News & Updates

HTF Advisory Forum Newsletter 9th November

Posted on

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 newsletter goes out to over 1300 individuals working in anti-trafficking. To share information for the newsletter, please contact [email protected]     Reports & Publications Youth Voice: SEND and School Exclusions Report
The Children’s Society’s Disrupting Exploitation Programme’s new report outlines young people with special educational needs or disability (SEND) experiences of being excluded from school. The report highlights issues that young people highlighted as contributing to their exclusion, such as racism, their reputation and unrealistic expectations of young people’s maturity. The report concludes with recommendations for schools, local authorities and government. Read the report here and find out more about their launch event.

Human Trafficking, Participation and Outcomes for Children Report
This report entitled ‘creating stable futures: human trafficking, participation and outcomes for children’ outlines a 12-month participatory research study into understanding how to ensure protection, support and positive outcomes for children and young people who have arrived in the UK and have experienced modern slavery or human trafficking. The findings of this participatory research includes views of the 31 young people involved in the study. This study has been conducted by a partnership formed by the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice at Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Bedfordshire and ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking). The final report can be found here, positive outcomes framework and press release.

Addressing Modern Slavery in Long and Complex Supply Chains Report
The Modern Slavery PEC has published a report on big UK utilities and industrial companies addressing modern slavery in their long and complex supply chains. The research was carried out by the University of Nottingham Rights Lab and ShareAction. The research found that utilities and industrial companies lack visibility of their supply chains beyond Tier 1 for modern slavery risks, and despite some good practices, they have significant gaps in areas such as freedom of association. The research recommends that businesses need to put workers and their representatives at the centre of wider collaborative approaches to managing supply chains if they are to increase their visibility beyond Tier 1.

Examining the Relationship Between Modern Slavery and Forced Marriage
Around 22 million people in the world live in forced marriages, often subject to exploitative practices similar to those experienced by modern slavery victims. The connection between the two phenomena is relatively under-studied. As a result, there is little consensus regarding whether and to what extent forced marriage should be distinguished from modern slavery from a legal and policy perspective. This Justice and Care issue brief reviews the literature and empirical evidence in order to clarify when and under what conditions forced marriage can lead to modern slavery and provides key recommendations.  

Public Procurement Measures to Address Modern Slavery Brief
Modern Slavery PEC recently published a Policy Brief on the effectiveness of public procurement measures in addressing modern slavery, underpinned by an evidence review carried out by Dr Sofia Gonzalez de Aguinaga.The analysis found that because many of public procurement measures are recent, there is as yet little direct evidence of their effectiveness. However, there are case studies demonstrating where public procurement measures have positively influenced supplier behaviour and contributed to reduced modern slavery risk.     Announcements Human Rights of Asylum Seekers in the UK Inquiry
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has launched an inquiry examining the Government’s policies and procedures relating to asylum seekers and the impact these have on their human rights. The inquiry also assesses whether the UK’s current legal framework is adequate to meet its human rights obligations to those who are victims of modern slavery or human trafficking. To inform its work, the Committee invites submissions of no more than 1,500 words from interested groups and individuals. The deadline for submissions is 15th December. More information can be found here.

National Crime Agency NGO and Cultural Database
The NCA’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit are developing an “NGO and Cultural Database” to identify and centralise opportunities for law enforcement, and other relevant first responders, to obtain cultural advice to assist investigations and support survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. The intentions of the project are to compile a database of individuals who have self-identified as having knowledge and experience of a particular culture, and who would be willing to receive contact from other professionals seeking cultural advice. Attached as an information sheet, CV for interested parties, and accompanying CV example to aid completion. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions or wish to discuss further.     Events & Training Where Will I Live? Online Research Launch 
Hope at Home and University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab are hosting a virtual launch of their report on hosting and the current accommodation options for survivors of modern slavery. With unique data insights from survivors, support agencies and volunteers who have hosted survivors, the researchers have produced a report that offers the opportunity to meet real accommodation needs for survivors. Book your place to hear the key findings from the research and how Hope at Home are looking to implement plans to address the issues faced. 23rd November 11am. 

 Modern Slavery Scorecard for Local Authorities Launch Event
Join Shiva Foundation, STOP THE TRAFFIK and the Mekong Club for the launch of a new Self-Assessment Scorecard, designed to support local authority leaders to better address the risk of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. The scorecard, along with its accompanying guide, provides clarity on where you are doing well, identifies where your challenges and gaps lie and offers guidance on how to improve your responses. It also signposts to in-depth resources and frameworks to help embed best practice. There is an option to attend in-person or online. 17th November 6pm. 

Harnessing UK Trade and Investment to Address Modern Slavery
The Rights Lab, University of Nottingham is hosting an online conference on harnessing UK trade and investment to address Indo-Pacific modern slavery risks. The conference is part of the project funded by Modern Slavery PEC and aims to produce evidence and analysis of the role of trade and investment in the Indo-Pacific to manage risks of modern slavery. The conference will be designed to lay the groundwork for creating a network of scholars and practitioners to work on these issues after the project is complete. 15th / 16th November 11am, register here.

Report Launch: Ukrainian Refugees at Risk of Violence and Trafficking
The Institute for Research into Superdiversity (IRiS) is hosting an online launch of the report: “Not a single safe place: the Ukrainian refugees at risk of violence, trafficking and exploitation”, which sets out the findings from a research study in Poland and Ukraine looking at the experiences of violence, trafficking and exploitation among Ukrainian refugees in war, transit and refuge. In the launch, the project team will hold a panel discussion to share cross-country and country-specific findings.The panellists will also identify next steps for supporting survivors on the move and in countries of refuge in the context of large-scale feminised displacement. Register here 16th November 2pm.

Lawyering in the Anti-Trafficking Space: Insights from Legal Practice and Research
Access to legal advice and representation is crucial for victims and survivors of trafficking to enforce legal rights and access support. While the consequences of not having access to high quality legal advice include increased risks of re-trafficking and destitution, there are significant challenges that beset the legal aid and advice system for survivors. This event will focus on the role of lawyers who represent victims and survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. It will provide a forum to hear insights from both research and legal practice about the reality of lawyering in this sector. 13th December 2pm, register here. 

Safeguarding Victims of Modern Slavery Webinar
The VITA Network is hosting an interactive webinar which will cover modern slavery human trafficking and the health impact, equipping attendees with knowledge, confidence and transferable consultation skills to safely identify, support and safeguard victims and survivors of this crime. This training is for clinicians and healthcare professionals who consult with patients and anyone whose clinical role requires at least level 2 adult safeguarding. Find out more here 8th December 12pm. 

Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Symposium 2022
Penningtons Manches Cooper is hosting an anti-traficking symposium, chaired by Dame Sara Thornton, Professor of Modern Slavery at the Rights Lab, formerly UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. This event will explore survivors of human trafficking’s access to justice and compensation through civil litigation, asking questions such as will civil litigation change behaviours and actions in the corporate world for the better? Will civil litigation impact or influence future legislation? Find out more and book your ticket here. 1st December, Wood Street, London. 

Is Therapy Reaching Those Who Need it Most? 
Street Talk is hosting a rescheduled conference entitled ‘Unconditional’ to explore therapy exclusion and what can be done to bring therapy to people on the margins.The conference is open to anybody working with marginalised people, supporting organisations that work with vulnerable people, or who is interested in the care of our most vulnerable, and the morning will feature speakers, group discussions and networking. 21st November 9.15am, register your place here.     Vacancies Hope at Home Vacancy
Hope at Home is looking for an experienced Chair of Trustees to assist in taking Hope at Home through the next stage of development and provide leadership and direction to the board of Trustees. Find out more and apply here.

Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland (SOHTIS) Vacancies 
SOHTIS is currently advertising for a new Senior Philanthropy Officer and a Freelance Social Media Coordinator to join their team to deliver freedom to victims and survivors of human trafficking across Scotland. Find out more about these roles and for information on how to apply go to the SOHTIS website. Closing date 30th November. 

FIND Vacancy
FIND investigates the financial affairs of perpetrators of human rights abuses, war crimes and environmental harm and works for charities, NGOs and intergovernmental bodies in support of their pursuit of justice for those affected by such crimes. FIND is looking to hire an experienced investigator to support a growing caseload. Deadline 28th November, more information can be found here.

Kalayaan Vacancy
Kalayaan is a, London-based charity that provides advice, support and advocacy services to migrant domestic workers. They are looking for a new Immigration Lawyer/OISC Level 2 Adviser to provide advice and advocacy services to clients, identify victims of trafficking for domestic servitude and support research and policy work. Deadline to apply is 28th November, find out more here.     HTF Resources 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]

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 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.