Shiva Foundation Presentation
Sian Lea, the Managing Director of the Shiva Foundation joined club members online, to give a presentation on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in Hertfordshire.
Sian made it clear that Modern Slavery is happening and is happening in Hertfordshire. She explained that people use items in their homes or lives that may involve labour of production extracted through force, coercion or threats, or may come across someone that is being controlled by someone else.
‘All incidents of modern slavery include two basic elements (1) the deception or coercion of an individual (2) for the purpose of exploitation.’
Further explanation about the difference between the terms modern slavery or human trafficking, clarified that they are used interchangeably. Commonly, human trafficking must entail some movement or travel, whereas modern slavery does not require this. Generally, modern slavery is used to refer to both.
Stop exploitation in Hertfordshire (stopexploitationherts.org.uk)
Exploitation Types
The most common type of exploitation in the UK is labour exploitation (52% of adult cases and 63% of child cases in 2018). The full list of exploitation types defined by the Modern Slavery Act 2015 are:
- Debt bondage
- Human trafficking
- Forced begging
- Removal /selling of organs
- Forced marriage
- Illegal adoption
- Sexual exploitation
- Labour exploitation
- Criminal exploitation
- Domestic servitude
The last four types are the ones most common in Hertfordshire. There are 33 known gangs in Hertfordshire, subjecting their victims to insults, abuse, threats or violence.
Where in the World
Appallingly, the UK is one of the top 5 nations for countries of origin of adult victims. The other nations in the top five are Albanian, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indian. India has taken over from Romania in the top 5.
Shockingly, the UK also appears in the top 5 nations for countries of origin for child victims. The UK appears alongside Albania, Vietnam, Sudan and Eritrea.
County Lines
County Lines gets their name from the use of phone lines to communicate across counties, for the transportation and sale of drugs. Social media is used to recruit children from rural areas to deal in urban areas. 90% of children recruited are classed as extremely vulnerable. Operation Mantis is Hertfordshire Constabulary’s response to tackling gangs and county lines.
Reporting
Unfortunately, we are all likely to be presented with a potential victim as a member of the public and we have a responsibility to report anything we think is suspicious.
Sian provided details of where to report Modern Slavery in Hertfordshire, using the 24/7 helpline on:
0800 0121 700 or RModernSlavery@herts.pnn.police.uk
If there is an emergency, always call 999.
Apps
There are 3 apps that can be downloaded too:
- Clewer Initiative Safe Car Wash App – use when in a hand car wash to comment on working conditions
- STOP App – use when sharing your story or suspicions, safely and securely
- Unseen App – use as a guide and to report in slavery in confidence