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. To share information for the webpage or newsletter, please contact [email protected].

One Year On: Launch of Race Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan
15th July 1pm – 3pm sign up here

Join us at the second EDI Online Conference to mark the launch of BME Anti-Slavery Network’s (BASNET) publication ‘Promoting Racial Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An Action Plan for the UK Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Sector.’

Chaired by Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey OBE, we will discuss how we can best implement the Action Plan to meet the needs of victims and survivors from different ethnic backgrounds and make our charities more representative of the range of survivors we aim to support.

Speakers include the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Dame Sara Thornton, Neena Samota St Mary’s University, Prof Alex Balch Modern Slavery PEC, Pam Bowen CPS, Mathew Sowemimo The Salvation Army and many more. We will also hear from survivors on what the Race EDI Action Plan means to them. The full agenda can be found here. Ahead of the conference please fill in this short BASNET survey 

HTF Announcements

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].

Anti-Slavery Day Events Calendar: Call for Input
HTF will be creating a calendar of 2021 Anti-Slavery Day (18th October) on our website. If your organisation is hosting an event to mark Anti-Slavery Day and would like to be included in the calendar, please send us an email with a brief description including date, time and any links to [email protected].

Parliamentary Legislation

Nationality and Borders Bill
The Nationality and Borders Bill, introduced to Parliament on 6th July sets out to deliver the legislative elements of The New Plan for Immigration published in March,  which includes proposed changes for survivors of modern slavery. More information on the Bill can be found here.  Explanatory notes on the Bill, produced by the Home Office, can be accessed here.

Homelessness Code of Guidance 
This month the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published an update to the Modern Slavery chapter of the Homelessness Code of Guidance. The guidance provides further detail on the identification of victims of modern slavery, the support available through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract and how Local Authorities should fulfill their obligations when providing homelessness services to victims (see chapter 25). The revised Homelessness Code of Guidance can be found here.

Reports

Modern Slavery PEC: Research into NHS Supply Chains
Modern Slavery PEC have recently published research uncovering systemic forced labour issues in the Malaysian medical glove industry which is supplying the NHS. The first comprehensive study of the industry since Covid has surveyed 1,491 workers in Malaysia and found that already serious situation of workers has worsened during the pandemic. Read the research summary.

BASNET: An EDI Action Plan for the Anti-Trafficking Sector
The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET) today releases its Action Plan on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and calls on key players in the UK modern slavery sector to adopt the Plan as an indication of their commitment towards racial justice and equity. It is aimed at tackling racial discrimination in the sector, including in the identification and provision of services for survivors of modern slavery many of whom are either foreign nationals or from a UK Black and Minority Ethnic community.

UNOCD: The Effects of Covid-19 on Trafficking in Persons Report
A new study released on Thursday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) illustrates the devastating impact of COVID-19 on victims and survivors of human trafficking and highlights the increased targeting and exploitation of children during the course of the pandemic.

FLEX: The Experience of Hospitality Workers Report
This week FLEX published a new report on the experiences of workers in the UK in the hospitality sector entitled ‘To Help Workers I Would Tell the Government to…Participatory Research with Workers in the UK Hospitality Sector.’ It highlights key workplace issues in the hospitality sector and the factors that increase the risk of workers experiencing employment rights violations. Access the report and summary here.

Anti-Slavery International: EU Law. Global Impact Report
Anti-Slavery International and Rights Lab have published a report to understand how the upcoming EU business and human rights law could affect workers’ human rights through two case studies: the leather industry in India, and the coffee industry in Brazil. Read the report.

UNHCR and BRC: Call for Research Participants
UNHCR and British Red Cross are currently collaborating on a piece of research exploring the impact of the UK asylum system on vulnerability to exploitation, with a focus on the experiences of asylum seekers, refugees and refused asylum seekers. They are looking for individual participants to take part in the research with experience of the asylum system that also have experience of having been trafficked or exploited or those that are vulnerable to the same. Please contact Helen Muggeridge, via email to [email protected], for more information.

Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner: Annual Report 2020 – 2021
Dame Sara Thornton, has published her Annual Report for 2020-2021. The Annual Report has been laid before Parliament today by the Secretary of State. The Annual Report outlines the Commissioner’s work so far to achieve her objectives as outlined in the Strategic Plan 2019-2021, within the four priority areas of: improving victim care and support; supporting law enforcement and prosecutions; focusing on prevention; and getting value from research and innovation.

Training & Events

Afruca: Safeguarding Children from County Lines Event
The Family Support Service for County Lines, Child Trafficking and Child Criminal Exploitation, a project of AFRUCA Safeguarding Children in partnership with Manchester City Council are hosting a roundtable discussion on Safeguarding Children from County Lines over the School Holidays. 20th July 6pm sign up here.

Mission 89: Online Repository Launch Save the Date
Join Mission89 as they launch their Online Repository, a collaborative project by Goldman Sachs and Mission 89 with the aim of eliminating human trafficking in and around sport. 30^th July 5pm.

Home Office E-Learning: Child Exploitation
This child-specific online training module seeks to build on what you already know as a First Responder and/or safeguarding partner. It takes 45 minutes to complete and please take the time to complete the short survey afterwards to provide feedback on the learning content. Access here.

Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Launch of Annual Report Event
The Commissioner will outline her work so far to achieve her objectives as set out in the Strategic Plan 2019-2021, and discuss her current priorities in the areas of: improving victim care and support; supporting law enforcement and prosecutions; focusing on prevention; and getting value from research and innovation.14th July 4pm book here.

Garden Court Chambers: Differing Approaches to National Security: Citizenship Deprivation and Criminal Prosecution Webinar
The Government’s approach to questions of national security is complex and ever-changing, reaching into various areas of law.  It is not always consistent, favouring the prosecution of those suspected of committing terrorist offences in some cases, whilst effectively exiling others through stripping them of their British citizenship. This seminar will explore these issues from two legal perspectives – immigration and crime – touching on recent developments and case law. 14th July 5.30pm book here.

Surveys & Announcements

Missing People Survey on Discrimination
Families from Black and other minoritised ethnic communities have told Missing People about their experiences of discrimination in the response from agencies when they have reported a loved one missing, and in the media coverage of their loved one’s disappearance. Missing People are calling for families who may not have accessed their services to come forward and share their experiences of discrimination faced during a missing person report. They also want to hear from professionals who work with missing people to hear of any patterns or issues they observe in the missing response. Surveys can be found here.

SOLV: Partnership Announcement 
SOLV Technology are now working with Unseen UK. Unseen UK are instrumental in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. They operate the Modern Slavery Helpline, support victims and advise businesses. SOLV Technology United Kingdom now gives Unseen the ability to target a specific postcode and broadcast a message to several thousand people. If you think SOLV could help your organisation email [email protected]

Vacancies

Stop Uyghur Genocide Vacancies 
Stop Uyghur Genocide are hiring a Campaigns Officer and a Fundraising Manager. The Campaigns Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing our current campaigns. The Fundraising Manager will work to secure further high-value funding and help grow our campaign. See further information and apply here.

FLEX Trainee Vacancy
There is a new job opportunity available at FLEX for a young person looking to take their first steps into a career in the charity sector. As part of the government’s Kickstart Scheme, FLEX is offering a paid 6-month placement available to anyone aged 16-24 and in receipt of Universal Credit. More information about the role and how to apply can be found on FLEX’s website here.

Justice and Care Vacancies
Justice and Care are recruiting for three new roles in the Development Team; Partnerships Manager, Partnerships Executive and an Institutional Fundraising Manager. For job descriptions and closing dates please visit Justice and Care.

City Hearts Vacancies
City Hearts are recruiting for a Senior Service Manager to oversee all accommodation services. City Hearts are also looking for a Service Manager based in South Yorkshire. Deadline for both roles 22nd July, for more information click here.

Pan Intercultural Arts Vacancies 
Pan are looking for both a Company Manager and a Project Manager to join their team. For more information and to apply please see 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.

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 complete the surveys which relate to your organisation’s work: Accommodation, Post-Identification Casework, Outreach Support and/or Individual Advocacy, Drop-in Services, Legal Advice – Legal Aid, Legal Advice – Non-Legal Aid, Specialist Psychological or Therapeutic Support, and Vocational Training or Education. Please email [email protected] for further information.

London Modern Slavery SPOC Directory 2020-2021
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 2020-2021 directory.