Working in Communities
The power to end modern slavery already exists within local communities, we just need to harness it.
Why does working in communities matter?
There are many reasons why modern slavery is able to thrive and grow within communities. The presence of modern slavery is not a reflection on the community itself, it can live anywhere - from busy urban neighbourhoods to sleepy villages; prosperous commuter towns, busy tourist centres, disadvantaged areas, city centres, quiet rural areas...
One of the biggest reasons for its presence is its ability to go unseen and undisturbed. That's why working at a community level and building community resilience is vital. By understanding modern slavery in a community context we can expose it, make sure it's seen and find safe ways of disrupting it.
The ultimate goal for our communities is to create an environment where modern slavery cannot thrive.
Building Community Resilience
The Clewer Initiative is founded on a community resilience approach - based on the belief that slavery can only be eliminated at a community level where relationships are strong and where individuals are looking out for their neighbours' welfare.
Too often communities only discover what they care about after a tragedy or crisis. But, building community resilience is not about responding to a crisis; it is about creating a way of living that will prevent crises occurring or reduce their impact. It relies on a common ownership of the issues that threaten and the use of local resources to address them.
What does it look like in action?
There are three main pillars in using community resilience to tackle modern slavery:
- strengthening modern slavery awareness across the whole community
- developing pathways for victim identification and support
- slavery proofing businesses and community projects.
A common understanding of how modern slavery can be present in specific situations enables individuals to be protected and prevents them from falling into modern slavery by supporting them when they are at their most vulnerable.
Who is vulnerable and how do we protect them?
There are three key groups who are particularly at risk of exploitation and modern slavery:
- Children and young people - often vulnerable because of circumstances surrounding their growing up.
- Adults - those who are homeless, have insufficient regular income and who have no status to be in the UK are just some of the groups at risk.
- Vulnerable adults - such as adults with learning difficulties, who, as well as other types of modern slavery, may also be exploited through cuckooing.
To ensure these vulnerable people are protected they need wraparound support from statutory organisations and from their community. They also need to be empowered by being aware of their rights and knowing what to do and who to turn to if confronted with an exploitative situation.
Projects and provision such as foodbanks, youth services, toddler groups, debt support, drug and alcohol clinics, after school homework clubs, mental health support and holiday clubs can all provide preventative interventions and help bring fragmented communities together.
Exploiters prey on and target the marginalised and excluded, so a strong community, where vulnerable people are supported, offers less opportunity for exploitation.
The role of the church
Churches run thousands of social action projects based in their churches and halls. They are at the front line of caring for the vulnerable and are therefore ideally placed to reach out, educate and engage communities in building resilience and supporting those who are vulnerable.
