Advisory Forum NewsletterThis 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 newsletter goes out to over 1300 individuals working in anti-trafficking. To share information for the newsletter, please contact [email protected]

Creating the Conditions for Exploitation? Exploring UK Labour Visa Schemes
The Human Trafficking Foundation is hosting an online forum to explore the unintended consequences of visa schemes in the UK. In recent years labour shortages in the UK have intensified and in an attempt to mitigate these gaps in the workforce a large number of labour visas are granted to migrant workers each year. The terms of these visas can often create precarious working environments and leave workers at risk of exploitation and even forced labour. Migrant workers under short-term visas report low wages, violence and discrimination, debt bondage, long hours, recruitment fees and visa conditions that mean they are tied to their employers. This HTF online forum will be exploring the following visas:• Transit Visas in the UK fishing industry• New Health and Care Visa Scheme for care workers• Seasonal Workers Visas in the farming sector• Overseas Domestic Worker Visas

22nd September 10.30 am. Register for your place and find out more.

Reports & PublicationsModern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Programme Annual Report
This Annual Report for 2021/22 demonstrates the range of work undertaken by the Programme and partners, documenting that the number of police referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service has nearly doubled over the last year and the Programme has delivered 115 multi-agency operations targeting the organised criminal gangs. 

Protecting British Nationals from Modern Slavery Scoping Study
The Bakhita Centre at St Mary’s University has published new research examining the support for British nationals with experience of modern slavery entitled ‘Support British Victims of Modern Slavery towards Safety and Recovery: A Scoping Study.’ This research finds that there are often missed opportunities to protect British nationals and identify them as potential victims and British nationals exploited in criminal activities were often treated as criminals rather than victims. 

The Human Cost Of The Rwanda Scheme Report 
Medical Justice has published their new report entitled ‘Who’s Paying The Price?: The Human Cost Of The Rwanda Scheme.’ This report is a comprehensive analysis of people targeted for removal to Rwanda which details medical evidence of the harm inflicted on them. The report identifies that the prospect of removal to Rwanda is in itself damaging and can exacerbate detained people’s mental health conditions, particularly for survivors of torture and trafficking. Read the report here.

Assessment of Human Rights Concerns in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region
The OHCHR has published a new assessment of human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China. The assessment was initiated following serious allegations of human rights violations against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim communities brought to the attention of the UN Human Rights Office and UN human rights mechanisms since late 2017, particularly in the context of the Chinese Government’s policies and measures to combat terrorism and “extremism”. Read the report here. 

Ending Rough Sleeping For Good Strategy
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities have this month published their new strategy on ending rough sleeping with detail on the vulnerability of homeless individuals to modern slavery and the specific interventions required when supporting homeless survivors of modern slavery. Read the strategy here.

AnnouncementsThe Anti-Slavery Awards: Outstanding Contributions Shortlist Announced
HTF is delighted to announce the shortlist for The Anti-Slavery Day Awards 2022. The annual Anti-Slavery Day awards recognise the important role played by the media in raising awareness and those organisations and individuals going above and beyond in fighting modern slavery. This year the winners of the outstanding contributions categories will be chosen by a panel of expert judges from the sector and announced at the awards ceremony in October. The media shortlist will be announced in the coming weeks.

British Embassy Bucharest Survey Invitation
The British Embassy in Bucharest is seeking to understand the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to deliver project outcomes to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as the capacity of grant management organisations to manage a new grants programme, and project management skill gaps within CSOs based in Romania. The survey is aimed at Civil Society Organizations based in the UK or Romania (e.g. NGOs, Grant Management Organizations) with existing capability and experience of working in Romania. The survey will take approximately 6 minutes to complete, and has a suggested word limit of between 300-500 words per answer. The survey closes on 12th September. 

Adult Services Websites and Modern Slavery Project: Call for Participation
Researchers from the University of Leicester, Unseen, the NCA and the National Police Chief’s Council will bring together organisations who are working to prevent modern slavery facilitated through adult websites. The project aims to understand, share new knowledge and work towards strategies that can reduce human trafficking and sexual exploitation. They are looking to interview first responders and practitioners who have been involved in any types of cases that have involved Adult Services Websites to understand both how websites have facilitated modern slavery and how they can become part of the prevention mechanisms and reporters of crimes. If you are able to participate, contact Rachel Keighley at [email protected].

Access to Legal Advice for Survivors Survey
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) is undertaking a research project addressing access to legal advice for people with lived experience of modern slavery in the United Kingdom. This project aims to identify whether there are unmet needs for legal services amongst people with lived experience of modern slavery and to communicate this evidence to policymakers, along with recommendations for future action. To gain as complete a picture as possible of the current environment and practices, BIICL would like insights of legal practitioners and other professionals involved in securing access to legal advice and representation for people with lived experience of modern slavery. Should you have experience in this area, we, therefore, would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to complete our brief survey, which should take no longer than 15 to 20 minutes. You can access the survey by clicking here.

Events & TrainingPolicy and Research on Modern Slavery and Supply Chains Seminar
The University of Liverpool Management School is hosting a knowledge exchange event on 12th September at Tate Liverpool. This will be an opportunity to hear from leading academics in the field of supply chains and modern slavery, the front line of policy development, and leaders within the sector working with businesses to address slavery and supply chains. 

WMCA Homelessness Taskforce NRPF and Homelessness Conference
The purpose of this conference is to explore regional approaches to designing out homelessness for non-UK nationals with no recourse to public funds. This conference will be of interest to those working across the homelessness, housing, social care, and migration including asylum, refugee, and modern slavery sectors. This will be held in Birmingham on 19th October at 9:30 am. Find out more and register for your place here.

Film Screening Fundraiser 
Women on the Frontline Ministries and Infusion Physical Theatre are hosting an evening of education, awareness, and fundraising. Following the film there will be a short talk from the film’s creators and Q&A with speakers from Freedom2 and Treasures Foundation, giving insights from local areas and ways people can get involved. This event will be held in Ilford on 23rd September 7 pm, find out more here. 

VacanciesThe Salvation Army Volunteering 
The Salvation Army’s mentoring programme supports survivors of modern slavery and is looking for volunteer mentors.  They aim to support, empower and champion individuals to set and achieve their goals, build confidence, and establish a life in the community. You would be paired with a fellow mentor to meet with a mentee fortnightly for 12 months.  They are looking for female and male applicants in the London area.  If you would like to discuss this opportunity further or see if they also work in your area, please contact [email protected]

Survivor Alliance and Rights Lab Consultancy Position
Survivor Alliance and The University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab are looking for a Survivor Research Advisory Board Facilitator with lived experience of modern slavery to join the Health and Wellbeing Programme. Find out more about the position and apply here. Deadline 19th September.

Rahab Vacancy
Rahab is looking for an experienced professional to lead on one-to-one casework support for women with complex needs who face multiple barriers, including women who are vulnerable migrants, asylum seekers, refugee women, and women in contact with the criminal justice process. Find out more here.

Caritas Bakhita House Vacancy
Caritas Bakhita House is a refuge for women escaping human trafficking and modern slavery. The house provides a safe space for traumatised and vulnerable women to begin the process of recovery and rehabilitation. Bakhita house is looking to hire a Case Worker to join the team, closing date of 20th September. Find out more here.

ECPAT UK Volunteering 
ECPAT UK is looking for a Youth Programme Volunteer, to work with the Youth Programme offering direct support to young people. As a Youth Programme Volunteer, you will help the youth team with the weekly youth group sessions, monthly Youth Advisory Group sessions and the general administration related to the youth programme. You will support the Youth Programme Team and work with other members of the wider ECPAT UK team.

Hope at Home Vacancy
Hope at Home is looking for a Chair of Trustees to provide leadership and direction to the board of Trustees. The Chair’s aim is to enable the board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of Hope at Home. Closing date 5th October, find out more here.

HTF Resources

Survivor Support Emergency Fund
The Human Trafficking Foundation established the fund with a grant from the Vandervell Foundation. We supplement this with funding from other supporters. The 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. Further information including how to apply is available on our website.

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, and 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]

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 the 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 jasmine@humantraffickingfoundation.org

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 a copy of the directory.
The directory is currently being updated, please email [email protected] with any amendments.