Justice
Human trafficking, modern day slavery and exploitation in the commercial sex industry are some of the grossest violations of human dignity. As Christians, God calls us to bring freedom and restoration to those who are oppressed and ill-treated as a sign of our commitment to Him.
CARE believes that every person is made in the image of God and that human trafficking is a violation of that fundamental truth. CARE has been working since 2006 for change through advocacy within the UK Parliaments and Assemblies and in Europe.
Reducing modern slavery starts with putting the needs of victims first. Join us in working to tackle demand for human trafficking, advocating for a longer period of support for victims, and for improved victim care – particularly for children.
Slavery is not a horror safely confined to the past; it continues to exist throughout the world, even in developed countries…Across the world slaves work and sweat and build and suffer.
When someone escapes from slavery, they need somewhere safe to say, medical treatment, mental health support, legal advice, education and support to rebuild their life.
Unlike victims of modern slavery in Northern Ireland and Scotland, the law in England and Wales does not currently give victims a right to support. This has left many victims of modern slavery homeless, destitute and at risk of being re-trafficked.
CARE has joined leading anti-trafficking charities and businesses to form the Free for Good campaign, which backs the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill. This Bill will give all victims at least 12 months of support in law.
Reducing modern slavery starts with putting the needs of victims first.
Join us in helping victims live free for good.
This Convention, of which the UK Government is a signatory, gives provision for the care and protection of people who have been trafficked and steps that should be taken to prevent trafficking.
Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human BeingsThe EU passed a Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. Along with other NGOs we successfully campaigned for the UK Government to opt-in to the Directive after the Government initially refused. The deadline for bringing the Directive into UK law passed on 6 April 2013. We continue to press the Government to implement the Directive to the fullest degree.
The EU Anti-trafficking DirectiveThis replaces criminal offences previously found in the Sexual Offences Act 2003, the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004 and the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. The Bill went through a long development process including a draft Bill scrutinised by MPs and peers, and many revisions were made before the Bill finally passed in March 2015.
Modern Slavery Act 2015This law began life as a private members Bill introduced by Lord Morrow MLA to the Northern Ireland Assembly in September 2013. The Act incorporate changes to the criminal offences similar to those made for England and Wales in the Modern Slavery Act but also provides much more comprehensive provisions to support victims and deter traffickers including making it illegal to pay for sexual services.
Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015This replaces criminal offences previously found in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, and Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. The law includes many similar provisions to those in the Northern Ireland Act including more extensive measures to support victims than are found in the Modern Slavery Act for England and Wales. The Bill was also amended to provide child trafficking victims with independent guardians and to ensure a strong presumption against prosecuting children for crimes committed as a result of exploitation.
Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015Lord McColl of Dulwich introduced a Private Members’ Bill to put support for victims of human trafficking into law in England and Wales as it already is in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Bill also gave people confirmed to be victims by the authorities a 12 month period of support in the UK including housing, money for basic needs and the help of a support worker. The Bill passed all stages in the House of Lords unamended.
Modern Slavery (Victim Support) BillA wide inquiry into modern slavery policy following several other reports critical of the Government’s progress over recent years. The Committee took evidence from a number of experts criticising the amount of support available to victims and expressing support for Lord McColl’s Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill.
Modern Slavery InquiryThe Government commissioned Frank Field MP, Maria Miller MP and Baroness Butler-Sloss to conduct an independent review of aspects of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. By March 2019 the Review had published four interim reports and among its recommendations suggested changes to strengthen the role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and allowing independent child trafficking advocates to continue supporting young people beyond their 18th birthday.
Independent Modern Slavery Act 2015 ReviewThe Government conceded its 45-day policy of support for confirmed victims of human trafficking is incompatible with the Trafficking Convention. Under this policy, once a person has been confirmed as a victim, they receive just 45 days more support, in what is called a ‘move on period’. This includes things like safe housing, advice and financial aid. The Home Office has said it will develop a ‘sustainable needs-based system for supporting victims of trafficking’.
Lord McColl re-introduces his Bill. The new version of the Bill gives victims a minimum of 12 months support to comply with the earlier Judicial Review. The Bill also includes provisions on data reporting, minimising the risk of child victims being re-trafficked, and extending a minimum of 12 months leave to remain to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Find out moreCARE works with Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP on an amendment calling for official guidance from the Govt on how to safeguard modern slavery victims during the covid-19 pandemic.
Read moreCARE works with Peers who ask the Government to confirm how rights for human trafficking victims will apply following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
Find out moreCARE NI help launch a new All Party Group at the Northern Ireland Assembly on modern slavery.
Find out moreCARE joins with other anti-trafficking campaigners to call on the UK Government to adopt the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill as part of its post-Covid agenda.
Read moreThe UK Government introduces a Nationality and Borders Bill to the Commons. While the Bill is primarily dealing with changes to the asylum system, there are several clauses to do with modern slavery.
Find out moreMPs debate the NBB and CARE helps raise concerns about the impact of the Bill on victims of modern slavery. The Bill passes and moves to Committee Stage.
Find out moreTo help raise awareness about the disastrous impact the NBB could have on modern slavery victims, CARE publishes a new briefing outlining 6 key concerns.
Read the briefingCARE NI appears before the Justice Committee and urges MLAs to increase guaranteed support for confirmed victims of modern slavery in Northern Ireland.
Read moreLord McColl introduces his Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill in the House of Lords during First Reading. The Bill aims to guarantee confirmed modern slavery victims in England and Wales at least 12 months support. The Bill joins the queue for a Second Reading.
Read moreFollowing pressure from MPs, during a debate on the Nationality and Borders Bill, the Government gave MPs: “an assurance that all those who receive a positive conclusive grounds decision and are in need of tailored support will receive appropriate individualised support for a minimum of 12 months", adding that further details will be set out "in relevant guidance". In response, MP Iain Duncan Smith said he expected the Government's words to be reflected in the face of the Bill.
Read moreFollowing months of work, CARE was invited to the public gallery as MLAs approved measures to give confirmed victims in Northern Ireland up to 12 months support and longer if required.
Read moreA leading NGO has warned that Ukrainian refugees face an acute risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation and called on governments to do more to protect the vulnerable.
Read articleHere are a range of resources to help you dig deeper on the issue of human trafficking.
How the Bill will impact modern slavery victims
The UK Government's Nationality and Borders Bill is primarily dealing with immigration and changes to the asylum system. But there are clauses in the Bill which relate to modern slavery. We are deeply concerned the overall impact will be hugely damaging for victims. Our briefing explains more.
Read moreThe inspiring story of Analiza Guevarra.
A Filipino woman who escaped modern slavery now spends her time fighting to free others through an organisation operating out of a south London church. Read more about her story.
Read moreThe Clewer Initiative have released a series of hard-hitting video's which show the reality of human trafficking and modern slavery here in the UK.
Watch more28-year-old Ope was brought from Nigeria to Coventry to work as a prostitute. Figures from the National Crime Agency show nearly 800 women and girls working in the sex trade were identified as trafficking victims in 2014, with many of those coming from West Africa. Ope told her story to the Victoria Derbyshire Programme. Her name and some have been changed for her own protection.
WatchCARE assisted with a report, by the University of Nottingham Human Rights Lab, which provided a cost-benefit analysis of Lord McColl's Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill. The report showed that the benefits and savings of providing longer-term support to survivors of modern slavery significantly outweigh the costs. It calls on the Government to implement the Bill as soon as possible.
Read the reportBBC Scotland produced the hard hitting investigation into "Humans for Sale" in 2017.
WatchIf you suspect an instance of trafficking in your area you can contact:
• the Police (101 or 999 if someone is in immediate danger)
• the National Modern Slavery Helpline (0800 0121 700 modernslaveryhelpline.org)
• Crimestoppers (0800 555 111crimestoppers-uk.org) where you can leave information anonymously
Do not confront a suspected trafficker or victim of trafficking. Your safety and that of any possible victims is of primary importance.
Contact the modern slavery helpline
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Together we can make a difference shaping our culture and society. Here are three things you can do right now…
We believe God cares deeply about those who are vulnerable and exploited. Join us in praying for victims to be properly supported and for perpetrators to be brought to justice.
Ask your MP to support key amendment to the Nationality and Borders Bill to give confirmed modern slavery victims at least 12 months support
Hold a Human Trafficking Sunday at your church