HTF Advisory Forum Newsletter 7th February

Posted on 7 February 2024

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].     Human Trafficking Foundation In-Person Advisory Forum HTF invites you to join our upcoming in-person Advisory Forum which provides an opportunity for anyone working in the anti-trafficking space to come together, network and hear the latest updates on modern slavery policy and practice. The event is kindly hosted by Linklaters LLP and will be held on Thursday 22nd February 10.30am-2pm at 1 Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8HQ. To register for the event, please click here.  If your organisation has a short update they would like to share at the forum, please email [email protected].     Announcements   Stella Maris establishes cross-sector steering group to help tackle modern slavery in UK ports Stella Maris is taking proactive measures in the fight against modern slavery with the establishment of a dedicated Steering Group. The group comprises of 23 individuals representing a spectrum of stakeholders, including ferry operators, port businesses, recruitment agencies, port owners, port authorities, charities, Border Force, and the police. It aims to build on the success of Stella Maris’ recent Modern Slavery Identification and Awareness workshops and create a comprehensive action plan to help address modern slavery at UK ports. Find out more here.  New Legal Challenge Brought to the Government’s Seasonal Worker Scheme The Anti-Trafficking and Labour Exlploitation Unit (ATLEU) has brought a legal challenge to the government’s Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme on the grounds that it breaches Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This is the first human rights claim to be brought against the scheme and argues that the UK government has failed to put in place practical and effective steps to protect workers from being subjected to modern slavery, including forced labour exploitation. Read more here.      Reports and Publications   Identifying adults with lived experience of modern slavery in the UK The Human Trafficking Foundation partnered with the British and International Institute of Comparative Law (BIICL) to examine the training provided to First Responder Organisations and undertake a first-of-its kind-analysis of the Duty to Notify data for 2020 and 2021 (provided by the Home Office under a Memorandum of Understanding) to analyse reasons why adults with lived experience of modern slavery decide not to be referred to the NRM. The report was funded by the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre and a summary can be found here.   NWG Transition into Adulthood Briefing  The NWG have published a 7-minute briefing document for frontline practioners,’The National Referral Mechanism and Transitioning into Adulthood‘. The briefing has been developed to respond to an identified gap in current safeguarding arrangements for young people as they make the legal transition into adulthood at 18. The briefing aims to provide guidance on several key areas including understanding the NRM process, gathering consent post-18, and support through transition. It provides practitioners with the knowledge and tools necessary to guide vulnerable children and young people effectively through a pivotal time in their lives. Legal analysis: Rwanda scheme not compliant with international law on modern slavery A legal analysis commissioned by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (Modern Slavery PEC) has concluded that the Rwanda Treaty and the Safety of Rwanda Bill are not compliant with the UK’s international legal obligations towards victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. This analysis has found that the removal to Rwanda of people who either are confirmed victims of modern slavery or human trafficking or there are reasonable grounds to believe they may be victims raises serious issues under both the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT). Prevention and identification of children and young adults experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery in the UK A new research report, funded by Modern Slavery PEC, reveals an absence of a comprehensive multi-departmental child exploitation strategy, exacerbating the shortcomings in current legislation and leaving child victims inadequately protected. The six-month investigation exposes child protection failings, demonstrating a need for immediate intervention. Following their research, the teams from the Nottingham Rights Lab and ECPAT UK make recommendations for the prevention of child exploitation and protection of children. Please see the report here.    Modern Slavery and Climate Change are Interconnected, but Policy Makers are Working in Silos According to new research by University of Nottingham and International Justice Mission, modern slavery and climate change are interconnected, but policy makers on these issues are working in isolation from each other. The research found perceived and real barriers to integrating policies on modern slavery and climate change, linked to resource and capacity strain. You can read the full report, research summary and a short blog explaining the findings. The lead researcher from this project, Dr Bethany Jackson, will speak about this research at the Modern Slavery PEC’s upcoming lunchtime seminar on Wednesday 21 February 2024, 12pm. Register here. Ella’s Impact Report Ella’s have published an Impact Report, covering September 2022 to August 2023. The report can be viewed online here. This last year saw the opening of a new safe house, Ella’s’ third and the report outlines the support provided by Ella’s, the impact it has had on survivors they support and a summary of their new five-year strategy.     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:  Public Order Disqualifications 27th February 11am-12pm Spiritual and Ritual Abuse, Including Accusations of Witchcraft 13th March 10am-11am Working with Interpreters 24th April 12pm-1pm  Identification Insights for First Responders 23rd May 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]. Women Working Towards a World Without Slavery This International Women’s Day on 8 March 10am-10.45am, Unseen is holding an inspiring webinar dedicated to the extraordinary women shaping a world without slavery.The webinar will be an opportunity to hear inspiring stories from the women shaping the anti-slavery movement, connect with leading experts and fellow like-minded individuals united by anti-slavery and human rights causes, discover actionable steps to advocate for social justice, deepen your understanding and stay informed on the evolving landscape of modern slavery, and explore cutting-edge strategies for combating it from leaders in the anti-slavery field. Webinar: Transformative Journeys: Showcasing Good Practices of Women’s Empowerment through Skill Development and Vocational Training Join the Commonwealth Network for an upcoming webinar in March coinciding with International Women’s Day. This event will spotlight success stories of empowering women survivors of human trafficking through skills development and vocational training. Presented by 8.7 Network members, the webinar will delve into specific initiatives, offering expert insights and good practices for economic, social, and personal empowerment. Register here for the webinar on 6 March 9:30am-11am.   Cultural Competencies Roundtable An MSPEC-funded research project has been seeking to understand the value of cultural understanding in UK responses to modern slavery. A similar MSPEC-funded project has also been undertaken working on how cultural barriers may impact the identification and support of people affected by modern slavery with a specific focus on Albanian. For the next phase of these projects, there will be a multi-agency workshop at Studio Birmingham (7 Cannon Street Birmingham, B2 5EP) on Thursday, 15th February, from 9am-3.30pm. This workshop aims to share the drafted reports, present the key findings and finalise each project’s recommendation based on some roundtables. More information and sign up here.      Vacancies The 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 for a Modern Slavery Case Worker (deadline 19th February) and Modern Slavery Case Worker Assistant (deadline 29th February). 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 (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 interviews. 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 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].