Hello to the CARE community! My name is Lydia Bowden and I recently took over Rachel’s role as Prostitution and Human Trafficking Policy Officer. Having volunteered at CARE since the beginning of the year, I am keen to continue the great work that I have watched closely over the last four months. Rachel’s diligence has been the reason behind much of the success of CARE’s campaigns – most recently the UK Government’s decision to opt in to the EU Directive. Although she will be dearly missed, we do wish her the best in her new endeavours.

By way of a brief introduction, my passion to work in the anti-trafficking sector began in 2005 when I first read about the issue of modern-day slavery in Gary Haugen’s book Terrify No More. After completing my studies in America, I moved to Moscow, Russia where I spent two years assisting victims of trafficking, refugees and economic migrants, mainly from Africa and the Middle East. My primary role was to develop the charity’s programmes which included legal assistance, refugee resettlement, medical care and food aid. I have an interest in issues of human trafficking both in the UK and abroad and I look forward to growing in my knowledge and continuing the work of CARE.

Please continue to follow Loose the Chains on Twitter, Facebook and of course the blog site. I look forward to interacting with all of CARE’s supporters!