Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Staffordshire Police are holding the first ever conference in Staffordshire to highlight the hidden threat of modern slavery today, Thursday, December 10.
Modern slavery can take many forms including the trafficking of people, forced labour, servitude and slavery. Victims can be men, women and children but it is most common amongst the vulnerable, and within minority or socially excluded groups. Approximately two-thirds of victims are women, and a third are men. Every fourth victim of modern slavery is a child.
There were 1,746 people at risk of trafficking identified in the UK in 2013. This represents a 47% increase on 2012 referrals. Slavery’s hidden nature means actual numbers are likely to be much higher.
Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said: “Victims, no matter what they are the victims of, are at the centre of our thinking and work we are doing.
“Modern slavery is an abhorrent crime which is often hidden in plain sight. It’s happening across the UK and it’s happening in Staffordshire, although we do not know the scale, big or small, of it here. It’s important that we understand that fact as soon as possible and work is going on to make sure that happens.
“It’s extraordinary that in 2015 we are still talking about something that also happened hundreds of years ago. This is a modern outrage.”
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold, who is spearheading the response to modern slavery in Staffordshire, said: “It is estimated that 29.8 million people around the world are currently affected by modern day slavery and it is an issue which we all need to face.
“Today’s conference will highlight the risks of slavery, people trafficking and forced labour to local businesses and professionals as well as explaining the signs to look out for.”
Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police Jane Sawyers added:
“We are constantly learning more about modern slavery and it’s clear that there are people in Staffordshire being abused and exploited. However, we receive only a handful of reports each year.
“This event will help us all to be more aware of this crime which goes on often unseen and certainly misunderstood. We all have a duty to tackle exploitation in any form so we can provide the support for the victims and bring offenders to justice.”
The half-day conference at Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford is aimed at professionals and local businesses. It is expected to feature speakers including Paul Broadbent, Chief Executive of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority; Helen Gordos from the UK Human Trafficking Centre and Sarah Wilson, an author and survivor of the Rotherham child abuse scandal.
The event will also include a message from Karen Bradley MP, Modern Slavery Minister.
Supporting victims and witnesses is one of four key priorities in the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis’ Safer, Fairer United Communities strategy for more local and effective policing in the county.
The new Staffordshire Victim Gateway was launched at the start of September to put the needs of victims and witnesses at the heart of the criminal justice system. Information is available at
www.staffsvictimsgateway.org.uk or by ringing 0330 0881 339.
