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 events here. 

This fortnightly newsletter goes out to over 1,600 individuals working in anti-trafficking. To share information for the newsletter, please contact [email protected]

Announcements

Human Trafficking Foundation Online Forum: Who Profits From Exploitation and Can We Stop It?
HTF invites you to attend our upcoming online forum which will examine modern slavery from a preventative perspective. This event will explore the people and systems that enable and drive forced labour and criminal exploitation, and discuss whether it can be prevented. The event will be held online on Wednesday 30th April 2-4pm. More information and book your space here.

Survey: Modern Slavery Prevalence Estimation
The Rights Lab, in partnership with the office of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, is undertaking a scoping review of modern slavery prevalence estimation. Through this review they are seeking to understand the prevalence methodologies used to date to estimate modern slavery prevalence, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and consider which, if any, could be applied to the UK context in future to generate a reliable and replicable prevalence estimate. This anonymous 10 minute survey forms part of this scoping review. Complete the survey here. Deadline: Friday 18th April.

Survey Deadline Extended: Secure Reporting Project
Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) is developing a secure reporting blueprint for London. This ensures survivors can report crimes without fear of repercussions due to their immigration status. FLEX is conducting an anonymous 10-minute survey to understand how immigration data is collected and shared. If you work in frontline support or statutory services for survivors of any crime in London, they want to hear from you. Deadline: Monday 14th April. Fill out the survey here.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Questionnaire: Future Remote Services Grant
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is seeking feedback on the design and commissioning of a national 24/7 remote support service for victims aged 16 and over across England and Wales. The aim of the grant will be to deliver immediate, accessible and remote emotional and practical support and information for victims, witnesses and third parties (friends, family and professionals) affected by any crime type. This support will be available 24/7. If interested in providing feedback on this process, submit it here. Deadline: Today, 5pm Wednesday 2nd April.

Parliamentary Events to Mark 10 Year Anniversary of Modern Slavery Act 2015
To mark 10 years since the passing of the Modern Slavery Act, a number of sessions were held in Parliament. The Home Affairs Select Committee took evidence on Tuesday 25th March on whether 10 years on is the Modern Slavery Act still fit for purpose? On Thursday 27th March there was a backbench business debate to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act Passing. A briefing, signed by 48 organisations in the sector, was sent to MPs ahead of the debate. if you would like to add your signature to an updated version of the briefing please email here. On Friday 28th March, the House of Lords debated the Modern Slavery Act 2015 Committee Report.

Reports and Publications

Home Office Action Plan on Modern Slavery 
The Home Office has published their Action Plan on modern slavery, which sets out the Home Office and partners’ actions to tackle modern slavery over the next 12 months, and long-term ambition over the coming years. It sets the strategic approach for the next financial year, reflecting current parameters and constraints (including resourcing and budget). The Plan is focussed on the following four pillars; developing an approach to prevention, reforming the identification system, tailoring victim support, and improving criminal justice outcomes. Read the Action Plan here. 

The Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029
The Mayor of London has published his Police and Crime Plan 2025-29. One of the key priorities in the Plan is to reduce violence and criminal exploitation. The Plan acknowledges that often those caught up in offending are themselves victims of exploitation and outlines that the new London Violence and Exploitation Support Service will provide specialist support to ensure all children and young adults can thrive free violence; including those being exploited by criminal networks. The Mayor has also committed to stand up for migrant workers’ rights and protect them from exploitation, modern slavery, sex trafficking and domestic servitude. Read the Plan here.

Slavery and Human Trafficking in Supply Chains: Guidance for Businesses
Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires certain organisations to develop a modern slavery statement each year. The modern slavery statement should set out what steps organisations have taken to ensure modern slavery is not taking place in their business or supply chains. This updated guidance document, published by the Home Office, provides guidance on who is required to publish a modern slavery statement, how to write a modern slavery statement, how to approve and publish the statement, and actions businesses should consider to tackle modern slavery. Access the guidance here. 

International Collaboration Guide: Tackling UK-Romania Human Trafficking 
This guide has been developed to support the collaborative efforts of enforcement agencies and other actors in the UK and Romania to engage effectively on human trafficking cases. It was authored by the University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab, together with the European Anti-Trafficking Program within International Justice Mission, with advice and input from the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons in Romania. It provides a guide to Romanian culture and an overview of the legal frameworks and judicial cooperation mechanisms. Read the guide here.

Events & Training

Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline 2024 Annual Assessment
This webinar, hosted by Unseen, will present the Modern Slavery Helpline’s annual assessment. It will cover the data collected by the helpline in 2024, including; the volume of calls, web forms and app submissions received by the Helpline, potential victim and exploiter numbers and demographics, and types of exploitation reported and emerging trends. 11.30am-12.30pm Wednesday 30th April. Book your place here. 

Migrant Workers in The Agricultural and Care Sectors in the UK
The Human Rights and Public Law Centre at Durham University is hosting a webinar featuring Professor Tomoya Obokata, the current UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Slavery, who will speak about his mandate and views on responses to modern slavery and human trafficking by states and non-state actors. In addition, academics Dr Inga Thiemann and Dr Natalie Sedacca will present research on the impact of restrictive visas and shortcomings in labour enforcement on migrant care and agricultural workers and discuss recent developments, with time for Q&A. 2pm-3pm Monday 28th April. Register here.

Survivor Bonding Brunch 
The ROMILDAMOR Foundation is hosting this event for female survivors of human trafficking in the UK from various organisations to have an opportunity to connect and build community with other survivors and women who have walked similar paths to them. 2pm Tuesday 22nd April. Kasa Cafe, London W1W 6YJ. Register your place here.

‘Grooming gangs’: Where did the idea come from? (original)
This free webinar hosted by Nordic Model Now! will look at the ‘grooming gangs’ scandals and ask where the idea came from. Is it totally “alien” behaviour brought from Pakistan? Or was the brutal sexual use and abuse of mostly working-class women and girls already deeply embedded in British culture? Was the fear of being accused of racism the main reason the authorities turned a blind eye? Or was it more complicated? What can be done to bring about change? Come along to join the discussion. 2pm-3.30pm, Sunday 27 April. Register your place here

Vacancies

Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA)
TARA provides a specialist, trauma informed support service for women survivors of human trafficking and exploitation recovered across Scotland. They are currently recruiting for a Service Manager (Deadline: Sunday 6th April). Find out more and apply here.

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 Modern Slavery Caseworker Assistant in Southampton (Deadline 10am Tuesday 6th May), and a Modern Slavery Case Worker Assistant in Thanet (Deadline: 10am Tuesday 22nd April). Find out more and apply here.

Stronger Together
Stronger Together is a labour rights focused non-profit supporting businesses to tackle labour exploitation and embed responsible recruitment and fair work. They are recruiting for a M&E Consultant for the Seasonal Worker Scheme Taskforce (Deadline: 9am Wednesday 9th April). Find out more and apply 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, 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 survivors 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 online application form here on behalf of your client, if you have any questions please contact [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]