Greater Manchester partners mark Anti-Slavery Week with events to help you spot the signs of Modern Slavery

Partners across Greater Manchester will be co-hosting free events across the region during Anti-Slavery Week (14-20 October), to raise awareness of Modern Slavery and help people spot the signs to prevent more victims being exploited.

The events will be hosted by Greater Manchester Police, Programme Challenger – a Greater Manchester consortium of partner agencies that tackle individuals and networks committing serious and organised crime in the region - and Causeway, a leading modern slavery and crime reduction charity.

The dedicated Modern Slavery Team in GMP’s Programme Challenger is urging people to spot the signs of exploitation, with Anti-Slavery Week providing opportunities to talk openly about human trafficking and modern slavery, and encourages businesses, friends, family and colleagues to do what they can to prevent human trafficking and protect victims in future.

On Anti-Slavery Day (18 October), members of the public are invited to a public forum, where Kate Green, Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor, will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss how they are tackling Modern Slavery in Greater Manchester.

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: "We must dispel the myth that modern slavery and human trafficking happens somewhere else. Sadly, it is happening here in Greater Manchester. 

 "But through Programme Challenger, our partnership with GMP and a broad range of partners from across the public, private and voluntary sectors to tackle serious and organised crime, we are making a real difference. By bringing together our city-region's services and partners we have been better able to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

“But this is not just about organisations. We all have a part to play in spotting the signs of modern slavery. If something doesn't feel right, take action and report it. And I ask businesses specifically, please consider your supply chains and whether there may be a risk that modern slavery is happening where you access goods and services.

 "If we all play our part, we can identify and support victims and continue to help make Greater Manchester a safer place for everyone."

Detective Superintendent Joseph Harrop, Head of Serious and Organised Crime, Challenger Programme, said: “Between 2023-2024, we identified 511 people as being victims of Modern Slavery in Greater Manchester. In 2023 there were 60 charges for modern slavery, while so far in 2024 there have been 27 charges for modern slavery.

“Modern slavery is happening in Greater Manchester right now, but we need your help to spot the signs across our neighbourhoods and workplaces.”

A spokesperson for Causeway said: “At Causeway, we are committed to supporting survivors of Modern Slavery on their journey to recovery, providing the resources and care to assist them in rebuilding their lives. As we approach Anti-Slavery Week, it’s important to remember that our fight against modern slavery should be a continuous commitment. This week presents an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our actions and consider what more we can do to tackle modern slavery.

We are proud to work with so many incredible organisations across Greater Manchester, and to empower the voices of survivors to share their lived-experience to prevent further harm to others. We encourage the public to visit Central Library to see a photography exhibition co-produced by individuals with lived experience of Modern Slavery to show how they have found safety and community in Manchester.”

In a recent case in Greater Manchester, a woman was verbally and physically abused, forced into a life of crime and sexually exploited. She was trapped by her exploiters and live in constant fear before she sought help from the authorities.

In the UK, Justice and Care helps modern slavery survivors through its Victim Navigator Programme.

Navigators are deployed into the heart of many UK police forces and are often there from the moment a potential modern slavery victim is identified. They help survivors to rebuild their lives by providing specialist support, including with food, housing, healthcare, access to counselling, finding jobs and helping them fight for compensation.

The Navigator Programme operates on one main principle: in order to ensure traffickers are brought to justice, it is critical to prioritise survivor care. Navigators also support survivors to engage with the criminal justice process and assist the police with specialist knowledge during investigations. Their support also leads to better recovery; more than 80% of survivors supported by Navigators last year demonstrated improved recovery and reintegration outcomes.

 Anti-Slavery Week events

 14 – 19 October

Photography Exhibition

Manchester Central Library (First Floor), St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD

This is Our Home: A Lens into Liberation, in collaboration with The Leica Store Manchester and Causeway. Five survivors living in Greater Manchester have produced compelling photography that captures their journeys to safety and freedom in Greater Manchester following their exploitation. Each piece is accompanied by the participants' personal reflections, offering an intimate glimpse into their experiences.

Friday 18 October

Public Forum

3pm – 5pm: HOME Manchester, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN

Tackling Modern Slavery and Exploitation in Greater Manchester: An introduction with local experts.

Visit Tackling Modern Slavery and Exploitation in Greater Manchester: An introduction with local experts Tickets, Fri 18 Oct 2024 at 15:00 | Eventbrite to reserve your place.

Saturday 19 October

Freedom Bus Tour

• Bolton, Victoria Square – 9:30-11:30am
• Manchester, St Peters Square – 12:30-2:30pm

This is a public facing event to raise awareness about Modern Slavery, spotting the signs and reporting it.

Causeway coordinates the Greater Manchester Anti-Slavery NGO Forum, bringing together incredible charities and statutory services who are committed to making a difference in this area. We welcome the public to get involved in our events and learn about the realities of modern slavery, how to identify and report it. This increased awareness can lead to greater identification, and it could be the lifeline of someone escaping exploitation.

To report Modern Slavery, call 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700. You can also make a report using Live Chat or online reporting at gmp.police.uk.