MODERN SLAVERY
We talk to three charities fighting human exploitation in the UK
majority of the population is not even aware of it. Even those who are have pretty stereotypical views of what trafficking looks like. That can even be the case among the organisations that are suppor ting vulnerable groups.
“Emotionally, it is a difficult area to work in. The stories are hear t breaking and you can hardly believe this is happening in our society. One victim of trafficking I met was a British man who’d been held for for ty years in a garden shed in a residential street. He was recovered after the new owner of the house next door saw that someone was living in there and repor ted it.
“A lovely woman in her 50s I met had been held for decades in domestic ser vitude. She was recovered after being repor ted by someone who had visited the house to repair a kitchen appliance. The utility room door was open a little, and they spotted bedding there. She had slept in that little room for years, only being given scraps to eat and she only had one set of clothing.
“At SOHTIS we want to bring long term freedom to victims and sur vivors of human trafficking, with suppor t to rebuild their lives. We find ways to identify people who’ve been trafficked and to give them the suppor t they need, allowing them to make informed choices about their next steps. For example, we have been engaging and building up trust with homeless people on the streets of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Many have suffered exploitation, yet don’t identify themselves as victims.
“Our approach is person centred and tailored to individual need. Some might have accommodation but need suppor t to access mental health or medical
Call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 to get help, report a suspicious activity or to seek advice. Learn to spot the signs at ser vices, while others have complex needs. We work with organisations that suppor t vulnerable people, to help them spot the signs of trafficking. We also offer an ESOL programme (English for Speakers of Other Languages) as in Scotland the majority of people being recovered, unlike the rest of the UK, are from non-EU countries and are not native English speakers.
“I feel passionately that ever yone deser ves to live in freedom with dignity and respect and I will work tirelessly to ensure that as many people as we can reach will receive that freedom to live the rest of their life as they choose.
“Repor t suspicious activity to the Modern Slaver y Helpline. You can anonymously repor t anything that you see and that you don’t feel comfor table with, or which doesn’t seem right. We can all do something to help.”
www.sohtis.org