Coronavirus Response

The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has expressed concern about the impact of Coronavirus on the provision of support to victims and survivors of modern slavery. The Commissioner is working closely with NGOs, statutory bodies and government to encourage dialogue and share information:

• The Commissioner has written to the Home Office to raise her concerns. 
• The Commissioner has written to the sector to clarify information on support rates for victims and survivors.
• The Commissioner’s office has created a list of Q&As in response to queries raised at an NGO forum.
• Actions from a meeting held between the Commissioner, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and NGOs on labour exploitation can be found here.
• A note from a second meeting held between the Commissioner, GLAA and NGOs can be found here.

We are collating a list of resources for the sector. Please check back regularly and contact the office should you have concerns or further resources.

Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's Annual Report 2019-2020

Read the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's Annual Report 2019-2020 here.

Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's Strategic Plan 2019-2021

Read the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's Strategic Plan 2019-2021 here.

Clewer Initiative Lent Course - Women in the Shadows

‘Women in the Shadows,’ the new Lent Course from The Clewer Initiative, is fresh, hard-hitting and empowering. At the heart of the course are five mini-films which include survivor stories and expert interviews.

For more information or to sign up to receive The Clewer Initiative’s Lent Course, visit their website.

Home Office mailing list and resources - EU Settlement Scheme

The Home Office has created a community bulletin for stakeholder updates on the EU Settlement Scheme. You can sign up to this here. Further resources include a toolkit for community groups to support EU citizens to apply to stay in the UK and communications material. 

Report by the Bakhita Centre at St Mary's University - What Looks Promising for Tackling Modern Slavery: A review of practice-based research

A new report by Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse examines the role that practice-based research can play in policy development and survivor support. This report is intended to help inform policy and practice using materials not published in academic journals. It is intended to identify strengths that can be shared and built upon.

Read the report here

What is modern slavery?

Modern slavery is an umbrella term encompassing slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. Victims of modern slavery are unable to leave their situation of exploitation, controlled by threats, punishment, violence, coercion and deception. Slavery violates human rights, denying people of their right to life, freedom and security.