Survivors of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery supported by Medaille Trust have been meeting with Bishop Paul McAleenan, Chair of Caritas Westminster and Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees.
Bishop Paul spoke with survivors about the difficulties they face to be recognised and rebuild their lives in the UK. There are more than 120,000 estimated victims living in the UK today; last year, a record 19,125 potential victims were identified and entered into the official National Referral Mechanism.
For many survivors, identification is only the start of a long process, with major challenges including finding access to safe and secure employment, safe housing, access to high-quality healthcare to address trauma, and integration into society.
Medaille Trust, one of the leading Catholic charities in the fight against Modern Slavery, supports more than 500 survivors a year across a network of safehouses and community projects. Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, Medaille works to promote survivors’ dignity and empowerment, and supports them with taking the first steps towards a new life.
Justice and human dignity have been central themes of the Jubilee Year, and Catholics are encouraged to engage in their local communities to provide support and welcome for those who have been exploited or marginalised.
Reflecting on the visit, Bishop Paul said:
‘I am grateful to the Medaille Trust for the invitation to meet with survivors of human trafficking. Witnessing the care and compassion shown in providing not only safety and practical support, but also a sense of community, was deeply heartening.’
‘It was evident that the resilience of survivors is a powerful reminder that hope cannot be silenced.’
He added:
I was pleased to hear that the Home Office has recently made some encouraging improvements in the way it processes applications. This is a welcome change. Yet it also reminds us that the evils of human trafficking and modern slavery, sadly, remain present today in many forms. We must stay vigilant, continue to broaden our knowledge to ensure that efforts to combat the issue do not cease.
Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading providers of modern slavery survivor support services and one of the largest Catholic charities in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. We work to support more than 500 survivors a year through safe house and outreach projects in addition to awareness raising in the UK, prevention work in Albania, and pursuit work that helps survivors to engage with police and the justice system to secure convictions against their abusers.
Images: Medaille Trust
