HTF Advisory Forum Newsletter 12th June

Posted on 17 June 2024

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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].     Announcements Update to the Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance An update to the definition of sexual exploitation for the purposes of modern slavery decision making was made to paragraphs 2.26 to 2.36 of the Guidance on 31st May 2024. The Guidance includes a framework for considering whether an individual is more or less likely to be a victim of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. This framework outlines factors such as frequency of exploitation, number of offenders involved in the offence, and whether the offender profited monetarily, socially, or politically from the offence. Anti-Trafficking Sector Survey: Non-Statutory First Responder Capacity In the past couple of weeks some non-statutory First Responders have had to turn down requests for referrals due to lack of capacity. To find out more, Kalayaan and ATMG are reaching out to anti-trafficking NGOs, healthcare workers, legal practitioners and other statutory or non-statutory organisations who support survivors accessing First Responders to take part in this survey. They are aiming to produce a short statement with an analysis of how the situation affects potential survivors’ ability to access support in the NRM, and how it impacts non-statutory First Responders. Deadline: Friday, 21st June at 5pm.      Reports and Publications Victim Support 2025 (VS25) Consultation with Survivors of Modern Slavery Briefing The Human Trafficking Foundation was commissioned by the Home Office in March 2024 to provide a consultation with adults with lived experience of modern slavery to inform the design of the new Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract ‘Victim Support 2025 (VS25)’. The consultation was an opportunity to hear from survivors who received support under the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract since January 2021, to understand what support is working well and what would be helpful to provide in the future. Read the consultation briefing here.  A Renewed Vision for the Fight Against Modern Slavery in the UK The Centre for Social Justice and Justice & Care have published a report calling for fresh political leadership in the fight against slavery in the UK. It includes six recommendations for the next Government, including re-assigning ministerial responsibilities to reflect the true nature of modern slavery, and reviewing and addressing the impact of the recently introduced policy and legislation. Read the report here. Not here for the weather: Ensuring safe and fair conditions on the UK’s Seasonal Worker Scheme Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) have published a report on agricultural work in the UK, which is the third report in their series on the seasonal worker visa. It sheds light on the living and working conditions for workers on the scheme and reveals the extent of systemic risks of labour exploitation on UK farms, where workers face issues such as underpayment, exhaustion, overcrowded and unsafe accommodation, and issues accessing basic healthcare. Read the report here.    Care for Every Child: Unaccompanied children accommodated by the Home Office The High Court has issued its final ruling in the case brought by Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT) UK on the use of hotels to accommodate unaccompanied children. The judgment emphasises that Kent County Council cannot derogate from its duties under the Children Act 1989 and that both the Home Office and Kent County Council should take all steps to ensure that the unlawful situation never arises again. ECPAT have written a briefing on the legal cases and remaining challenges. MSOIC Unit Investigations Overview May 2024 The Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit have published their Non-LEA Overview of Live Modern Slavery Investigations in UK Policing. This document is produced to help inform the work that non-law enforcement agencies are doing in response to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. The document covers data for May 2024. Read the data here. Care Sector Awareness Resources The MSOIC in partnership with the Clewer Initiative have developed an awareness raising resource focused on the Care Sector to support police forces. The resource is primarily aimed at raising awareness to those commissioning care, owning and running residential care properties or working in the care sector on how to spot and report possible exploitation. The resource can be accessed here. The Clewer Initiative have also produced flyers for care providers and for care workers. Feedback on these resources are welcomed and can be given here.     Events & Training Knowledge Sharing Sessions The Human Trafficking Foundation is hosting a series of Knowledge Sharing sessions for the anti-slavery sector. The Knowledge Sharing sessions differ from the HTF Advisory Forums by solely having one organisation speaking on a specific topic. Please click the links below for more information on the upcoming sessions and to sign up:  Cognitive Impairment and Modern Slavery (University of Nottingham Rights Lab) 13th June 12pm-1pm  Spiritual and Ritual Abuse (Prism Training Ltd) 16th July 12pm-1pm Overseas Domestic Workers (Kalayaan and Voice of Domestic Workers) 1st August 12pm-1pm Homelessness and Modern Slavery (The Passage) 18th September 12pm-1pm If you have a topic of expertise that you would like to share with the sector, or if there is a topic that you would like to learn about, please contact [email protected]. From Exploitation to Employment: The UK’s first jobs website for Modern Slavery survivors Bright Future Co-operative are hosting a webinar to launch the UK’s first dedicated jobs website so more modern slavery survivors from across the UK can enter employment, rebuild their lives, and take control over their futures. Run by Causeway, this referral platform will enable organisations to find work opportunities for the survivors they support, and for businesses to advertise jobs, build an inclusive workforce, and support survivors to build careers and confidence in their recovery journey. Thursday 20th June 11am-12pm. Register for the event here.   International Organization for Migration Online Workshop IOM Hungary is currently conducting a project to strengthen transnational cooperation between the United Kingdom and Hungary to identify and support survivors of modern slavery. As part of this project, IOM Hungary is conducting an online workshop on Monday 17th June 9am-12.30pm to provide UK stakeholders an overview of the state of play in Hungary and to build and strengthen collaboration between stakeholders in both countries to better support survivors. Please contact Marton Berkes to register. A Discussion: Action Plan For Survivor Leadership in the Next Decade The Action Plan for Survivor Leadership was developed by over 200 survivors of human trafficking under the guidance and facilitation of Survivor Alliance. Survivor Alliance, Walk Free, Azadi, and Porticus are facilitating this event to discuss this action plan, and how it can serve as a model for lived experience engagement in movement building. Tuesday 18th June 9am-10.30am. Register here.  Launch of the RENATE Research The Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation (RENATE) are launching new research entitled: ‘Legal Practitioners Work with Victims of Human Trafficking, Training Required to Undertake this Work and Resources to Aid them in Five Countries: Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain and United Kingdom’. This research builds upon previous RENATE research in the same countries that looked specifically at the legal assistance for victims of trafficking. The event is taking place both online and in-person, at St Mary’s campus (Shannon Suite) TW1 4SX. Thursday 4th July 3pm-5pm. Register here. International Anti-Human Trafficking Network (IAHTN) In-Person Event  The IAHTN are hosting an in-person event for UK based organisation with an international anti-trafficking response in their remit, featuring presentations on the theme of technology and trafficking. They will be joined by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Home Office, who will share about their work on international anti-trafficking work to date. The meeting is in-person only. Wednesday 19th June 2pm-4pm in London. Please contact Fraser Maclean or Tribeni Gurung for the location and how to register. Lucy Faithfull Foundation and NWG Network Conference Lucy Faithfull Foundation and NWG Network are hosting an in-person conference that aims to hear a frontline perspective on how framing services, interventions, actions and projects within a public health approach to preventing child sexual abuse can have a big impact on protecting children from harm, learn how the trends are changing, the methods used by people who offend, and what new initiatives are out there to tackle the problems. Tuesday 16th July 9am-4.35pm. 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP. Register here.  Building a Safe Space This research project launch webinar, hosted by the University of Nottingham and Causeway, will explore the topic of optimising maternity care for survivors of modern slavery by co-creating supporting resources for women and professionals. Tuesday 23rd July 11am-12pm. Link to the event here. The Wilberforce Business Academy Events The Wilberforce Business Academy are hosting a number of upcoming events, including Identifying and Supporting Victims of Modern Slavery (Friday 21st June 2pm-2.45pm), Modern Slavery and Labour Exploitation in UK Hotel Chains (Friday 5th July 2pm-2.45pm), and Modern Slavery: How to Recognise Different Forms of Exploitation (Friday 6th September 2pm-2.45pm).     Vacancies Rebuild  Rebuild work across Derby and Derbyshire providing long term support to adults who are recovering from the impact of modern slavery. They are currently recruiting for the roles of Initial Support Lead (Deadline: 12pm 1st July) and Project Worker (Deadline: 12pm 24th June).  The Medaille Trust 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 for a Senior Modern Slavery Case Worker in Southampton (Deadline: 28th June) and a Modern Slavery Case Work Assistant (Deadline: 28th June). Find out more and apply here. Bramber Bakehouse  Bramber Bakehouse offer support for female survivors with experience of trauma and exploitation with activities such as baking workshops, wellbeing support, transferable life skills and ongoing support to equip women with skills to move forward. They are currently recruiting for a Programme Coordinator (Deadline: Midnight on 16th June).  Adavu Adavu provide long term support to adult survivors of modern slavery, advocates for justice, and raises awareness and understanding of modern slavery amongst voluntary, community and faith groups. They are currently recruiting for a Support Caseworker (Deadline: Midnight on 30th June) and a Volunteer Coordinator (Deadline: Midnight on 30th June). The Salvation Army The Salvation Army is the Prime Contractor responsible for delivering the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract. They are currently recruiting for a Modern Slavery Policy Analyst (Deadline:30th June).   Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) FLEX work to bring about change by carrying out research, influencing policy, engaging businesses, running training programmes, and working together with workers and other organisations. They are currently recruiting for an Outreach Worker (Deadline: 23rd June) in Northeast Scotland, a Business Accountability Officer (Deadline: 30th June) and a Communications Officer (Deadline: 7th July). Find out more and apply here.  International Organization for Migration (IOM) IOM delivers a range of programmes to support migrants, both in the UK and internationally, including projects focusing on migrant protection, human trafficking and modern slavery. They are recruiting for a Senior Project Associate (Deadline: 25th June). Find out more and apply here. A21  A21 work to support survivors of modern slavery and disrupt the demand. They are recruiting for an Intervention and Safeguarding Coordinator. Apply here.     HTF Resources   Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) Consultancy Ready to take your anti-trafficking efforts to new heights? 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, provide expert advice on policy documents, and more. 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, 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 guidelines and complete an application form here on behalf of your client and email it to [email protected]. 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 gain access or to make 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].

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