From Slavery to Freedom - forum to combat modern slavery
published on 9 May 2024
The Salvation Army and the Wilberforce Institute at the University of Hull launched their inaugural Modern Slavery Spring Forum in London last week.
Resulting from a new partnership announced in April between the two organisations, the forum brought together policy-makers, researchers, survivors and people working to bring justice through combatting the crime or practical support to survivors.
The Forum was held at The Salvation Army’s Regent Hall church and aimed to find new understanding, collaboration and response to human trafficking and exploitation in the UK and across the globe.
Eleanor Lyons, the UK's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, set the tone in her keynote speech by outlining some critical current challenges. These included the gap between reality and public understanding and awareness of modern slavery and the alarming political shift to conflate slavery with illegal migration.
Just under 200 people attended the two-day event which covered survivor inclusion, trauma-informed practice, migration policy as well as impacts on and practical responses for survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Despite the hostile climate facing survivors of modern slavery right now, I’m confident that we already have what we need to shift the balance.
Major Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army, said:
“Our Spring Forum has been a tremendous source of further inspiration and encouragement for me. Despite the hostile climate facing survivors of modern slavery right now, I’m confident that we already have what we need to shift the balance. With survivors engaged and empowered to be the driving force, combined with the strength of partnership and determination within the sector, we can all build a brighter future together.
Andrew Smith, Manager, University of Hull Justice Hub, said:
"Through the award-winning Humber Modern Slavery Partnership, the University of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute is already instrumental in coordinating and bringing together statutory and non-statutory services to tackle modern slavery response in the Humber region.
In partnership with The Salvation Army, we are now applying these skills and expertise to bring together national partners. The aim is to connect academics, policymakers, and practitioners, learn from others working in the field, and continue developing best practices in modern slavery responses.”
