Modern Slavery: A Victim's Journey

 

On October 18th 2016 the West Midlands Anti Slavery Network in partnership with Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, OPCC Victims Commission, West Midlands Police & Barnardo's held a one day conference on MODERN SLAVERY - The Victim's Journey. See below for more information from the day.

 

The Victims Journey intended to to provide an insight into the journey of a victim from the point of contact with the trafficker, through to their rescue and aftercare provisions provided by partners within the West Midlands Anti Slavery Network in the West Midlands. It highlighted gaps in provision and how we may all address these by working in partnership, enhancing awareness/training and sharing information.

 

This conference was aimed at all organisations that may encounter victims in their day to day work. This included the National Referral Mechanism and  First Responders including Local Authorities, Fire, Police and Ambulance Services, Safeguarding Boards, NGOs.

 

It was of huge value to Industry and the role they have in terms of working in partnership to eradicate modern slavery and labour exploration in the West Midlands.

 

All the speakers had first hand experience of working with victims and give an insight into their plight and trauma that could not be ignored and inspired us to work together in partnership to eradicate slavery in the West Midlands.

 

A brief outline of the day is below:

 

 

0900 - 0905  Housekeeping

 

0905 – 0920: Setting the scene: West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC)

 

0920 - 0940 Introduction to the Victim’s Journey: Independent Anti Slavery Commissioners Office

 

0940 - 0945  The National Perspective:UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC)

 

0945 – 1005 WMP overview and Problem Profile: WMP

 

1005 – 1025 Taking charge: West Midlands Fire Service

 

1025 – 1035 Panel Q& A’s

 

1035 – 1100 Break

 

1100 – 1125 Opportunities to make an impact to break the cycle of CSE, Child Trafficking and Partnership Working: Panel for the Protection of Trafficked Children (PPTC) Barnardo’s

 

1125 – 1150 Learning the Lessons: Overcoming the Barriers and Challenges -Operation Fort: WMP

 

1150 – 1200 Panel Q& A’s

 

1200- 1300 Lunch

 

1300 – 1315 How DWP can help disrupt criminal gangs and support victims: Fraud Investigator DWP

 

1315 – 1345 A Victim’s Journey: SW Women’s Aide 

 

1345 – 1405 Small Steps changes lives- After care: The Adavu Project

 

1405 – 1420 Employment for victims: Staffline Recruitment agency

 

1420 – 1445 Table top exercise

 

1445 – 1505 Feedback from Tables

 

1505 – 1515 Close West Midlands Anti Slavery Network (WMASN)