Human Trafficking Foundation Newsletter July 2023

Posted on 20 July 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 fortnightly newsletter goes out to over 1,500 individuals working in anti-trafficking. To share information for the newsletter, please contact [email protected]

Reports and Publications Updated Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance, July 2023The Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance was updated on 10th July, following a judicial review challenge that led to the Home Secretary agreeing to withdraw, reconsider and revise parts of the Guidance in relation to the Reasonable Grounds (RG) decision. Previously, the Guidance stated that a decision-maker must base the RG decision on objective factors. In the new Guidance, whilst the RG threshold is still an objective one, a decision maker should take into account “all the information available”. There is also a completely new section on the decision-making process which further details how decision-makers must “consider explanations for gaps in evidence”. Due to these changes, First Responders are encouraged to submit reconsideration requests for any victim that they referred into the NRM that received a negative RG decision between 30th January and 10th July. MSOIC Unit Investigations Overview The Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit have published their Non-LEA Overview of Live Modern Slavery Investigations in UK Policing.The document covers data for June 2023, and is produced to help inform the work that non-law enforcement agencies are doing in response to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Read the document here. University of Stirling Research: Survivor-Informed Support for Trafficked Children in Scotland New research has been published titled ‘Survivor-Informed Support for Trafficked Children in Scotland’, undertaken by The University of Stirling, supported by Just Right Scotland and Terre Des Hommes and funded by MSPEC. Its key finding was the way in which immigration ‘system trauma’ is the biggest barrier to long-term recovery for children who have experienced human trafficking. The study underlined the need for looking at the long-term approach to supporting trafficked children to improve their recovery and their lives in the long term. It also highlights the ways in which the Illegal Migration Bill is likely to exacerbate this issue. Read the full publication here. BME Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET) Research: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Modern Slavery Research in the UK MSPEC have also funded and published research on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in modern slavery research, conducted by by UK BME Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET), part of AFRUCA Safeguarding Children. The study found that more effort is needed to move beyond equality, diversity and inclusion as a ‘tick-box’ exercise and embed it more meaningfully in research. It was found that EDI is not considered enough throughout the research processes or described comprehensively within research reports. It pointed to collaborating with communities and people with lived experience of modern slavery as key to improving EDI policies and practice. Read the research here. Nottingham Rights Lab Updated Quick Reference Guide As the Home Office have reviewed the Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance based on the Reasonable Ground challenge and the Illegal Migration Bill has passed, Rights Lab have published a review of the commitments government made in relation to implementing Part 5 of the Nationality and Borders Act. The original Quick Reference Guide identified 29 commitments government made during the passage of the Act. The new briefing observes that only five of the 29 commitments have been met, 15 have been partially met and 9 are yet to have been addressed or met. The full briefing can be read here. Enfield Council: Free Contextual Safeguarding Resource Enfield Council have released a free contextual safeguarding resource called Save Me, which includes a short film and professional handbook to be used across all organisations that work with children. The film and handbook can be used to aid discussions, enhance learning and educate children, parents, communities, businesses and professionals around key themes such as grooming, child criminal exploitation, sexual abuse, substance misuse and intimidation control. Access the handbook and film here.

Announcements Nominations Open for Anti-Slavery Day Awards 2023 Do you work with a passionate advocate against modern slavery? Do you know somebody who works tirelessly to improve the lives of their service users? Have you been inspired by a powerful piece of journalism over the last year? The Human Trafficking Foundation has opened up nominations for its annual Anti-Slavery Day Awards, supported by Marsh Charitable Trust. We would be delighted to receive your nominations for both the Media Categories and Outstanding Contributions to the Fight Against Slavery Categories. Completed nomination forms should be sent to [email protected] by Tuesday 1st August 5pm ahead of shortlisting and voting, along with any questions you have about the nomination form.  Nottingham Rights Lab Cognitive Impairment Research Project Survey The University of Nottingham Rights Lab is conducting a study which aims to investigate the connections between cognitive impairments, such as mental ill-health, learning disability or memory-loss, and vulnerabilities to exploitation. They would like a range of front-line workers (in law enforcement, housing, community safety, adult social care) might be interested either to respond to their policy and practice survey or to be interviewed on this topic. To take part in the survey, please click here, and to find out more about interviews, contact [email protected]. St Mary’s University Cultural Competency Research Project: Practitioner Survey The Bakhita Centre at St Mary’s University is requesting practitioners in the anti-trafficking sector who work or have worked with foreign nationals and/or Albanian nationals survivors of trafficking to complete a survey for their latest research. Funded by MSCPEC, the research aims to understand cultural barriers faced in both support-seeking and support-giving journeys. The case study will focus on Albanian nationals, extracting lessons applicable to other cultural groups. They aim to develop evidence-based principles to guide policymakers and practitioners in culturally competent service provision. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes and is accessible until 13th August 2023, at 8 pm. To participate, please follow this link. Migration Yorkshire: Agriculture and Care Visas Research Project Survey As part of their project funded by the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre, Migration Yorkshire has launched a survey to find out about work undertaken by NGOs or other organisations supporting migrant workers in the care and/or agricultural sectors, the main challenges facing these workers, views on the current visa scheme, and how conditions and labour relations could be improved. The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete and is open until the end of July.  Nominations Open for Unseen Business Awards Unseen is now accepting nominations for the first Unseen Business Awards. The Awards seek to recognise the important achievements shown by businesses tackling modern slavery and to inspire other businesses to take on the challenge. If you work with an organisation or a colleague that has committed to promoting social sustainability and deserves recognition for their hard work, you can nominate them. This could be your colleague, your organisation, a supplier, or even yourself! Visit their website to learn more, see the categories and submit your nominations today. The closing date for nominations is 21st July 2023.

Events & Training ATLEU Training  ATLEU has announced two new training sessions for those advising and supporting survivors of modern slavery: · How to Obtain an Award from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme for Survivors of Trafficking and Slavery: 27 September 2023, 2-4 pm, online. · Safeguarding for survivors of modern slavery: 11 October 2023, 10.30 am-12.30 pm, online. More information and book your space here. Emerge Worldwide Conference: Stand for Freedom Emerge Worldwide works to raise awareness and prevention against Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking against women and girls. The conference will focus on education, survivor empowerment and community engagement, and will also include poetry, dance, art and more. More information and registration here. Saturday 5th August, 12-4:00 pm, Fairfield Halls, Croydon. Natashas Project: Restorative Dance Workshops The Natashas Project has resumed its drop-in dance workshops for survivors of modern slavery and exploitation on Thursdays in Bethnal Green, London. On each date they have two types of workshops that individuals are welcome to attend. One workshop is aimed at mothers with their young children (under 5s) and another is just for women (18+) to attend. The next dates are 20th July, 8th August and 24th August. Email [email protected] for details. NWG Event: Human Trafficking Awareness Raising Through Myth Busting To support the 2023 United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the NWG is offering a free session designed to raise awareness of child trafficking. It will provide an overview of the issue in a UK context, using myth-busting to equip attendees with information regarding spotting the signs, supporting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable. 27th, 28th, 30th and 31st July, online. Sign up here.

Vacancies Ella’s Vacancy Ella’s provides frontline support to women survivors of trafficking and exploitation through safe houses, community support and advocacy. They are recruiting a full-time Accommodation Caseworker to provide essential, tailored casework support for survivors living in Ella’s’ newest safe house accommodation, due to open in early August in London. Read more and apply here.  Medaille Trust Vacancies The Medaille Trust provides frontline support to survivors of modern slavery through safe housing, community awareness projects and partnerships with local authorities and law enforcement. They are recruiting a part-time Modern Slavery Case Worker Assistant in Swindon. Applications close Friday 9th June. They are also looking for cleaners in their Thanet safe house. More details and apply on their website. West Midlands Anti-Slavery Vacancy The West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network unites and enables partner organisations to work in collaboration to end modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation. They are looking for an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate, seeking to improve outcomes for adult survivors of slavery and human trafficking. The role involves hybrid working across the West Midlands policing area, 30 hours a week. Full details and how to apply can be found here. Applications close on 1st August.

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 interview. Find out more here and submit a request for LEAP consultancy.  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, and 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]. 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. If you are a support worker, you can see the guidelines and complete an application form here on behalf of your client and email it to [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 [email protected].