News & Updates
Human Trafficking Foundation Newsletter Aug 2024
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| 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 Request for input to Survivor Support Services Map The Trafficking Survivor Support Services Map was developed to improve understanding of the support services available to survivors of modern slavery throughout the UK. The Human Trafficking Foundation intends to update and relaunch this directory, which is a beneficial resource for survivors and those working in the UK anti-trafficking sector. Currently there are areas of the map where no support services are listed and we are eager that these gaps are filled, where possible, in order to signpost people to appropriate support. We are asking organisations who would like to be represented on the map to fill in the relevant survey which relates to your organisation’s work by the 18th September. Complete the survey relevant to your service type: Accommodation, Post-Identification Casework, Outreach Support and/or Individual Advocacy, Drop-in Services, Legal Advice – Legal Aid, Legal Advice – Non-Legal Aid, Specialist Psychological or Therapeutic Support, Vocational Training or Education and Baby Banks. If you have any questions, please contact Nick. Provision of Research Services for Migrant Victims of Modern Slavery The Greater London Authority (GLA) is seeking to commission research to develop an evidence-based London response to access to protection for survivors of modern slavery. It forms part of a two-year programme that will also seek to develop and trial new ways of working, with the aim to ensure that all survivors of modern slavery can report crimes and access support as victim and survivors first. As part of the tender process, the GLA Migration team will host online Q&A sessions on this programme, where organisations interested in a partnership application can share their details. The sessions will run at 10am on 18th September and 19th September. Application deadline: Friday 4th October. Find out more and apply here. Modern Slavery Guidance – Have Your Say The College of Policing uses the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) as their official source of guidance, helping everyone in policing deliver trusted and effective policing that cuts crime and keeps people safe. They have updated their modern slavery APP to include new legislation and what is working to tackle modern slavery. The guidance is for frontline officers, investigators, supervisors and senior leaders. They are seeking your views on whether the guidance is clear and easy to use. To have your say, read the consultation document, then complete the online questionnaire. Deadline: Tuesday 12th November. National Referral Mechanism Quarter 2 2024 Statistics Published The Home Office has published the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and Duty to Notify Statistics for the second quarter of 2024. The statistics provide a breakdown of the number of potential victims of modern slavery referred into the NRM. 4,316 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Home Office from April to June 2024, representing a 5% decrease compared to the period from January to March 2024 and a 8% increase from April to June 2023. View the data here. Strongtower Foundation: Bed Space Available The Strongtower Foundation is a volunteer-run organisation and runs a safehouse for women victims of modern slavery and human trafficking aged 18 and over who have exited the NRM with a positive conclusive grounds decision. They have one bed space available. For more information visit their website and the referral form can be found here. |
| Reports and Publications Cultural Competency in UK Responses to Modern Slavery Research by the University of Hull, in partnership with Shiva Foundation and West Midlands Anti Slavery Network reveals barriers for survivors of modern slavery to access support created by a lack of cultural and structural competency in the UK’s response to modern slavery. The research identified the barriers at three levels; individual barriers, organisational and systemic bias, and policies and legal framework. This research was funded by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights PEC. Read the report here. Non-Statutory First Responder Capacity 2024 This briefing by the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group aims to give an updated overview on the situation of non-statutory First Responders in their ability to refer potential survivors of modern slavery into the NRM in the 6 months between December 2023 and June 2024. The analysis has found an ongoing capacity issue affecting non-statutory First Responders, which are under considerable pressure. The consequences on survivors of trafficking and modern slavery include delays to access identification, support and protection. Read the briefing here. A group of non-statutory First Responders also sent a joint statement about the First Responder capacity crisis to Jess Phillips MP as the lead Minister responsible for modern slavery. MSOIC Unit Investigations Overview July 2024 The Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit have published their Non-LEA Overview of Live Modern Slavery Investigations in UK Policing for July 2024. This document is produced to help inform the work that non-law enforcement agencies are doing in response to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Read the data here. Separated: The Ukraine Schemes Changes and Their Impact on Ukrainian Families Earlier this year, the government announced changes to the Ukraine visa schemes.The Ukraine Family Scheme was closed, and the eligibility to sponsor someone from Ukraine under the Homes For Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme was restricted to only British or Irish citizens or persons settled in the UK. This report explores research findings with people affected by the visa changes, conducted by The Work Rights Centre and Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association. Findings showed that these changes put people at risk of labour exploitation and trafficking, without a right to live, work, rent or claim funds in the UK. Read the report here. |
| Events & Training Knowledge Sharing Sessions The Human Trafficking Foundation is hosting a series of Knowledge Sharing sessions for the anti-slavery sector. Please click the links below for more information on the upcoming sessions and to sign up: Homelessness and Modern Slavery (The Passage) 18th September 12pm-1pm Support and Protection for Albanian Survivors of Modern Slavery (Shpresa) 20th September 11am-12pm Forced Criminal Exploitation: The Legal Context (Southwell & Partners) 21st October 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]. Cybersecurity Awareness Training for Survivors of Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking In partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and the Sophie Hayes Foundation, The Anti-Slavery Collective has published a collection of cybersecurity awareness training resources that aim to equip survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking with the skills to stay safe online. Resources include a digital guidebook, technology safe videos and a webinar recording sharing insights about bridging the digital divide and the importance of creating a safer cyber landscape for everyone. View them here. Realities We Share In the shadows of the Illegal Migration Act and the Rwanda project, and in the context of a crisis in the provision of legal aid representation across the immigration and asylum sector, Breaking the Chains sought to improve outcomes for Albanian children and young people seeking asylum. The evaluation of this project is being launched by Migrant & Refugee Children’s Legal Unit, the Shpresa Programme and Garden Court Chambers. The evaluation was undertaken by children and young people with lived experience of the asylum system and Dr Rachel Alsop from the University of York. Friday 27th September 4pm-6.30pm. Hodgkin Building, Newcomen Street, London SE1 1UL. More information and reserve your spot here. Exploring the Wellbeing and Protection of Survivors of Modern slavery in Government Funded Safe Houses The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network’s (BASNET) are hosting an in-person conference hosted by St Mary’s University that will focus on exploring the concerns highlighted in their recent report ‘The Safehouse is Not Safe‘. The event will aim to provide recommendations but also offer reassurance to survivors and other conference participants that their voices are being heard. Thursday 10th October 12pm-5pm. The Exchange, 75 London Road, TW1 1BE. Find out more and reserve your spot here. Anti-Slavery Wales 2024 Conference The Anti-Slavery Wales Conference has become an annual event which brings together partners and organisations to network and share learning and experiences. Take your opportunity to join an array of high-profile speakers and a host of organisations. The conference will be of interest to a wide range of people and organisations across the Welsh public, private or third sectors. Wednesday 16 October 10.30am-3.30pm. Penbryn, Aberystwyth University, Penglais, Aberystwyth, SY23 3BY. The event will be hybrid. Find out more and reserve your spot here. |
| Vacancies 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 Caretaker in Manchester (Deadline: 10am Monday 9th September), a Modern Slavery Outreach Caseworker (Deadline: 10am Friday 30th August), a Modern Slavery Caseworker Assistant in Swindon (Deadline: 10am Friday 6th September) and a Modern Slavery Caseworker Assistant in Southampton (Deadline: 10am Monday 2nd September). Find out more and apply here. West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network The West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network unites and enables partner organisations to work in collaboration to respond modern slavery by directly supporting victims of modern slavery, identifying gaps and influencing change. They are recruiting for a Lead Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) in Birmingham commencing in post at the beginning of November. (Deadline: Friday 6th September). Find out more and 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]. |