Vow to help eradicate modern day slavery
APLEDGE to continue working towards eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking in Halton has been drawn up.
Cllr Dave Cargill has proposed a motion which describes modern slavery as an ‘abhorrent abuse of human rights’ which ‘destroys lives’ in the UK.
The document said Halton Borough Council is a prominent member of the Cheshire Anti-Slavery Network, established in January 2015 and the Harmful Practices Group.
It said a three-year Modern Slavery Strategy was recently written, as well as an Action Plan on behalf of Cheshire police and the four local authority areas it covers.
The motion said: “It (modern slavery) affects people living and working in Halton as well as across the panCheshire area.
“It manifests in an appallingly wide range of forms.
“Adults and children – UK nationals and those from abroad – are exploited in the sex industry, through forced labour, domestic servitude in the home, and forced criminal activity.
“Nationally there have been ● numerous cases of exploitation in factories, fields, construction sites, brothels and houses.”
The motion proposes several points for the council to follow.
It includes working towards the ‘eradication’ of human trafficking and slavery in the borough, raising awareness and continuing to provide training amongst council employees, councillors and partners, as well as developing ‘clear systems’ for concerns to be raised and addressed.
The motion also proposes the council continues to play a leading role in the Cheshire Anti-Slavery ● Partnership.
The document said: “A number of victims have already been identified and supported across the borough and perpetrators held to account through targeted operations.
“These operations have been police-led but planned an executed through a strong partnership approach, with support from the community as well as a wide variety of professionals, including experts from Halton Housing, social care, safeguarding, as well as NHS partners and the fire service.
“This council is committed to pre- vent modern slavery and recognises a robust and strategic approach is required.
“Working across the region with partners including police, local authorities, health and faith sectors amongst others, we intend to continue the good work happening locally and develop our concerted and co-ordinated approach to prevent, identify, disrupt, stop and eradicate modern slavery in all its forms.”
The motion was discussed at a full Halton Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, October 18, after the Weekly News had gone to press.