HTF Advisory Forum Newsletter 15th February

Posted on 16 February 2023

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 1400 individuals working in anti-trafficking. To share information for the newsletter, please contact [email protected]     Announcements Home Affairs Committee Call for Evidence: Human Trafficking Inquiry The Home Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into human trafficking; you can read the call for evidence on their website. As part of its inquiry, the Committee will assess the scale and nature of human trafficking in the UK. It will also investigate whether Government policy, legislation and the criminal justice system can be improved to prevent human trafficking, prosecute perpetrators and protect victims. The deadline for submitting written evidence is 17th March 2023. Please do let other organisations and individuals know about the Committee’s inquiry and call for evidence.  Calling all First Responder Organisations A research project led by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL), in collaboration with the Human Trafficking Foundation, is investigating potential ways to improve the identification of adults with lived experiences of modern slavery in the UK through the examination of existing practice, looking at gaps in identification processes and capturing promising practice in the area. The project pays particular attention to training that is currently in place at and/or for First Responder Organisations (FROs), with a view to assessing its nature and content, as well as its effectiveness. The project team is thus inviting First Responders and frontline workers to take part in this survey, https://survey.sogolytics.com/r/bANnCt which should not take more than 20 minutes to complete, to provide your insights and views on the training you received – or would have wanted to receive – and its effectiveness. More information about the project can be accessed here. The deadline for the survey is 5th March. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Modern Slavery Research Survey Are you a researcher in modern slavery and human trafficking research? Or have you contributed to a modern slavery research project in an advisory or steering capacity? If the answer is ‘yes’ then please complete this survey on equality, diversity and inclusion here. Researchers from the Black and ethnic minority Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET), the University of Nottingham and St. Mary’s University are conducting the survey with the support from the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre. They would like to find out what the is the state of EDI in modern slavery research. For questions, please contact Debbie Ariyo or Liz Such [email protected] [email protected]   Support Survivors to Open a Bank Account and Build Financial Well-being Following the launch of the TRIBE Survivor Financial Empowerment Hub, TRIBE Freedom Foundation is collaborating with Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking and a number of UK high street banks to improve access to financial services for survivors and promote long-term financial well-being. They are calling on banks to implement 12 key actions, to drive survivor financial empowerment. This includes collaborating closely with survivor support organisations to streamline survivor referrals and ensure wider support is clearly signposted. If you are interested in developing new partnerships to support your clients in opening a bank account and accessing wider financial well-being support please contact: Laragh O’Malley [email protected]     Reports & Publications Addressing Vulnerability to Modern Slavery in a Growing Tide of Migration A large number of migrants become victims of modern slavery once they arrive at their destination, having left their homes voluntarily and often migrating through legal channels. Justice & Care’s latest issue brief explores the connection between migration and modern slavery, examining the main structural factors underlying such connection and discussing the growing influence that armed conflict and climate change exert on the migration-modern slavery nexus. The brief also includes possible steps policy-makers, practitioners and other stakeholders could undertake to tackle this issue.  Modern Slavery Core Outcome Set Research Project New research published for the Modern Slavery Core Outcome Set (MSCOS), which is designed to provide a standardised set of core outcomes of support for survivors of modern slavery central to their recovery and wellbeing, providing a framework for research, policy and service provision.The research was conducted by Kings College London, Helen Bamber Foundation, Survivor Alliance, the University of East London and the University of Nottingham, with people with lived experience of modern slavery centrally involved in the project as active participants and researchers. The research project is also launching a Community of Practice, that will make sure that the outcome set is embedded in practice. The full report, research summary and a toolkit for practitioners can be found here. Albanian Trafficking to the UK, Causes, Conflations and Solutions Panel Event Arise, along with Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, hosted a discussion panel in the House of Commons, featuring Dame Sara Thornton, Dr Andi Hoxhaj, and Anxhela Bruci. The panel discussed Albania, new modern slavery legislation, and trafficking.  Discussion was had on Albanian arrivals, changes to the Modern Slavery Act, and how the root causes of Albanian challenges can be addressed for a better future. A link to the panel event summary can be found here. Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains Guidance  The Cabinet Office has published new guidance on addressing modern slavery in Government supply chains aimed at procurement and commercial practitioners at all levels who are operating in Government, but can also be applied by any organisation in the public sector, voluntary or charitable sectors, or the private sector. Read the guidance here. In Pursuit Of Target 8.7: Prioritizing Finance Op-ed This op-ed advocates for the inclusion of a financial approach to human trafficking and other forms of modern slavery as the international community mobilizes efforts to reach target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also brings attention to a new and freely accessible e-learning programme, developed by the Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST) Initiative, which will support government efforts to address modern slavery and human trafficking in Southeast Asia.       Events & Training The Human Trafficking Foundation’s February Advisory Forum HTF invites you to join their upcoming in-person Advisory Forum which  provides an opportunity for anyone working in the anti-trafficking space to come together, network and hear the latest updates on modern slavery policy and practice. The Modern Slavery Unit, Home Office will be presenting at the forum and there will also be announcements on missing unaccompanied asylum seeking children in hotels and concerns around First Responder Organisations’ capacity and training. There will be time for an audience Q&A and sector announcements. There a few final spaces left, register for yours here. 22nd February 9.15am – 12pm, 1 Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8HQ Modern Slavery Compensation: Access to Reparations for Survivors Webinar Join Romildamor for an insightful discussion on the need for reparations for survivors of modern slavery. You will hear from key experts who work diligently under the UK Government’s Compensation Scheme, to ensure that survivors are awarded damages for the harm they have experienced. 7th March 6pm, Atlantic House Holborn Viaduct London EC1A 2FG. Register for your place here. VITA Training Safeguarding Victims of Modern Slavery Webinar The VITA Network is hosting an interactive webinar session on Safeguarding Victims of Modern Slavery. The two-hour interactive webinar will cover modern slavery human trafficking and the health impact, equipping you with knowledge, confidence and transferable consultation skills to safely identify, support and safeguard victims and survivors of this crime.This training is for clinicians, healthcare professionals who consult with patients or anyone whose clinical role requires at least Level 2 Adult Safeguarding. 17th February 12pm, find out more and register here. Supporting People with Complex Trauma Training Opportunity There are a few places remaining on the Snowdrop Project’s forthcoming training on 23rd March. Snowdrop will ensure that you leave the training being able to understand the difference between trauma and complex trauma, identifying symptoms, how to engage relationally from a trauma-informed position, learn grounding and stabilisation techniques to pass on to clients, recognise and manage vicarious trauma in yourself as a practitioner.  For more information and to book a place, visit the website. Making Women Count Report Launch Event Single Homeless Project (SHP) invite you to the launch of a new report, ‘Making Women Count’, which details the process of designing and delivering a first-of-its kind women’s rough sleeping census in London. Chaired by Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, this event highlights new learning, innovative approaches and national recommendations that seek to address the systemic inequalities faced by women who sleep rough. The census, delivered by a coalition of leading homelessness and VAWG charities and supported by London Councils and the GLA, used an innovative methodology to capture data on women’s rough sleeping in a way that has not previously been achieved. 9th March 11am, find out more and register here     Vacancies Rebuild East Midlands Vacancy Rebuild East Midlands is based in Derby, supporting individuals who have experienced human trafficking and modern slavery to overcome the barriers that they might face in starting a new life, free from exploitation and slavery. They are recruiting 2 part time project workers to work with individuals to help them to connect with community resources, build resilience, improve well-being and taking a holistic view to support people’s recovery to live fulfilling lives. For more information about the roles go to their website.  Medaille Trust Vacancies Medaille Trust support survivors of modern slavery who have been abused and exploited, by implementing individualised plans and strategies to enable them to transform their lives and is hiring for two caseworker assistants to join their team in Hillingdon. This service in the Hillingdon area is a family safe house. It is one of ten safe houses across England providing shelter and support to 133 modern slavery survivors every night. For full details and how to apply please visit their website.   Arise Vacancy Arise is recruiting an exceptional candidate to become their new Programmes Director. Closing date for applications is the 6th March with interviews week commencing 13th March, in person or online, where in person is not possible. Full details can be found here.     HTF Resources Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) Consultancy The Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) was established to ensure the expertise of those with lived-experience is embedded in the work of the anti-trafficking sector and is made up of independent consultants who co-work with HTF. LEAP can offer the development and delivery of training (online, pre-recorded and in person), work with organisations to create or redesign training packages, provide expert advice on policy documents, research and guidance on supporting survivors of trafficking, join round tables on specific areas of modern slavery, sit on interview panels, undertake group focus groups and partake in 1 on 1 interviews. Find out more here and submit a request for LEAP consultancy.  New Resources Section on the HTF Website  Useful HTF resources such as London SPOC directory, Survivor Care Standards, London Directory of Services, Ukraine response resources, Survivor Hub and many more can now be accessed through the resources tab on the homepage of our website.  HTF’s Emergency Support Fund The Human Trafficking Foundation’s Trafficking Emergency Support Fund is available to help victims of human trafficking and modern slavery with small one-off grants to meet their immediate needs when no other sources of funding are available. Application form and guidelines are available on our website here. 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] Updated 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 access to the directory or for any amendments. 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