Let's eradicate modern day slavery together!

Chairman of the BPCA, Wilson Chowdhry, was invited to a roundtable discussion on modern day slavery at the House of Lords, on Tuesday 10th March 2014.  The meeting was chaired by Baroness Butler-Sloss, Vice Chair of the Human Trafficking Foundation, and guests included: 

• Rt Hon Theresa May MP,  Home Secretary
• Karen Bradley MP, Minister for Modern Slavery,
• Lord Bates, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Home Office
• Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, Churches Together England
• Kevin Hyland OBE  Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss growing concerns about modern day slavery, in the UK and globally, with an intent on bringing NGOs on a level platform in order that a more collaborative approach to eradicating this social malaise could be fostered.

Home Secretary Theresa May described the new Anti Slavery Bill currently going through parliament which ostensibly has cross-party support.   She said:

"The bill creates two new civil orders to prevent modern slavery, establishes an Anti-Slavery Commissioner and makes provision for the protection of modern slavery victims."

Chairman Wilson Chowdhry, asked what provisions will be made to prevent victims being treated like criminals by the authorities.  He noted that historically many victims of modern day slavery had been automatically deported, despite being unable to return to their families or old lifestyle, and few had received any counselling.

The Home Secretary replied that a lack of training and understanding had resulted in poor decisions in the past, but the new structure will have procedures in place to protect victims.

Kevin Hyland OBE, Independent Anti Slavery Commissioner (acting as designate Commissioner until the Bill achieves Royal Assent, expected to be next year), said:

"I have seen first-hand how modern slavery can devastate lives and rid people of their dignity and humanity. I am proud to take up this position to work in the interests of these brave victims and to prevent more people becoming victims in the first place."

He spoke of a desire to work closely with law enforcement agencies, local authorities and third sector organisations to ensure modern day slavery issues are tackled in a coordinated and effective manner across the whole UK.

Wilson Chowdhry described the need to work on the silence in communities. Traditional reporting systems are not working, communities know where crime is happening but through a mixture of fear, insouciance, and limited understanding of whistle-blowing avenues, it is not being reported.  Wilson advised an ethnic mix of operatives that can effectively engage with all communities, a need for more direct reporting mechanisms and the promotion of them.  Mr Chowdhry also suggested working with countries like Pakistan on improving their systems in order for trafficking to be made harder at source.  More importantly there should be penalties such as a reduction in aid budgets, or their removal, for failure to improve.  

Mr Hyland agreed with Wilson, and met with him after the meeting.  He described how he felt his office might be able to advise better use of existing foreign aid budgets .  He suggested some be sequestered towards removing modern day slavery and trafficking from countries such as Pakistan.  Mr Chowdhry and Mr Hyland agreed to remain in contact over issues such as these.

At the end of the meeting Mary James (pseudonym), previously a victim of modern day slavery, described her ordeal.  She was forced to work in a home in South London and escaped only after she was discovered there by police. 

Mary James had been a victim of abuse at the hands of her stepfather from the age of seven and had then entered an abusive marriage.  A friend helped her escape Carribean to start a new life in the UK, promising work and shelter, but once she arrived at the new haven she was trapped into a life of domestic slavery.

Fortunately for her she kept evidence of the abuse and the slavery, and when police arrested her five years ago, she was able to explain that she was a victim not a criminal.  Police responded well to her allegations and this year she was finally granted indefinite stay.  In the coming months Mary James will be meeting her children for the first time in ten years and she is optimistic about her new life.

Mary James has agreed to speak at the Redbridge Easter Parade on Easter Monday 6th April 2015 (click here). She has good memories of Ilford, where she was housed initially after being caught and then helped by the authorities.  A resident here for one years, where freedom suddenly meant something, our town is special to her.  She comes with a strong purpose and mission this time, to describe the captivity she suffered so that others too, might be emancipated.

"I believe God has a purpose for my life and that is to help others."  I hope my words will prick the conscience of those who know about other victims, so that some help will be given to them."

Wilson Chowdhry said:

"I held back tears when hearing the account of Mary James.  She is a strong woman with great character.  Her story is one that needs to be told and I am glad she will be visiting our borough again to share her testimony, in her desire to help others.  The fact that slavery exists in modern times is a blight on humanity. I hope that the new Modern day slavery bill is expedited and that it can be used to lever change and finally eradicate this social malaise." 

Home Office ‘Modern Slavery Helpline’ (0800 0121 700) is a 24 hour number, run by the NSPCC. This is a public line which can be used by professionals, members of the public, and victims themselves.  For more information about the helpline (click here), where there is also an online form for reporting incidents or information confidentially.

 

There are some general signs of trafficking which members of the public should be aware of, which can be reported to either the police or the helpline, if necessary.  For a handy guide to these signs (click here).

The key message is that slavery can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time; please, be aware.