Anti-Slavery Day, observed every year on 18 October, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery and encourages individuals, churches, charities, companies, and local authorities to take action.
Recent figures from the National Referral Mechanism show 5,690 potential victims were referred to the Home Office between April to June 2025 in the UK – a 32% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The most common nationalities referred were UK (23%), Eritrean (11%), and Vietnamese (11%).
Becca Faal, Diocesan Strategic Lead for Safeguarding Training and Learning, said: “Modern slavery is happening across all our communities. Churches have a presence in every community, so if we can be trained to recognise, respond, record, and refer to modern slavery as a form of abuse, we are helping to prevent and respond well to people who might be victims.”
Modern slavery is a form of abuse that tends to exploit the vulnerable, including those who are homeless, have substance misuse issues, or children exploited in criminal activity. Signs to look out for include physical injuries, unsafe working conditions, verbal abuse, or patterns of repeated visits by many people to a property.
“Churches can play a role in recognising signs of exploitation through outreach work such as food banks, soup kitchens, and other parish engagement. By offering practical help, listening with care, and connecting people to specialist support, congregations can act as a safe and trusted presence for those at risk,” Becca said.
Training is available for congregations through parish trainers and the Clewer Initiative, covering awareness, identification, and practical responses to modern slavery. Basic awareness and foundation courses can be accessed via the National Safeguarding Team’s online learning portal. After completing these, there is a standalone module focused specifically on modern slavery, including how to prevent it and respond effectively.
Concerns can be reported through the modern slavery helpline or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and the diocesan safeguarding team is also on hand to provide guidance and support. Anyone with concerns is encouraged to contact the safeguarding team promptly.
“Our diocesan vision is that everyone has LIFE and they are able to live it to the full,” Becca said. “Modern slavery prevents people from living fully, and as Christians called to love our neighbour, we can make a practical difference by learning, spotting signs, and responding appropriately.”
→ Resources for church communities from the Clewer Initiative
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