HTF Advisory Forum Newsletter 19th February

Posted on 19 February 2025

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 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 Modern Slavery Act 2015: 10 Year Anniversary Briefing Considering the ten-year anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act, and a potential Back Bench Business debate to mark it, the Human Trafficking Foundation (HTF) is coordinating a sector briefing to send to MPs, providing an overview of modern slavery in the UK and highlighting key themes. This briefing will act as an overview and starting point for engagement with parliamentarians and will provide a resource for people reading into the issue. HTF is conducting a survey, open to all in the anti-trafficking sector, asking which issues ought to be included within the briefing. Complete the survey here. Deadline: Friday 28th February. Update on the Temporary Permission to Stay Policy Temporary permission to stay (VTS) enables confirmed victims of human trafficking or slavery and their children to remain in the UK after a positive National Referral Mechanism decision. From 6th February, certain decisions that consider possible grants of VTS have been temporarily paused. This pause will be limited to individuals who are being considered for a possible grant of VTS but who are also subject to a deportation order. VTS decision making outside of these circumstances will continue as normal. Any further updates on this can be accessed here. Call for Evidence: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is now under review. If you have expertise, experience, or a special interest in this Bill, you are invited to submit written evidence to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee, which will examine the Bill in detail. The Committee’s first meeting is on Thursday 27th February and it will report by the deadline of 5pm Thursday 20th March. Once the Committee concludes its review, it will no longer accept written evidence – this may happen before the deadline. To ensure your views are considered, submit your evidence as soon as possible. Submit your views here.  IASC Strategic Plan 2024-2026  The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Strategic plan 2024-2026 is now ready to view on the gov.uk website. This Strategic Plan sets out how the Commissioner will engage those with lived experience of modern slavery and collaborate with those across the anti-slavery sector to pursue the goals outlined in the Plan. The Plan sets out three core objectives: Prevention, Protection and Prosecution. It also sets out two cross-cutting themes: integrating lived experiences perspectives into anti-slavery policy and efforts; and improving our understanding of modern slavery. Access the Plan here.   Research Participants Needed: Screening for Abuse in Remote Consultations The University of Brighton is conducting research aiming to improve sexual and reproductive health practitioners’ ability to engage in conversation about and respond to disclosures of domestic abuse and modern slavery during remote service provision. Alongside interviews with survivors, they are also looking to interview people who provide frontline support. Research poster here and participation information sheet here. To express your interest, email here. Deadline: Monday 31st March.  Survey: Dissociative Experiences in Sex Trafficking Survivors This research, being conducted by Alliant International University, will explore the levels of dissociation survivors experience, the kinds of dissociative experiences survivors most commonly encounter, and whether survivors with some demographic backgrounds experience more dissociation than survivors with other demographic backgrounds. The research aims to help clinicians identify dissociative experiences in survivors more readily, and, subsequently, devise more effective treatment plans. To aid this research, they are seeking views from anyone with knowledge or expertise in the topic. Deadline: Friday 28th February. Submit your response here. Survey: Labour Exploitation in the UK Care Sector Marinus Analytics, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and Walk Free are working together on a project to better understand how people are exploited in the UK care sector. The project is trying to understand how people are recruited into this sector from outside the UK, the nature of the exploitation they face once here, and how, if at all, they feel able to ask for help. Deadline: Sunday 16th March. Fill out the survey here.  The Hive Network  The Hive Network helps to combat the challenges faced by those working in anti-trafficking across the UK and worldwide by offering real-time intelligence, strategic communications, and discreet platform support. They specialise in mapping out trafficking networks, disrupting them, monitoring  and evaluation, and open-source intelligence. They aim to provide the insights needed to measure impact and drive effective interventions. They also support with victim repatriation, safeguarding efforts, or frontline operations. More information here or email here if you would like to connect with them. Align Ltd Align believes lived experience must be at the heart of all work to combat modern slavery in businesses. Their mission is to evidence that lived experience can create new and powerful ways of ending slavery across businesses. They achieve this by training, coaching, and supporting their Lived Experience Consultants (LECs) through ongoing community of practice. They also encourage businesses to incorporate lived experience into their strategies to combat modern slavery. Since 2023, they have secured £120,000 direct income for their work with 22 registered lived experience consultants and seen a 67% increase in business engagement levels. Email here if you would like to connect with them. 2025 International Summit Students Opposing Slavery (SOS) is a youth education program for students dedicated to raising modern slavery awareness within teenagers. The SOS program is now accepting applications for their annual International Summit which takes place for a week in late June in Washington D.C, United States. Participants engage with survivors of trafficking, modern abolitionists working in the anti-slavery field, and each other, to create campaigns that they will launch in their own schools and communities. Deadline for international students: Tuesday 18th March. Deadline for American students: Wednesday 2nd April. More information and how to apply here.     Reports and Publications    Briefing: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill This briefing by Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) argues that the Bill misses the opportunity to ensure that all victims of exploitation are protected, whatever their immigration status. It states that by failing to repeal key elements of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and the Illegal Migration Act 2023, this Bill does not address key drivers of exploitation. The briefing recommends that this Bill could be an opportunity to put forward a constructive policy programme, and move away from an approach that punishes victims for coming forward about their abuse. Read the briefing here.  Ella’s Impact Report 2023-2024 This report by Ella’s summarises the organisation’s achievements during year one of their five-year strategy, during which they began housing families for the first time. It also contains stories and testimonials from the women they work with. Read the report here. In addition to the report, they have also launched a short film. Watch the film here.  Effectiveness of Forced Labour Import Bans This policy briefing, published by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC), assesses the evidence base on the effectiveness of Forced Labour Import Bans – regulatory trade instruments developed by States that restrict the importation of goods into a given market on the grounds of forced labour (private and/or state-imposed). The briefing shows that these type of bans have only been developed by countries in the Global North, and such bans may be part of a “smart mix” of measures to address modern slavery in global supply chains. Read the briefing here. MSOIC Unit Investigations Overview January 2025 The Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit have published their Non-LEA Overview of Live Modern Slavery Investigations in UK Policing for January 2025. 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.  Chinese Cultural Resources The Modern Slavery Organised Immigration Crime Unit has launched Chinese cultural resources.  The resource was launched as a webinar to law enforcement. This resource aims to provide an insight into the Chinese culture. Police officers who are equipped with tailored cultural resources that acknowledge and appreciate specific cultural needs are better positioned to gain the necessary trust of modern slavery victims and support them appropriately. Access the resources here.  Forecasting Heat Stress and The Intersection of Sustainable Development Challenges in India’s Brick Kilns  Written by Nottingham Rights Lab, this article focuses on the informal economy of brick kilns in India, and explores how the impacts of climate change-induced heat stress on workers are most prevalent in sectors with decent work deficits. It goes onto forecast to 2050, through satellite mapping and climate modelling, the number of days with extreme heat, loss of labour capacity, and impact on annual brick production. The research explores the implications for workers and supply chains. Read the article here.      Events & Training. National Counter Trafficking Centre: New Training Resource In March 2024, the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre, published Outcomes for children and young people affected by modern slavery. The report authors and Barnardo’s ICTG Service have used the research findings to co-create a training resource for Barnardo’s staff, police officers, Social Workers, youth justice and others, focused on positive outcomes for children with lived experience of modern slavery. They are hosting pilot workshops where they will share the draft training resource, to see how it works in practice and collect feedback before rolling it out more widely. More information on dates, times and how to register here. The Unstoppables: Migrant Domestic Workers Speak Out The Voice of Domestic Workers is hosting a showcase event which will be a celebration of all the work that the Future Voices spokespeople have done over the last year, as part of their leadership programme and partnership between The Voice of Domestic Workers and Sound Delivery Media. This programme equipped a new network of 36 migrant domestic workers with the skills and confidence to share their experiences, have their expertise heard more widely, and ultimately drive public awareness and policy change. 12pm-3pm Sunday 2nd March,  Wellcome Collection London NW1 2BE. Register here. Advocating for Survivors with Complex Needs The Snowdrop Project has published a new training module which equips frontline professionals who support survivors of modern slavery with complex needs. This one-day interactive training explores how legislation can be used to prevent destitution and support recovery. If you are interested in receiving this training, register your interest here.       Vacancies Human Trafficking Foundation The Human Trafficking Foundation is currently recruiting for an experienced fundraiser, part-time, either as a consultant or member of staff (Deadline: 5pm Friday 21st February). Find out more and apply here. Hope for Justice The IMSA® Model Hub, hosted within Hope for Justice offers a framework for best practice independent advocacy for adult survivors of modern slavery. They are recruiting for an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) Model Development MEAL Manager (Deadline Friday 21st February). Find out more and apply here. Unseen Unseen provides safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery, and also run the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline. They are currently recruiting for a Fundraising Manager (Deadline: Sunday 23rd February). Find out more and apply here.  ATLEU  The Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU) offer legal advice and support to survivors, or professionals working with survivors, of trafficking and slavery in England and Wales. They are recruiting for a Project Manager. (Deadline: 12 Noon Monday 3rd March). 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 Monday 17th March). Find out more and apply here. Hope at Home Hope at Home is a UK hosting scheme that supports survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking into safe homes. They are currently recruiting for a Hosting Co-ordinator. Deadline: 5pm Sunday 9th March. 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].