in the UK, there are more than 122,000 men, women & children trapped in modern slavery
About the Clewer Initiative
The Clewer Initiative was established as an independent charity in 2024. It has three aims:
to raise awareness of modern slavery and exploitation
to encourage churches and communities to take action against modern slavery
to promote victim identification, care and support.
Based on our belief that the tools to tackle modern slavery lie within communities, we work with local churches to build resilience and support vulnerable groups, developing resources that help raise awareness and produce practical outcomes. We also work at a national and international level through a range of partnerships and collaborations to enable the development of appropriate policies and legal frameworks for businesses and governments.
“Each community has its own potential for noticing social challenges and making the right response. We work closely with parishes, deaneries, dioceses, schools and cathedrals to bring people together and discern how best to respond to the cries of so many of our brothers and sisters.”
Bishop Alastair Redfern
Chair of Trustees of The Clewer Initiative
About modern slavery
The term ‘modern slavery’ encompasses both trafficking—the arranging or facilitating of the travel of another, whether into, out of, or within the UK, with a view to that person being exploited—and the exploitation itself, which can take place both alongside or independently of trafficking.
Modern slavery is a crime. It is present in every single community in the UK.
Victims are forced, coerced or deceived into exploitation, becoming trapped in a situation they cannot escape. Exploiters may be part of a large criminal organisation, a smaller operation or lone offenders. Usually they are highly organised and adept at disguising their activities.
Exploitation can take many forms, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, domestic servitude, and exploitation in criminal activity, such as county lines drug supply, shoplifting, and cannabis cultivation. The vast majority of modern slavery offences are motivated by profit.
How can you identify a victim of modern slavery?
There is no typical victim of modern slavery.
You may have walked past someone being forced to beg and then hand over their takings. You could have been sitting next to a child on a train who's involved in county lines drug trafficking. Or perhaps you've been served in a restaurant, had your nails done or your car washed by someone who has had their passport taken and has to hand over most of their wages to their abuser.
Signs to look out for
It can be incredibly hard to spot modern slavery. Some clues include:
Many exploiters do their best to ensure there are no obvious signs and that their slaves look presentable. Sometimes the clues are in the 'absence of normal'. For example, co-workers who never share personal information, never have any weekend plans or appear to have no life outside work.
Physical appearance - signs of malnutrition, being frightened or withdrawn, having injuries, being unwashed, wearing the same clothes every day.
Few or no personal effects - having few or no personal belongings or documentation, no money, little or no food, little or unsuitable clothing.
Isolation and control - workers rarely on their own and appear under the control or influence of others who speak on their behalf, interpret for them, present their documents or take them to and from work.
Reluctance to seek help - workers avoid eye contact, appear afraid to talk, generally fearful or reject help when offered.
Report it
As with all crimes, it is important to report suspicions of modern slavery to the police. Do not attempt to intervene yourself - you may put yourself and others in danger, including the potential victim.
Non-emergency
If you would like to report any non-emergency suspicious activity in your local area then call your local police on 101, go to your local police station or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emergency
If there is an emergency and you or someone are in immediate danger, call 999.
Church Property
If you are on church property, any safeguarding concerns should be reported to your Parish Safeguarding Officer. There is usually a photo of your Parish Safeguarding Officer in your church building.
Modern Slavery
Helpline
If you need advice or support on a modern slavery issue then you can call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700. It operates 24 hour a day, 365 days a year. You can also seek guidance or ask questions through their website.
“There is an urgent need to raise awareness of modern slavery and equip individuals and communities to know how to spot the signs of slavery and report suspicions. Time and again, law enforcement officers state that the single most useful thing we can do at The Clewer Initiative is to educate the public about the crime.”
Bishop Alastair Redfern
Chair of Trustees of The Clewer Initiative
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