The 30th July is the annual World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of trafficking and to call upon governments, law enforcement, public services and society to improve their efforts to prevent trafficking by identifying and supporting victims.
Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Thousands of men, women and children end up in the hands of traffickers every year, often through being mislead to believe that they are being taken to work that will make their family better off, or by force or kidnap. Trafficked people lose their rights and have their identity documents taken away from them. They are forced to work, often doing hard labour or prostitution, for no reward. Many people are taken to unfamiliar countries where they don’t know the language and have no way of getting help.
The theme of this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is to, ‘Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind’. In the context of trafficking in persons, leaving people behind means:
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- failing to end the exploitation of trafficking victims,
- failing to support victim-survivors once they are free from their traffickers, and
- leaving identifiable groups vulnerable to traffickers.
For more information about trafficking and modern day slavery, and how to notice the signs that this may be taking place please visit: https://www.unseenuk.org/about-modern-slavery/spot-the-signs/
If you would like support, or you are concerned about someone else, please contact:
The Safeguarding Office – Please call us on 01364 645430 between Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4:30pm.
Unseen – A UK charity that provides safe houses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery.
24/7 Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline: 08000 121 700
https://www.unseenuk.org/working-with-survivors/