On 18 October, as part of Anti-Slavery Day 2023, the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, attended the launch of The Salvation Army Modern Slavery Annual Report, at Westminster Hall.
This is the twelfth year that the Government has contracted The Salvation Army to deliver support under a contract to provide specialist support for adult victims of modern slavery referred from England and Wales. The latest Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract came into effect in January 2021.
The 2023 report identified that a total of 3,533 potential victims entered the service to receive support. This was 465 more people and a 5% increase on the previous year.
A further summary outlined that:
- 3533 people entered the service, a 5% increase on the previous year. All in all, 10,704 people received support during the year under the contract.
- The number of people referred having been primarily exploited in forced labour has increased by 12%.
- This year survivors from 107 different nationalities entered support.
The Bishop of Bristol expressed her gratitude for the report and spoke on the need for critical action on the issue:
"I commend The Salvation Army's unwavering commitment to supporting survivors of modern slavery, and was honoured to be present at the launch of the recent report. The increasing number of people trapped in modern slavery in communities across the UK is both a stark reminder of the persistent challenges we face in our own community and a testament to the vital role played by dedicated organisations.
“The 5% rise in individuals seeking assistance reflects the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. As this battle against exploitation continues, we must remember to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defending the rights of those who have less than ourselves. Only through this will solace, restoration, and hope be restored to those who have endured the horrors of modern slavery.
“Parishes in Bristol and Swindon have, with the support of The Clewer Initiative, become increasingly aware of those hiding in plain sight who are victims of modern slavery and I am proud of them, and of the work of Unseen and Beloved based in Bristol.”
Major Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army said: “This has been a challenging year where the number of vulnerable people referred to us in need of protection and support has continued to grow. The cost-of-living crisis has also placed added pressures on many of the services we rely on to meet survivors’ needs. At the same time changes have come into force or been made law which will significantly risk the landscape of protections currently afforded to some survivors of modern slavery.
“Against this backdrop of uncertainty and additional demands, our teams have been unstinting in their efforts to keep survivors safe and direct them to the support and safeguards they need and are entitled to, as they begin to recover and build resilience for the future.”
The Salvation Army have created downloadable resources to help you find ways to support their mission and learn to spot the signs of modern slavery.