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Earlier this year we read of a man living in the UK who worked at a car wash as a modern day slave. Forced to live in ‘abject squalor' and earning very little, the eventual outcome for this man was death. People are dying because of the horrible situations they are forced to live and work in. And it's happening here, in the UK. New National Crime Agency data shows the number of people reported as potential victims of slavery and human trafficking in the UK has more than doubled in the past three years. This is in part due to growing awareness of these awful crimes, particularly since the Modern Slavery Act was introduced two years ago. We all have a part to play in being the eyes and ears that can help identify and report modern slavery, and the Modern Slavery Act specifically requires public authorities to report any concerns around trafficking or slavery. It is therefore crucial to ensure that those on the frontline – such as police and local authorities – are best equipped with the expertise and resource to take action against criminals and protect potential victims. That's why Shiva Foundation is supporting authorities in Hertfordshire – where I'm also a local councillor – to tackle modern slavery. We recently partnered with David Lloyd, the police and crime commissioner for Hertfordshire and brought together national anti-trafficking experts, local police and statutory organisations for a multi-agency conference, supported by Theresa May, where attendees emphasised their collective commitment to tackling modern slavery. As part of the partnership, a working group was formed and the ongoing collaboration will also involve us creating new referral pathways for victims, to feed into the existing national referral mechanism. Bringing together local groups to share knowledge and expertise in this way is vital, particularly against the backdrop of cuts to local government funding, which mean resources are ever more squeezed. I've been hugely encouraged by instances of local and regional action already underway across the UK to tackle modern slavery, with communities coming together to effectively tackle this issue. The South West Anti-Slavery Partnership, West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network and West Yorkshire Anti-Trafficking Network are all examples of areas taking progressive action. The Hertfordshire partnership, which Shiva Foundation is helping drive forward is part of efforts across the UK to tackle modern slavery, and we intend to share our learning with other areas in the country to support and strengthen the range of ongoing work. This sharing of best practice is crucial to help accelerate the most effective prevention and support methods, and I'm confident the Hertfordshire collaboration will have an important impact on both a local and national level. Each area is different, however, and therefore bespoke solutions need to be created at the local level. To help ensure tailored and specific methods, and as part of Shiva Foundation's commitment to action at a local level, we will soon partner with Human Trafficking Foundation and ECPAT UK to host a London conference to help ensure local authorities in the capital can tackle modern slavery through dedicated resources. Ensuring local-level awareness and having the right practices in place across communities will contribute to an environment where everyone is confident to voice concerns, ultimately helping protect the livelihoods of those who may be at risk and bringing perpetrators to justice. I want to call on everyone to join us in combating modern slavery. Even by taking the step to familiarise yourself with possible indicators of trafficking and forced labour, you can help be part of the vital fight against modern slavery. I would reinforce what David Lloyd, the police and crime commissioner, said at the Hertfordshire conference: ‘If not me, who? If not now, when?' Meenal Sachdev is director of Shiva Foundation

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Collective responsibility and local action can combat modern slavery

By Meenal Sachdev | 11 April 2017

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