What is Anti-Slavery Day?
Each year, on 18 October, marks Anti-Slavery Day as part of Anti-Slavery Week, an awareness campaign from 16 – 22 October across the UK and Europe.
In 2010, Parliament passed legislation establishing a national day devoted to raising awareness about eliminating all types of slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation.
Awareness sessions and training
The National Anti-Slavery Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery, and encourage government, local authorities, companies, charities and individuals to do what they can to address the problem.
The York and North Yorkshire Modern Slavery Partnership will raise awareness on Modern Slavery and its impact in North Yorkshire and City of York, whilst also signposting to support available. This is supported by the Safeguarding Adults Boards, Safeguarding Children Partnerships and Community Safety Partnerships.
Two webinars sessions will be available:
- Gender Exploitation 18 October, 9:30am – 11am Rosie Plummer, The Children’s Society
The session will examine the types of exploitation which young people may experience and offer some information on spotting the signs. It will then focus specifically on the gendered assumptions often made about exploitation and offer an insight into the criminal exploitation of girls and the sexual exploitation of boys, as well as touching on the existing lack of knowledge around the exploitation of gender diverse young people.
- The National Referral Mechanism: Webinar for First Responders 19 October, 10:00am, Human Trafficking Foundation.
This session will be delivered by Human Trafficking Foundation and is aimed at First Responders to understand the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) decision-making process and to strengthen the quality of NRM.
York Unitarians
York Unitarians which is an open-minded community centred around shared values of love and justice, are hosting three events across the week of National Anti-Slavery Week:
- Sunday Service to mark Anti-Slavery Week, Sunday 15 October 2023 11am – 12 noon.
- Exhibition on Modern Day Slavery to mark Anti-Slavery Day 2023 on Wednesday 18th October at York Unitarians from 10 am to 3pm and 5pm to 7pm
- Raise Your Voice! A Lunchtime concert of music, songs and poetry on Friday, 20th October 2023 at York Unitarians 12.30pm – 1.30pm to mark the end of Anti-Slavery Week.
Get help
Unseen is a charity that provides UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and work with individuals, communities, business, governments, other charities and statutory agencies to stamp out slavery for good.
If you witness or are subjected to modern slavery or exploitation call the helpline on 08000 121 700 or report it online.
Safe homes for victims
Hope at Home‘s mission is to provide safe homes for survivors of modern slavery through their UK-wide hosting scheme. They are looking for new hosts to be able to provide more nights of safety to survivors. Take a look at what they do: hopeathome.org.uk