Bishop Robert will be joining with the Gloucestershire Anti-Slavery Partnership (GASP) at an event on Friday 18 October, 5pm to 7pm to share more about modern slavery and human trafficking in Gloucestershire.
It’s in the The Civic Suite, North Warehouse in Gloucester Docks (GL1 2EP)
Survivors of slavery and exploitation will join representatives from the police, from the Church of England’s Clewer Initiative and Unseen a leading anti-slavery charity which runs the Modern Slavery Helpline.
According to the Global Slavery Index, in 2016, at any given time, an estimated 40.3 million people worldwide were in modern slavery, including 136,000 in the UK. However, last year only 6993 potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking were identified in the UK, including 61 in Gloucestershire.
People often find it difficult to believe that slavery could be happening in our area and among people that we see every day, but PC Gary Brewer, Intelligence Development Officer at Gloucestershire Constabulary said, “Wherever we looked for slavery and exploitation, we found it, within this county.”
The Church of England’s Clewer Initiative is enabling the Church of England dioceses and wider Church networks to develop strategies to spot modern slavery in their communities and to help provide victim support and care. Their Safe Car Wash App, launched in 2018 asks users a series of questions to help spot signs of slavery.
Bishop Robert said, “We’re keen to empower all in our churches and communities with the tools they need to spot the signs of modern slavery in rural and urban communities. We have developed a programme of safeguarding training which is helping to give people an awareness of the issues and to act as ‘eyes and ears’ in the campaign against exploitation. As advocates for human flourishing, we are working towards a world where slavery and exploitation are no longer tolerated and all are able to thrive.”
All churches are encouraged to hold a Freedom Sunday to help end slavery. If you spot the signs of modern slavery, call the helpline on 0800 0121 700.
Come along and learn more to help you be part of the solution. Tickets to the event are free but limited so get yours here.
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