Human Trafficking
Updated on June 6th 2020
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June 2020
The information here is invaluable for all who would like to know a little more about Human Trafficking.
The information here is invaluable for all who would like to know a little more about Human Trafficking.
INFORMATION & CAMPAIGNS
A. Human Trafficking – The Facts
Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, Webinar
https://acrath.org.au/human-trafficking-the-facts/
B. Modern Slavery Advisory Group
Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Jason Wood MP, has announced the appointment of ten experts with extensive experience in combating modern slavery and supply chain management to a Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group
https://acrath.org.au/modern-slavery-advisory-group/
C. AFP tip-off leads to rescue of child sex slaves
D. MECPATHS
MECPATHS is a social justice response to the growing prevalence of Human Trafficking and the exploitation of people for profit, in Ireland. MECPATHS, in partnership with Maynooth University, launch an accredited module on Human Trafficking
https://mecpaths.com/news-resources/
E. Stop Trafficking Newsletter
https://www.sistersagainsttrafficking.org/stop-trafficking-newsletter/
F. Talitha Kum: International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking In Persons
The Impact of COVID-19 on Human Trafficking
https://www.talithakum.info/en/news/the-impact-of-covid19-on-human-trafficking
G. International Labor Rights Forum
H. RENATE: Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation.
https://www.renate-europe.net/
Haven of Light Modern Trafficking Media update
I. Human Rights Watch
Stay up to date with ACRATH Activities and News Items https://acrath.org.au/
November 2019
November 2019
Airbnb must face the facts: human trafficking and modern slavery happen in rented accommodation:
Airbnb must face the facts: human trafficking and modern slavery happen in rented accommodation:
More here
Airbnb’s position is that it has “no control over the conduct of hosts and disclaims all liability”.
October 2019
October 2019
October 2019
Young British victims of human trafficking who have been forced to sell drugs in county lines operations are being charged and prosecuted despite guidelines against doing so, the Guardian can reveal. The Modern Slavery Act gives young people and vulnerable adults the right to raise a “section 45” defence, which states they were trafficked and forced to commit offences. More here
Sept 5th
For our Diary for the UK Sisters
Rescued Trafficked Nigerians Held in Abhorrent Shelters.
Rescued Trafficked Nigerians Held in Abhorrent Shelters.
Nigerian women rescued from trafficking in Libya have been returned to Nigeria and placed in “abhorrent” shelters. Many of the survivors say the shelters mirror the same abusive conditions they faced while they were trafficked. More here
'I lost my soul': the teenage girls lured by traffickers from Nigerian camps
'I lost my soul': the teenage girls lured by traffickers from Nigerian camps
Traumatised refugee children are being enticed by tempting offers of escape from poverty, then sold into slavery – but survivors are fighting back More here (guardian)
Ireland has been identified as a destination for victims of child trafficking networks in a new report published by Europol.
The report, detailing cases of underage trafficking within and into the EU, revealed 302 cases - some which included more than one victim - in the two-year period between 2015 and 2017.
Criminals operating out of countries including China, Afghanistan and Russia were reported to be involved in networks smuggling minors in through southern EU countries including Spain and Italy.
More here
Parliamentarians debate the urgent need to protect victims of trafficking from indefinite immigration detention
Parliamentarians debate the urgent need to protect victims of trafficking from indefinite immigration detention
JRS UK mentioned in Westminster Hall debate regarding victims of human trafficking in detention
11 July 2019
A number of MPs gathered in Westminster Hall to debate and discuss this crucially important topic, drawing on evidence from Women for Refugee Women and other recent disclosures concerning the detention of victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. MPs reiterated issues voiced at HASC, with particular focus on the complete conflict of interests within the Home Office. Paul Blomfield MP clearly voiced this conflict saying: “behind many of the problems [in the system] is the way in which two separate responsibilities—for modern slavery and for immigration enforcement—sit uncomfortably within the Home Office.” More here
British police bust Kurdish human trafficking gang
British police bust Kurdish human trafficking gang
By Zhelwan Z. Wali 25/7/2019
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Thirteen members of a gang which illegally trafficked people from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to the United Kingdom have been convicted, British police authorities announced Wednesday.
The final convictions handed down by London’s Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday follow a two-year investigation led by detectives of the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU). More here
From the Immigrant Council of Ireland
From the Immigrant Council of Ireland
Since the first victim of trafficking for sexual exploitation approached us in 2006, the Immigrant Council has developed specific expertise on trafficking of migrant women for sexual exploitation. We abhor the highly gendered nature of this crime that involves devastating exploitation in the sex industry, where more than 90% of the prostituted are vulnerable migrant women. We fight to stem the tide of this fast-growing crime by focusing on assistance to migrant women, while also working for the reduction of the demand from consumers that drive sexual exploitation. We monitor international developments to ensure we support women and girls in the best and most effective way possible. More here
Look what's just arrived! The latest edition of our free magazine. Excited to be sending it out this week - if you'd like a copy, email comms@medaille-trust.org.uk
My copy is on the way
Human Trafficking Has a Hidden Cause — and It's on the Rise Worldwide
Human Trafficking Has a Hidden Cause — and It's on the Rise Worldwide
After nearly two decades of international commitment to end modern slavery, one thing is clear: States are simply not doing enough. It is estimated that there are 40.3 million victims of modern slavery, including sex trafficking and forced marriage. Eighty percent are victims of forced labor — a problem that is poorly understood by the general public. Twenty-five percent of trafficking victims worldwide are children.
Human trafficking is an epidemic in and of itself.
The best way to defeat Human Trafficking is to defend Democracy
The best way to defeat Human Trafficking is to defend Democracy
more here
Surviving the Sex Trade
Surviving the Sex Trade
I am a working class, British Irish woman from the West Midlands. I am a mother, a former teacher and a bestselling author. I have volunteered for the last six years at a drop in service that provides support to women in street prostitution, and I am trustee of a charity which provides both harm reduction support and exit services. More here
I am a working class, British Irish woman from the West Midlands. I am a mother, a former teacher and a bestselling author. I have volunteered for the last six years at a drop in service that provides support to women in street prostitution, and I am trustee of a charity which provides both harm reduction support and exit services. More here
I wasn't prepared for how young human trafficking victims would be
I wasn't prepared for how young human trafficking victims would be
As the UN calls on governments to do more to stop human trafficking, a Sky News team travels to Romania to investigate the issue.
As the UN calls on governments to do more to stop human trafficking, a Sky News team travels to Romania to investigate the issue.
By Mark Stone, Europe correspondent in Romania
"You can sell the gun once. But you can sell the girl two times, three times. And the price increases because you have trained her. And this is how it started," More here
Human trafficking is a heinous crime happening all around us. The victims are subject to forced labour, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse, UN SG @antonioguterres says for the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. https://t.co/bLjxTp97L0#EndHumanTrafficking https://t.co/lRRf6ovdcK
Boon, not burden: more support for ex-slaves seen boosting UK economy
Boon, not burden: more support for ex-slaves seen boosting UK economy
The financial benefits of providing 12 months of assistance to people who are recognised by the government as victims would far outweigh the costs
By Kieran Guilbert
LONDON, July 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Giving more support to survivors of modern slavery and allowing them to remain in Britain for a year could boost the economy by millions of pounds, university researchers said on Wednesday. More here
UK slavery network 'had 400 victims'
UK slavery network 'had 400 victims'
Members of a gang behind the biggest modern-day slavery network ever exposed in the UK have been jailed.
Police believe more than 400 victims were put to work in the West Midlands by the organised crime gang.
They tricked vulnerable people from Poland into England with the promise of work and a better life.
But their victims were made to live in rat-infested houses and work menial jobs, it can now be reported after reporting restrictions were lifted. More here
Top L-R: Ignacy Brzezinski, Jan Sadowski, Julianna Chodakowicz, Justyna Parczewska. Bottom L-R: Marek Brzezinski, Natalia Zmuda, Wojciech Nowakowski, Marek Chowaniec
How I became a victim of a modern slavery gang
How I became a victim of a modern slavery gang
By Duncan StaffBBC Panorama
Eight human traffickers have been jailed following the UK's biggest ever modern slavery prosecution.
The five men and three women, who were members of a Polish organised crime group, enslaved hundreds of desperate and vulnerable people.
They promised their victims a better life before robbing them - embroiling high street banks, employment agencies and some of Britain's biggest companies in a vast web of criminal exploitation.
BBC Panorama has been following the investigation for two years.
'I thought, why not?'
'I thought, why not?'
"Worst thing I ever did [was] leaving the Foreign Legion," says Mariusz Rykaczewski. "Two more years and I'd have got a pension." More here
'I worry they are trafficked': is the UK's first 'legal' red light zone working?
'I worry they are trafficked': is the UK's first 'legal' red light zone working?
Leeds’ managed zone for prostitution was meant to make life safer for women, but, amid a firestorm of opposition, who is benefiting from the radical approach?
A prostitute waits for a customer on the streets of Holbeck. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
During the day the Holbeck industrial zone looks pretty innocuous. Perched on the southern edge of Leeds city centre, it backs on to residential streets peppered with betting shops, newsagents and takeaways.
Yet at night this industrial zone becomes something very different. It transforms into the UK’s first designated red light zone where, between the hours of 8pm-6am, street prostitution operates openly with neither the women nor the sex buyers facing prosecution. More here
The war on slavery
The war on slavery
Wednesday 17 July 2019 5:30PM (view full episode)
Today, despite being illegal everywhere, 40-45 million people live in slavery.
Two thirds in our region.
A quarter, children.
The largest number of slaves the world has ever seen.
And this week's episode of Four Corners on the persecution of the Uyghur Muslims in China, raised big questions about the use of slave labour in clothing sourced back to China. Several retailers in Australia are now checking their supply lines.
UK's former anti-slavery commissioner Kevin Hyland has been in Australia meeting political and business leaders and discussing this scourge.
The event, which was held at parliament house, was hosted by War on Slavery and moderated by co-founder Jane Jeffes.
“Seeing justice done was worth waiting for” – Medaille Trust worker. On Friday we shared the amazing news that a vast slavery gang had finally been convicted https://bit.ly/32abFBw Once rescued, many of their victims came into our northern safe house network. You can make sure others like them always receive the specialist support needed by donating today or giving a little each month https://medaille-trust.org.uk/give
More here
Birmingham Churches Together
A Close Look at the Look Up Project
June 7th, 2019A Close Look at the Look Up Project
The Medaille Trust is a charity founded in 2006, working in response to the plight of thousands of people who are being trafficked into the UK each year. In February, alongside the Catholic Arcdiocese of Birmingham, they celebrated the Annual Service for Saint Josephine Bakhita by announcing the launch of a new six-year ‘Look Up’ awareness campaign. Saint Josephine is the patron saint of human trafficking victims, and was sold as a slave several times out of her birthplace of Sudan into Italy. More here
Religious in Europe networking against Trafficking and Exploitation Facebook Page here
EXCLUSIVE: Birch Services revealed as hot spot for human trafficking
EXCLUSIVE: Birch Services revealed as hot spot for human trafficking
It's been revealed Birch Services at Heywood is one of the region's hot spots for trafficked illegal immigrants.
Rochdale Council and Greater Manchester Police are cracking down on a trade which sees people dumped here, often on the same night, passed between traffickers or looking to seek asylum. More here
Look what's just arrived! The latest edition of our free magazine. Excited to be sending it out this week - if you'd like a copy, email comms@medaille-trust.org.uk
Parliamentarians debate the urgent need to protect victims of trafficking from indefinite immigration detention
Parliamentarians debate the urgent need to protect victims of trafficking from indefinite immigration detention
JRS UK mentioned in Westminster Hall debate regarding victims of human trafficking in detention More here
11 July 2019
Ireland a destination for child trafficking gangs, warns Europol
Ireland a destination for child trafficking gangs, warns Europol
Ireland has been identified as a destination for victims of child trafficking networks in a new report published by Europol.
The report, detailing cases of underage trafficking within and into the EU, revealed 302 cases - some which included more than one victim - in the two-year period between 2015 and 2017. More here
Survivors of modern slavery have their voices heard in new collection
Survivors of modern slavery have their voices heard in new collection
Nottingham
Nottingham
The world’s largest online archive of modern slavery survivor testimonies has been launched by experts from the Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham.
The VOICES database, which currently houses thousands of stories including an initial 800 that are publicly available, is the world's first and largest collection of survivor testimonies, in their own words. Its development was supported by the AHRC grant 'The Antislavery Usable Past' led at Nottingham. More here
A sex trafficking survivor helps create new technology to get help for victims
A sex trafficking survivor helps create new technology to get help for victims
Thompson and her husband came up with the idea to put coded stickers up in places like airports and gas station restrooms where sex trafficking victims might end up while being transported.When the sticker is scanned, a link pops up on your cell phone that provides information on how victims can get help.
CBS12 News scanned the sticker at Thompson’s home, where boxes of them are stored until they get put up. More here
British police bust Kurdish human trafficking gang
British police bust Kurdish human trafficking gang
By Zhelwan Z. Wali 25/7/2019
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Thirteen members of a gang which illegally trafficked people from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to the United Kingdom have been convicted, British police authorities announced Wednesday.
The final convictions handed down by London’s Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday follow a two-year investigation led by detectives of the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).
The gang was “convicted of offences including conspiracy to assist in unlawful immigration, money laundering, and perverting the course of justice”, SEROCU said. More here
2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Release
2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Release
The U.S. Department of State released the 19th annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was joined by John Cotton Richmond, the Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking-in-Persons, and Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the President, honored 8 individuals as TIP Report Heroes in recognition for their unique contributions to fighting human trafficking worldwide. More here inclusive of link to the report itself.
The U.S. Department of State released the 19th annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was joined by John Cotton Richmond, the Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking-in-Persons, and Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the President, honored 8 individuals as TIP Report Heroes in recognition for their unique contributions to fighting human trafficking worldwide. More here inclusive of link to the report itself.
Canterbury schoolgirl reveals horror of life inside county lines drugs gang
Canterbury schoolgirl reveals horror of life inside county lines drugs gang
A former schoolgirl has told how she was lured into the dark world of county lines drugs gangs - aged just 11.
We are protecting the identity of the girl, who went to school in Canterbury, for her own safety.
Here is her harrowing story. More here
Global Sisters Report
Global Sisters Report
Advocates work to stop human trafficking's causes like poverty, exploitation of human rights
Advocates work to stop human trafficking's causes like poverty, exploitation of human rights
More here
July 25th 2019
June 2019
June 2019
Train Traveler's Tweet Leads to Rescue of 26 Young Girls From Sex Trafficking June 26th 2019
Train Traveler's Tweet Leads to Rescue of 26 Young Girls From Sex Trafficking June 26th 2019
More than two dozen children were rescued from attempted sex-trafficking on board an Indian railroad after an observant rider tweeted about the suspicious travelers.
More than two dozen children were rescued from attempted sex-trafficking on board an Indian railroad after an observant rider tweeted about the suspicious travelers.
Twenty-six “juvenile girls” from West Champaran in Bihar were found being taken from Narkatikyaganj to Idgah on the Muzaffarpur-Bandra Awadh Express, after a passenger tweeted his concerns about the unusual group he witnessed, Gulf News reported. More here
Twenty-six “juvenile girls” from West Champaran in Bihar were found being taken from Narkatikyaganj to Idgah on the Muzaffarpur-Bandra Awadh Express, after a passenger tweeted his concerns about the unusual group he witnessed, Gulf News reported. More here
June 11th 2019
June 11th 2019
How do we halt the selling of women?
How do we halt the selling of women?
Global Sisters Report tells us of some of the stories recounted at the most recent CSW in the UN. Some women told stories from their own lives, of girls and women being lured, threatened, captured, forced, and sometimes murdered so that sex can be sold. Are we going forward in this struggle? Is it getting better for women? Unfortunately, it seems to me that the painful and sad cases of violations — especially relating to domestic violence and the commercial sale of women and children for sex — are worsening. In these cases, men are the main violators, but women can be involved and can profit, especially in the gigantic, horrid business of human trafficking. More here
Almost A Third Of Human Trafficking Victims Are Children: UN Report
Almost A Third Of Human Trafficking Victims Are Children: UN Report
The ''Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2018'' from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) draws on information from 142 countries, examining trafficking trends and patterns.
UNITED NATIONS: Trafficking victims from South Asian countries including India are detected in many parts of Europe, according to a new UN report that said human trafficking has taken "horrific dimensions" with children accounting for a third of those being trafficked. More here
June 4th Number of UK child slavery cases up by nearly 800% in two years, figures show
June 4th Number of UK child slavery cases up by nearly 800% in two years, figures show
Child slavery cases in the UK have surged by nearly 800 per cent in just two years, new figures show.
Data published in the Modern Slavery Police Transformation Programme's annual report show there were 475 police operations into child slavery in the UK last month, compared with 53 in April 2017.
One in three probes into modern slavery now concern children after an explosion in county lines drugs gangs preying on youngsters and exploiting them to distribute their product, the report states. More here
June 4th Anti-human-trafficking action needs greater collaboration, conference hears
June 4th Anti-human-trafficking action needs greater collaboration, conference hears
By Ann Marie Foley -
“This year the big thing has been how to build upon collaboration with law enforcement. That is a critical component to combating human trafficking, but also in terms of getting the message out there to the criminals that there is joined-up thinking going on around the world.”
There are on average 70 victims of human trafficking identified in Ireland every year and of this 7 per cent are children. Many more are not recorded officially. More here
June 4th
June 4th
23 trafficking victims who came from abroad helped by Immigrant Council of Ireland last year
23 trafficking victims who came from abroad helped by Immigrant Council of Ireland last year
A TOTAL OF 23 victims of trafficking who came from abroad were provided with assistance by the Immigrant Council of Ireland last year.
That’s according to the Council’s impact report for 2018, which has been published today. More here
June 4th 2019
June 4th 2019
In Scotland as part of the VNR Writing Group this was one submission that came into us that I thought resonated with some of the work that we are involved in in the Midlands UK and in other IPA Countries.
In Scotland as part of the VNR Writing Group this was one submission that came into us that I thought resonated with some of the work that we are involved in in the Midlands UK and in other IPA Countries.
Dear All,
I thought the following would be of interest as the implications of Modern Slavery cut across a number of the SDGs.
Compliance by businesses with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 continues to be a hot topic in the wake of the UK Home Office’s “postal offensive” late last year, with some 17,000 letters being issued to organisations it believes are legally required to publish Slavery and Human Trafficking Statements. In spring this year the UK Government released online guidance to help identify whether your organisation is one to which the 2015 Act requirement to publish a statement applies.
Do you (us in the Scottish VNR Writing Group) need to publish a statement?
The 2015 Act places a “transparency” responsibility on certain businesses to issue a public statement every year showing what steps it has taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of its business or in its supply chains. If no such steps were taken then the organisation must make that clear in its statement.
Organisations themselves are responsible for determining whether or not they are caught by the legislation.
The 2015 Act sets out that businesses must publish a statement if they (1) supply goods or services; (2) carry on any part of their business in the UK (regardless of place of incorporation) and (3) have an annual total turnover of at least £36million.
The new guidance now helpfully expands on some of these criteria.
Turnover
Total turnover, for the purposes of the 2015 Act, is to be arrived at by totalling the turnover of the organisation and the turnover of any of its subsidiary undertakings, including those operating wholly outside the UK.
Carrying on business in the UK
This requires a “demonstrable business presence” in the UK. The new guidance provides that the following (non-exhaustive) considerations would be relevant:
- being registered at UK Companies House
- having UK offices
- providing service or support functions in the UK
- receiving income in the UK
- having “other visible UK business presence, for example a website”.
Holding companies and group companies
The new guidance acknowledges that “some holding companies may not meet the criteria for publishing a statement, for example, because they do not provide goods or services”. The guidance also emphasises that subsidiary organisations can decide to publish separate statements, reflecting the different nature of their businesses, or alternatively the group can publish one statement covering all entities which meet the 2015 Act criteria. Organisations must ensure that the relevant requirements for such group statements are met.
Charities and investment trusts
These entities must publish a statement if they meet the 2015 Act criteria. In calculating whether or not a charity meets the £36million annual turnover threshold, donations, legacies and grants (where the donor receives no service or benefit) are, according to the new guidance, “generally not considered to be derived from business activities so do not need to be included”. But consideration should be given to whether grant income might be seen to be derived from business activities.
What do you need to include in a statement?
There is existing UK Government guidance on Transparency in Supply Chains, which sets out expectations and best practice on what to actually include in a statement. The Scottish Government has also published its own suite of guidance, Slavery and Human Trafficking: Guidance for Businesses in Scotland, which it says is “designed to complement UK Government guidance, and other relevant resources”.
Government and public scrutiny of slavery and human trafficking statements is now the norm. Responsible businesses are taking steps to ensure they can positively state the steps taken to prevent slavery or human trafficking in their operations and supply chains. You should assess which parts of your corporate group meet the 2015 Act qualifying criteria for publication of a statement, and whether your existing statements are legally compliant.
Ewen Cairns
Global Sisters Report
Global Sisters Report
Talitha Kum, Galileo Foundation back photo exhibit of anti-trafficking ministry
Talitha Kum, Galileo Foundation back photo exhibit of anti-trafficking ministry
Global Sisters Report is focusing on the efforts of sisters to end human trafficking as Talitha Kum, the international anti-trafficking network of religious, marks its 10th anniversary and launches its Nuns Healing Hearts campaign. The special series will run periodically through September, when Talitha Kum will hold its first general assembly. Since its founding in 2014, GSR has dedicated a section of its coverage to sisters who in various ways fight human trafficking. Read all of our coverage.
More here
June 4th 2019
June 4th 2019
In Scotland as part of the VNR Writing Group this was one submission that came into us that I thought resonated with some of the work that we are involved in in the Midlands UK and in other IPA Countries.
In Scotland as part of the VNR Writing Group this was one submission that came into us that I thought resonated with some of the work that we are involved in in the Midlands UK and in other IPA Countries.
Dear All,
I thought the following would be of interest as the implications of Modern Slavery cut across a number of the SDGs.
Compliance by businesses with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 continues to be a hot topic in the wake of the UK Home Office’s “postal offensive” late last year, with some 17,000 letters being issued to organisations it believes are legally required to publish Slavery and Human Trafficking Statements. In spring this year the UK Government released online guidance to help identify whether your organisation is one to which the 2015 Act requirement to publish a statement applies.
Do you need to publish a statement?
The 2015 Act places a “transparency” responsibility on certain businesses to issue a public statement every year showing what steps it has taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of its business or in its supply chains. If no such steps were taken then the organisation must make that clear in its statement.
Organisations themselves are responsible for determining whether or not they are caught by the legislation.
The 2015 Act sets out that businesses must publish a statement if they (1) supply goods or services; (2) carry on any part of their business in the UK (regardless of place of incorporation) and (3) have an annual total turnover of at least £36million.
The new guidance now helpfully expands on some of these criteria.
Turnover
Total turnover, for the purposes of the 2015 Act, is to be arrived at by totalling the turnover of the organisation and the turnover of any of its subsidiary undertakings, including those operating wholly outside the UK.
Carrying on business in the UK
This requires a “demonstrable business presence” in the UK. The new guidance provides that the following (non-exhaustive) considerations would be relevant:
- being registered at UK Companies House
- having UK offices
- providing service or support functions in the UK
- receiving income in the UK
- having “other visible UK business presence, for example a website”.
Holding companies and group companies
The new guidance acknowledges that “some holding companies may not meet the criteria for publishing a statement, for example, because they do not provide goods or services”. The guidance also emphasises that subsidiary organisations can decide to publish separate statements, reflecting the different nature of their businesses, or alternatively the group can publish one statement covering all entities which meet the 2015 Act criteria. Organisations must ensure that the relevant requirements for such group statements are met.
Charities and investment trusts
These entities must publish a statement if they meet the 2015 Act criteria. In calculating whether or not a charity meets the £36million annual turnover threshold, donations, legacies and grants (where the donor receives no service or benefit) are, according to the new guidance, “generally not considered to be derived from business activities so do not need to be included”. But consideration should be given to whether grant income might be seen to be derived from business activities.
What do you need to include in a statement?
There is existing UK Government guidance on Transparency in Supply Chains, which sets out expectations and best practice on what to actually include in a statement. The Scottish Government has also published its own suite of guidance, Slavery and Human Trafficking: Guidance for Businesses in Scotland, which it says is “designed to complement UK Government guidance, and other relevant resources”.
Government and public scrutiny of slavery and human trafficking statements is now the norm. Responsible businesses are taking steps to ensure they can positively state the steps taken to prevent slavery or human trafficking in their operations and supply chains. You should assess which parts of your corporate group meet the 2015 Act qualifying criteria for publication of a statement, and whether your existing statements are legally compliant.
Modern Day Slavery Rated World’s Largest Single Crime Industry
Modern Day Slavery Rated World’s Largest Single Crime Industry
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 25 2019 (IPS) - After an exhaustive study of modern day slavery, the Geneva-based International Labour Organization (ILO) concluded there are over 40 million people who are victims of slavery, including 25 million in forced labour and 15 million in forced marriages – with at least 71 percent of them comprising women and girls.
The current figures are reportedly even higher since the release of the 2017 landmark study titled ‘Global Estimates of Modern Slavery,’ which was a collaborative effort with the Walk Free Foundation, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). More here May 14th
EXCLUSIVE: UK refusing asylum to more ex-child slaves despite safety fears
EXCLUSIVE: UK refusing asylum to more ex-child slaves despite safety fears
Many teenage survivors are sent back to nations where they have no relatives and end up prey once more to traffickers More here
In Britain, 2,118 children suspected to have been trafficked - mostly trapped in sexual exploitation, domestic servitude or forced labour - were referred to the government last year, up 66 percent on 2016 and marking the highest annual number on record.
While about a third were British, many used as drug runners, hundreds were trafficked from countries such as Vietnam, Sudan, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iraq, according to government figures.
Britain is considered an international leader in the fight against slavery having passed the 2015 Modern Slavery Act to jail traffickers for life, better protect vulnerable people, and compel large businesses to address the threat of forced labour.
Interpol: Hundreds of Human Trafficking Victims Rescued in West Africa
Interpol: Hundreds of Human Trafficking Victims Rescued in West Africa
Over 200 victims of human trafficking, 157 of them children, were rescued by police in Benin and Nigeria in an operation led by Interpol. More here
May 14th
The Power of Why?: Addressing the Root Causes of Human Trafficking More here
The Power of Why?: Addressing the Root Causes of Human Trafficking More here
- There is an old, and perhaps over-used story, about a village on the edge of a river and babies. Perhaps you’ve heard the parable of the “Baby in the River.” It goes something like this:
Church of Scotland to tackle 'great scandal' of human trafficking.
Church of Scotland to tackle 'great scandal' of human trafficking.
THE Church of Scotland has made a fresh commitment to tackle the “scandal” of human trafficking and modern slavery by signing a declaration to work with the Scottish Government and other statutory services.
Writing in the Sunday National today the Very Rev Dr Derek Browning, former moderator of the Church of Scotland, claimed modern slavery is “one of the great moral scandals of our time”. Faith communities such as the Church of Scotland must play a part in helping to highlight and eradicate it, he added. More here
April 23rd 2019
April 23rd 2019
Slavery was supposed to be abolished over 180 years ago – so why is it rife within modern Britain?
Slavery was supposed to be abolished over 180 years ago – so why is it rife within modern Britain?
The curse of modern slavery and human trafficking lives on in modern Britain. In fact it thrives. And the recorded numbers are believed to be only the tip of the iceberg. Why is there not more noise, concern and consternation on view. Would the same level of disregard be shown by British authorities if a British citizen disappeared into modern slavery. Anti Slavery International is 180 years old this week and their sincerest aim is to cease to exist, but this can only happen when slavery is abolished. It's not. In fact in Midland Britain the hostility shown to migrant workers makes those afraid to come forward. Indeed the Victim Support Bill lies in wait for it's second reading as Brexit convulses the nation and sucks the oxygen out of all that needs airing. Indeed those who are survivors of Human Trafficking or Modern Slavery are treated like offenders as opposed to victims. There are stories of women who were trafficked at three years of age and found to be so but told by British Immigration Authorities that they must enter detention centres with their children who are the children of rape. The mother has no idea where she came from and the children too are undocumented. And all continue to be treated appallingly. Britain should be ashamed. More here
April 23rd 2019
April 23rd 2019
Non-EEA migrants on Irish trawlers gain new immigration rights
Non-EEA migrants on Irish trawlers gain new immigration rights
African and Asian migrants working on Irish fishing trawlers are to be given new immigration rights to protect them from trafficking and modern slavery.
Non-EEA fishing workers will no longer be tied to employers and will be able to leave a boat to find other work without fear of deportation under a new immigration agreement between the Irish government and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the Guardian has learned.
The deal, concluded to stave off litigation, comes after the ITF took the unprecedented step of taking the Irish government to the high court in Dublin for facilitating modern slavery with its permit scheme for fishing workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) last year. More here
April 16th
April 16th
Pope's Good Friday meditation to focus on human trafficking
Pope's Good Friday meditation to focus on human trafficking
The Vatican said Friday that Francis had asked an Italian nun who rescues migrant women forced to work as prostitutes to compose the meditations. They will be read aloud at the torch-lit ritual re-enacting Christ's crucifixion at Rome's Colosseum on April 19, the Friday before Easter.
Sister Eugenia Bonetti is a well-known campaigner in the field of human trafficking.
Francis has frequently denounced migrant smugglers as "merchants of human flesh," who exploit the most desperate in society for their own gain. More here
April 16th 2019
April 16th 2019
How UK asylum system creates perfect conditions for modern slavery and exploitation to thrive . Asylum seekers in the UK receive £37.75 a week to live on, and most are prohibited from working. But this small amount of money often fails to allow people to meet their basic needs. This leads some to search for work to supplement their income. But herein lies the problem, as the only people willing to employ them are those happy to do so illegally. This leaves asylum seekers with no bargaining power to negotiate reasonable pay or working conditions. More here
April 1st 2019 The Price of Free
April 1st 2019 The Price of Free
Earlier this year I sent to all a wonderful trafficking toolkit that had all manner of resources and one the recommendations was to watch the YouTube Documentary entitled The Price of Free. This documentary is 90 minutes long and was the best 90 minutes of my weekend. It showed how courage and persistence can overcome child slavery and trafficking as was endemic in India where children were enslaved in factories. We get a wonderful insight into the structural poverty that persists in corrupt India. This is a real story of hope and is extremely uplifting. It was far and away the best documentary that I have seen in such a long time. Prescribed and mandatory watching for all, I'd submit. I have pulled the Toolkit back up to sit just beneath the film.
This Anti Trafficking Toolkit was prepared by the Mercy Sisters in advance of Feb 8th the day we remember St, Josephine Bakhita. The toolkit contains
Have a look at the Sweat and Toil App that I downloaded to learn what goods are children manufacturing and what countries are involved in the manufacture. There is lots to learn here.
- Facts and Figures re Hum Trafficking
- Explanation of the Day of Prayer
- Talking Points
- Sample Letters
- Social Media Examples
- Community Engagement Ideas
- Suggested Intercessions and prayers.
anti-trafficking-toolkit-2019.pdfBritish Police Make Slavery Victims Feel Less Safe, Warns 'Super-Complaint' (March 27th)
British Police Make Slavery Victims Feel Less Safe, Warns 'Super-Complaint' (March 27th)
A landmark complaint has been filed to a watchdog over fears slaves are treated like criminals.
A landmark complaint has been filed to a watchdog over fears slaves are treated like criminals.
A British anti-slavery group filed a landmark "super-complaint" to a police watchdog on Monday warning that officers are hampering prosecutions by treating slavery victims as criminal suspects or failing to make them feel safe during interviews.
Traumatised survivors often refuse to cooperate with police or fail to report their abusers in the first place as a result of aggressive questioning or being left distressed during investigations, said Hestia — a charity that supports victims. (www.Hestia.org is an alliance of the Presentation Justice Desk.
Hestia constantly complain about the 45 days of support that is currently afforded to those rescued from modern slavery and they too exhort others to email the UK MPs to support the Moden Slavery Victim Support Bill (as the Presentation People in England have already done). You can read more here
Email to once again urge your MP to Support this Bill here (England only)
March 21st 2019
March 21st 2019
UK modern slavery cases involving children doubles
UK modern slavery cases involving children doubles
Rise attributed to criminal gangs exploiting children in ‘county lines’ drug dealing. Data from the National Crime Agency (NCA) showed the number of modern slavery cases involving UK children rose from 676 in 2017 to 1,421 in 2018. ( I was alerted to this by Sr. Teresa Kennedy in England).
“However, the more we look, the more we find, and it is likely these figures represent only a snapshot of the true scale of slavery and trafficking in the UK. Of particular concern is the increase in referrals made for county lines-type exploitation. These are often vulnerable individuals – often children – who are exploited by criminal gangs for the purposes of drug trafficking.” More here
March 19th 2019
March 19th 2019
Sr Teresa Kennedy from the Midlands in England alerted me to the following report of the successful prosecution of two men who were convicted of running a brothel and were jailed for human trafficking in Derby. The full account can be read here
FEBRUARY 2019: Human Trafficking
"Although we try to ignore it, slavery is not something from other times. Faced with this tragic reality, no one can wash their hands of it without being, in some way, an accomplice to this crime against humanity. We cannot ignore the fact that there is as much slavery in the world today as there was before, or perhaps more. Let us pray for a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence." Pope Francis for the World day of prayer against Human Trafficking www.preghieracontrotratta.org FEBRUARY 2019: Human Trafficking
Have a look at the official photos from yesterday's St Bakhita event at St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham are now available online. A Carmelite sister from Lincoln attended the event and brought with her a relic, a fragment of bone of St Josephine Bakhita https://flic.kr/s/aHsmycHLtB
Slavery in Britain: the photographer documenting the streets where people have been held.
Slavery in Britain: the photographer documenting the streets where people have been held.
About 13,000 people (a number known as the "Dark Figure"), are kept in slavery in the UK. Amy Romer’s book The Dark Figure* reveals the terrifying ordinariness of the sites of their captivity. She has taken photographs of ordinary homes and housing estates that have subsequently been outed as places where people have been enslaved. What is worrying is that when it became known the neighbours were completely astonished to find out that such an insidious crime could happen while they looked on unaware. This book which began as a self-funded thesis is now the go to training manual for the police in the UK (midlands in particular). You can read more about it here (I have subsequently purchased the book).
As affiliated Members of RENATE Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation we take this opportunity to advertise this timely event in The Atrium of the Department of Justice. This event will be addressed by the Transition Year students of St, Josephs in Tuam a Presentation Secondary School. The Event is also supported by AMRI and APT Ireland
Listen to a special report from Pope Francis on Friday as he receives in audience members of the Galileo Foundation, telling them on the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, the patron of victims of human trafficking, that Christians can follow her great example. This Vatican Report can be heard here (Scroll down when you go to this page to hear the Radio Report).
Read the interim Report on Modern Slavery here. In July 2018, the Home Secretary, at the request of the Prime Minister, announced a review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The members of the review are Frank Field MP (chairman), Maria Miller MP and the Baroness Butler-Sloss. This is the second interim report from the review. As part of the review, the members were invited to give their views on transparency in supply chains. This report looks at the question of increasing transparency in supply chains. The report includes findings and a summary of recommendations. Published 22 January 2019
People are gathering across the world Feb. 8 in prayer and observances of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. Pope Francis started this observance in 2015 on the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in her home country of Sudan and Italy. She gained her freedom in Italy, became a Canossian Sister and dedicated her life to helping the poor and testifying against slavery. Catholic women religious are united in the fight against human trafficking in networks that literally span the globe, and often partner with other organizations dedicated to the effort. Several examples of those efforts were cited in GSR's January edition of The Life, our monthly panel of sisters who reflect on various topics. You can read more about it on the Global Sisters Report here
Prayer Against Human Trafficking
Prayer_Against_Human_Trafficking.docxGoogle Sites
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