Army in UK adapts to assist victims of modern slavery
Army in UK adapts to assist victims of modern slavery
A screengrab of The Salvation Army video promoting its work in the area of human trafficking.
The United Kingdom Government has announced immediate changes for people in the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract, which was first awarded to The Salvation Army in 2011 and continues today.
Effective immediately, individuals supported through the contract will be allowed to stay in safe government-funded accommodation for the next three months, as the government steps up measures to protect the vulnerable from coronavirus.
The director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army, Kathy Betteridge, said: “The Salvation Army is working closely with our partners and the Home Office to quickly adapt our existing operations so that victims of modern slavery continue to have the best care possible, to keep them safe and help them continue their recovery despite the challenges we face in the light of coronavirus.
“We are already making available new safe houses on a regular basis. We have plans to ensure we continue to have the capacity to accommodate new victims needing support, which will contribute to the additional capacity now required following the government’s decision to restrict clients moving on from our network of safe houses.”
Individuals, through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), are now able to access support, including accommodation, for at least 45 days if found to be potential victims.
“The NRM will continue to take referrals of potential modern slavery victims and those referred will be provided with the support they require, including accommodation,” said Victoria Atkins, Minister for Safeguarding.
“The government also continues to work with The Salvation Army, the primary provider of support, on reviewing processes and policy to maintain the services they provide to modern slavery victims during this time.”
The Home Office has announced this change to ensure the safety of vulnerable victims in line with official advice.
“The advice is clear that we all need to stay at home to save lives and protect the National Health Service,” Victoria said. “The safety of modern slavery victims and the frontline staff supporting them remains a top priority.”
To learn more about The Salvation Army’s work with victims of modern slavery, watch the video below.
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