Human Trafficking Newsletter 29th September

Posted on 4 October 2022

Advisory Forum Newsletter This newsletter is an opportunity for Human Trafficking Foundation (HTF) Forum members to publicise events, projects, research, campaigns and job opportunities. You can see recordings or download minutes of our previous online events here.  This newsletter goes out to over 1300 individuals working in anti-trafficking. To share information for the newsletter, please contact [email protected]     Reports & Publications Ukrainian Refugees in the UK and the Risk of Homelessness Report The Work Rights Centre have published their new report entitled ‘six months on: the UK’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and how the Government can better protect refugees.’ This report draws on real-life case studies and a survey of 191 Ukrainians and finds that without urgent Government action, Ukrainian refugees face a real risk of homelessness this winter and details key recommendations to mitigate the issue. Read the report here.  Joint Response on Access to Legal Advice   Access to legal advice is crucial for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery but ATLEU’s survey to frontline support and advocacy organisations found a gulf in the availability of legally aided advice for survivors, leading to destitution, trauma, and exposure to further exploitation. In a joint response to a government consultation on immigration legal aid funding, 10 anti-trafficking organisations call for action to address the causes of this legal advice crisis – the legal aid funding system. Exploitation in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme Local Authorities Briefing  In this briefing, three councils share details of cases of modern slavery identified in their areas and provide information on what worked well and suggest recommendations for how the response could be strengthened. By sharing their good practice and challenges, the local authorities hope that other councils will take steps to prevent and investigate modern slavery within the Homes for Ukraine scheme in their locality and ensure support is available for any victims identified.     Announcements Introducing The Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) The Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) has been established to ensure the expertise of those with lived-experience is embedded in the work of the anti-trafficking sector. The LEAP is made up of independent consultants who co-work with the Human Trafficking Foundation on commissioned projects and training requests from the sector. The LEAP offers the delivery of modern slavery training and can provide expert advice on policy, research documents and guidance on supporting survivors of modern slavery. For more information and detail on how to submit a request for LEAP consultancy visit the HTF website.  Vavengers London Pop-up Support Hubs  The Vavengers hubs are the UK’s first and only pop-up holistic support and wellness spaces, led by Community Ambassadors who are experienced in the field or survivors of female genital mutilation / cutting or Gender-Based Violence. The workshops offer wellbeing sessions, talks on all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls, distribution of food and essential items such as period products and are a safe space for women and girls who want to get information and referral on support services available in the UK. Please use the following link here, to refer women who may need this service.  The Anti-Slavery Awards Media Voting Now Open The annual Anti-Slavery Day awards recognise the important role played by the media in raising awareness and those organisations and individuals going above and beyond in fighting modern slavery. This year the winners of the media categories will be chosen by a public vote and announced at the awards ceremony in October. Voting is open until the 30th of September and is open to all. See the shortlist and vote here. The Outstanding Contributions categories shortlist can be found here, and will be chosen by a panel of expert judges.  The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants Survey ‘We Are Here’ is a Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants campaign to make life easier for undocumented people in the UK, which calls on the Government to break the cycle of complicated and expensive immigration rules making people undocumented. If you have ever been undocumented, or had precarious immigration status in the UK, the JCWI would like to hear from you to hear your views on the campaign and what changes would make the biggest difference to you. The survey can be found here and takes 10-15 minutes to complete.  The Children’s Society’s Look Closer Campaign  The Children’s Society’s latest #Look Closer campaign begins 3rd October, this is a national partnership campaign with the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre and the British Transport Police aiming to raise awareness of child exploitation and abuse, with a particular focus on public spaces This year there is a focus on gender and how assumptions can impact the way we safeguard and support young victims of exploitation. This will include a new resource for professionals and a new session on their Programme of Learning and includes asking professionals to consider how they can be more inclusive of trans and non-binary young people, to better protect them from harm.   Survivor Support Emergency Fund The Human Trafficking Foundation established the survivor support emergency fund to help survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery with small one-off grants of up to £200 to meet their immediate needs when no other sources of funding are available. Information including how to apply is available on our website please email [email protected] with completed application forms or any questions.     Events & Training LGA Modern Slavery Webinar  To mark anti-slavery day, the LGA is hosting a webinar to launch our refreshed council guide on tackling modern slavery. This webinar, which will be hosted in partnership with the Human Trafficking Foundation, will provide an overview of the guidance and accompanying maturity index that have been designed to support the work of councils to tackle modern slavery in our communities. The Human Trafficking Foundation will also provide an overview of its recent report on approaches to tackling modern slavery in London. The event is free for LGA members and you can book your place on the LGA’s website. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Webinar on Child Labour Join this webinar where experts in the field will discuss current challenges in the eradication of child labour in the Commonwealth and across sectors, including in supply chains, cocoa, agricultural and tourism sector. The experts will also reflect on good practices to address these challenges and to advance towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7. Register here, 5th October 11am.  The Chocolate War Film Screening  The Chocolate War, directed by Miki Mistrati, follows a human rights lawyer as he works to convict Nestlé and Cargill of systematically exploiting children in Ivory Coast cocoa production. Join the film screening in person or virtually12th October 6.30pm, University Women’s Club. Find out more and book your ticket here. UK Labour Visa Schemes and Exploitation Forum Recording The Human Trafficking Foundation hosted an online forum to explore the unintended consequences of visa schemes in the UK. The terms of short term labour visas can often create precarious working environments and leave workers at risk of exploitation and even forced labour. Migrant workers report low wages, violence and discrimination, debt bondage, long hours, recruitment fees and visa conditions that mean they are tied to their employers. Watch the online forum here, along with all past HTF forums.      Vacancies Commonwealth 8.7 Network Vacancy CHRI UK is hiring a Partnerships and Engagement Coordinator to support the design and delivery of its project and programmes, in particular the programme on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, and lead the overall coordination of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network. Find out more here. ATLEU Vacancy ATLEU is looking for a Lead Training Lawyer (Immigration/Public Law Solicitor) to join their legal team who provide specialist representation to survivors of trafficking and work on emerging issues affecting survivors, often involving strategic litigation and working with partners to effect change for this hugely vulnerable group. Found out more here. Stronger Together Vacancy Srtonger Together is looking to recruit a part time Project Coordinator to provide administrative and project management support as a key member of the Stronger Together Spain team, ensuring that activities are appropriately coordinated, and excellent customer service is provided. Find out more here (deadline has now been extended until the 7th October).      HTF Resources HTF’s Survivor Hub  Survivor advocates and HTF have created an online Survivor Hub, a place for survivors to find opportunities for work and paid research participation, to find resources on education, housing support, the NRM, mental health support and includes directories of support providers and legal advisors across the country. Please share this widely in your networks. If your organisation has resources or opportunities that you would like included please email [email protected] London Directory of Services  HTF has created a Directory of Services, bringing together details of support agencies for survivors of modern slavery across London. The Directory is a live document, with more organisations added all the time. Access it now on our website under resources. If there is an organisation you think should be included, or to amend any information please email [email protected]. Mapping Survivor Support Services Our map of UK survivor support services aims to be a useful tool for people working with survivors to see what services are available in their area. View the map here. If your organisation provides support of any kind to survivors of trafficking and would like to be added to the map, please email jasmine@humantraffickingfoundation.org  London Modern Slavery SPOC Directory  The Human Trafficking Foundation has been working with local authorities in the Greater London area to support the development of their response to modern slavery and human trafficking. As part of this, we produce an annual directory of Modern Slavery Single Points of Contact/Champions in statutory authorities across London including representatives within the NHS, police and local authorities. Please contact [email protected] to request a copy of the directory. The directory is currently being updated, please email [email protected] with any amendments.