Male slavery survivors at risk

– Male survivors of slavery in Britain are sleeping on the streets and many are too ashamed or afraid to seek support, putting them at renewed risk of being trafficked, a charity said yesterday.

Men who have been enslaved are far less likely than women to speak out and are often perceived as being less in need of help – leaving them isolated, homeless and prey once more to traffickers – according to research by British charity Hestia.

More than half the 218 male former slaves supported by Hestia in London had slept rough, with victims having been forced to work on farms, construction sites and cannabis factories, sold for sex or used as slaves in people’s homes.

Many male victims ended up on the streets after escaping their captors, while others were homeless men who had been repeatedly targeted by human traffickers, the charity said.

“The experiences of the men we are supporting are horrifying,” said Patrick Ryan, chief executive of Hestia.

“If we are to successfully tackle modern slavery and give traumatised and brutalised victims the opportunity to recover, we must ensure they have access to safe and secure housing.” – Reuters

London