you beforehand.
5 things to remember:
- Nobody has the right to force you to do things because you ‘owe’ them
- If you’re being told to deliver things, you can get support
- There are ways to get support for you and people you care about
- If someone tells you you’re in their debt, get support as soon as possible
- You’re not alone
Dealing with debt bondage
If you’re being threatened or forced to do things because of a debt, there are things you can do:
Talk to someone
Telling someone what’s happening can help you to find ways to deal with the debt, get support and feel safer.
If you’re struggling to talk to someone in your life, you call us for free on 0800 1111 or talk online whenever it’s safe to. You can also speak to the police any time or call 999 in an emergency.
Think about safety
Being safe means that you’re not being threatened or forced to do things that are against the law. You’ve always got the right to feel safe.
If you’re worried about your safety:
- Make a safety plan for if something happens
- Think about when it’s safest to call or text someone for support
- Cover your tracks when you reach out for support
- Always talk to the police or someone who’s working with you if you’re being threatened
Get help to cope
You deserve support with anything that’s happening in your life. No matter what’s going on, there are ways to get through it:
- Get support with your mental health
- Cope with difficult thoughts or memories
- Speak to your GP or a Childline counsellor
- Use the Calm Zone to cope right now
it felt good
to talk
Where to get help
There are lots of organisations here to support you:
- Childline
Childline is here 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Talk to us online or on the phone about anything that’s happening. Find out more about our confidentiality promise. - SafeCall
Call or text Safecall on 116 000 to get free, confidential support if you’re being told to carry drugs or weapons, or you’re involved in a gang. Find out more. - Fearless
Give information about any crime anonymously and without fear of judgement. Find out more. - Police
If you’re worried about your safety, or the safety of anyone else, you can always speak to the police. - People in your life
Remember that anyone that’s working with you is there to support you. You can talk to them or another adult you trust about anything that’s happening.
Worrying about talking
There are lots of reasons you might not want to get support, you might:
- Be scared about things getting worse or someone getting hurt
- Not trust anyone enough to speak to
- Want to deal with it yourself
- Think that nothing can be done
The only way to change things is to get the right support to help you and the people around you. If you’re worried about what will happen next, you can speak to us or to Safecall confidentially to talk about your options before you decide anything.
Planning when to talk
It can help to think about the best time to ask for support. If you’ve been taken to a trap house, you’re going country, or you’re alone then it may be a good time to ask for support.
It can help to think about times when you’ll have some privacy, and you know you won’t be disturbed. It can also help to think about how to cover your tracks if you speak online or call.
Get more support
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