Modern Slavery Funded by
Issue 120 Winter 2015 special
Editorial Slavery. It’s a word that sounds like it should only survive in history books, somewhere between ‘dinosaur’ and ‘bubonic plague’. Slavery was abolished almost 200 years ago – but the National Crime Agency’s Strategic Assessment of the Nature and Scale of Human Trafficking suggests that, not only is slavery still alive, it is positively thriving.Exposure has been working with young people from across Enfield to investigate the topic of modern slavery. Supported by Enfield Residents Priority Fund, our
young people were determined to make sense of this appalling phenomenon and raise awareness of this little-understood issue. Contained within these pages is a collection of their poems, interviews, reflections and findings. We hope they will open your eyes to what all too often goes unseen.
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Exposure is a registered trademark of Exposure Organisation Limited, registered in England no. 03455480, registered charity no. 1073922. The views expressed by young people in Exposure do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or its funders. (c) 2015. All rights reserved. ISSN 1362-8585
Contributors
Renee Kapuku
Angie Jimenez
Hawa Abdaishafa
Tamsin Hodge
Marta Zurek
With help from: Anna-May Carey Jiri Goldman Emilia Amadi Marta Fathalla Aimee Merola Ellen O’Brien Ciara O’Gorman
Norma Molla
Cleo Coogan
Adjoa-Saah Ossei Harriet Tugwood Mohrail Philips Toby Y Amisi Conchita Mbuyambo Saadia Abdisalan Amina Abu Faduma Mohammed
Special thanks to Enfield Residents Priority Fund for providing the grant to make this project possible. Thank you to the students from St Annes Catholic High School, Palmers Green and Nightingale Academy, Edmonton. Thanks also to the models who volunteered for the photography.
Eva Eid
Paulina Kozak Morgan McCormack Emilee Robinson Jamie Robertson Annie Charalambous Maia Hutton-Mackay Indi Hutton-Mackay
HAVE YOU SEEN HER? Renee Kapuku says slavery is alive and closer to home than you may think How would it feel to be trapped? To be removed from the comforts of your home, your family, your friends, and forced to work in a situation where all your freedom has been taken from you? The Slavery Abolition Act was passed almost 200 years ago, yet slavery is a reality still faced by many, particularly young people, in the form of human trafficking. Human trafficking is an exploitative crime involving the illegal movement of people from their homes. This can be for a variety of different purposes, such as sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour and child trafficking. This is an extremely serious crime and is a gross violation of human rights.
Cristina was 16 when she came to England from Romania. She was promised a job as a babysitter. Unfortunately, she was unaware of the dangers that lay ahead. In fact, when she arrived in Birmingham, she was just one of the many girls who had been brought over to provide sinister ‘favours’ to the men that visited a local spa. It was fortunate that the police found her and Cristina was eventually able to testify against the criminals who had exploited her. However, this is only one of the millions of cases of human trafficking that have been uncovered across the world. It is one of the largest and fastest growing criminal businesses, worth an estimated $32 billion annually. It is shocking to think that the average age of entry into the sex trade is 13, with a particular demand for younger people. It is also estimated that there are 35.8 million slaves worldwide, with 26% under the age of 18. The unfortunate reality of human trafficking is that it can sometimes be extremely difficult to detect. There are often stories of young people trafficked from various places around the globe.
However, it is also alarming to discover that victims often come from the UK. They may be trafficked abroad, or are held against their will in another part of the country.
Some victims are unaware that their circumstances may be due to exploitation. In this case, the perpetrator has often built up a relationship with the victim, gaining trust over a
The fluidity of the business and failure to recognise the signs of trafficking contribute to the limited success of prevention. Offenders are often linked to a large international network, making it difficult to pinpoint and convict them. Victims of trafficking live in fear, as their abusers may threaten them with violence, sexual abuse or threats to harm their family.
long period of time, so that the victim does not sense being exploited. So how can we help? Learning more about human trafficking and raising awareness is one way of tackling this problem. Donating to organisations dedicated to fighting human trafficking also contributes. Join in the movement, and help abolish 21st century slavery once and for all.
It is one of the largest and fastest “ growing criminal businesses, worth an estimated $32 billion�
WHAT ARE THE POLICE Hawa Abdaishafa asks what’s being done about slavery There was an estimated 22% increase in the number of potential victims of human trafficking in 2013. Meanwhile, the police estimate that there are currently 10,000 to 13,000 victims of slavery in the UK alone. Chief Inspector Jeremy Capey, a police expert on modern slavery, answered Exposure’s incredulous questions about this devastating phenomenon and what is being done about it. To start with: how are so many people getting away with it? The government knows exactly who enters and leaves the country, doesn’t it? Many victims enter the country on false documents or clandestinely, which enables them to avoid tracking by the authorities. For a couple of centuries slavery has been illegal in the UK, which has resulted in modern day acts of slavery being driven underground. The hidden nature of the crime makes identification of slavery cases very challenging. That explains that one but what about the victims? Why do so few of them seek help? It is extremely common that victims are vulnerable and easily manipulated. The use of threats of violence to the victim or their loved ones, financial or emotional debt bondage, addiction to alcohol or drugs, indoctrinating a fear that the police are corrupt and will not help, control of identification documents such as passports… This results in a reluctance from victims to report their circumstances to the authorities.
Within the UK organised “ crime groups generally target young people”
DOING? So who are these vulnerable victims, typically? Where do they come from? For victims abroad vulnerability can include economic and cultural issues. Within the UK organised crime groups generally target young people without strong family/friends networks and the homeless. What advice do you have on how to stay safe when accepting employment? The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide information on the potential risks for travellers. In relation to employers, care should be taken to check their validity. Some initial warning signs could include the use of debt bondage techniques or retention of identification documents and passports. If in any doubt, don’t travel or take up the employment opportunity and report any suspicions to the authorities. So if we are the lucky ones that know how to stay safe, how can we help those that aren’t so fortunate? If we suspect a case of slavery, is it safe to report it, or are we making ourselves vulnerable to being targeted ourselves? There are various routes for passing information to the police, including via third parties. The National Modern Slavery Helpline and Crimestoppers are both national reporting mechanisms where information can be passed anonymously. But what if the victims themselves don’t want to open up? Can we let the perpetrators get away with it? Absolutely not. If there is a suspicion that any individual is a victim of slavery then the authorities need to recognise the potential safeguarding needs and make concerted efforts to engage with them. We are exploring the potential for victimless prosecutions for clear cases of modern slavery where victims are reluctant to engage. The Modern Slavery Act provides a number of measures to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
It seems we can rest assured that the police are doing all they can. But meanwhile, thousands of unseen people in this country may be suffering in silence. If only there was a quick and easy way to put a stop to it – but for now, the absolute least that we can do is what Jeremy Capey has helped us with today: awareness.
POEMS
Just one Tortured, abused, burnt and bruised. You stop, I look dead, but nothing is said . You turn to leave, you lock the door I lay there feeling like death on the floor.
You say my name with a venomous voice. I must obey, I have no choice. I cower away in the corner of the room. With no source of comfort just myself and a broom.
I’m just one of the many forced into slavery. One of the many who can’t find their bravery. I wash your clothes, I scrub your floor, All these things I’ve done before.
If this is the life I’ve been given. I must have done wrong, can I be forgiven? For this is no life for a woman at all, Nor a man, nor a child, behind this wall.
I hardly eat, I never shower. I feel as if I have no power. I cook, I clean, I mother your child. I am not sane, my brain has gone wild.
Tamsin Hodge
I refuse I’m not one to say I’ve never used words with intentions to offend. But equally I can say I’ve not done the same to defend. Cause I’ve now realised that my silence is deadlier than my violence. Not to speak out means alliance, so the right thing is defiance. I refuse not to fight back, accept it all, be a casualty of their endless battle for control of our society. I know that ignorance is bliss, but haven’t you had enough of this? Their constant lies, a point you’ve missed; their betrayal, a Judas’ kiss. I refuse to be dismissed. I refuse to wish I’d challenged this. They’ll tell us not to kick a fuss up for nothing, but we can see their corruption through the dust under our feet, in front of our eyes, and we won’t be blinded, we can’t be misguided. I refuse to lose the rights we fight for, that we inherit from the ancestors that dedicated their lives to making things right for us, that toiled through their days so that we could sleep in peace at night. This soil is mine as much as yours, and I refuse to step aside. My time is mine, it is not yours, and I refuse to waste it crying quietly. I refuse to be an object, a remote-controlled machine. I object to your obvious intentions to keep me as a pet, to train me for your purposes, to hope I’ll forget my language in your desperate threats, your empty bets, your epithets. Think I’m under your little finger? Believe me, you’ve seen nothing yet. This life I live is mine, not yours. I refuse to let it be over yet.
Norma Molla
PEOPLE NOT PRODUCTS Cleo Coogan, Eva Eid, Angie Jimenez, Marta Zurek, Hawa Abdaishafa & Renee Kapuku reflect on the worldwide modern slavery trade Human trafficking, often referred to as ‘modern slavery’, is a violation of the victims’ human rights. Many people believe slavery ended years ago, with its abolition in the 19th century but according to the International Labour Organisation, around 21 million men, women and children around the world are in some form of slavery. A decade ago 23 Chinese cockle pickers drowned when sweeping tides trapped them, while they worked in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire. They had been smuggled into Britain illegally with the promise of a better way of life, but were treated violently and had their passports destroyed. “If there’s any fitting memorial to the poor people that died it would be to ensure no one else suffers the same fate,” said Jim Sheridan,
To deny people their human rights is to “ challenge their very humanity” Nelson Mandela
Labour MP, of the cockle pickers. Yet, over 10 years on, campaigners say workers are still being dangerously exploited in the UK. Many young people are trafficked today into the UK from abroad. They can also be trafficked from one part of the UK to another. Traffickers may promise young people education, work, or persuade parents that their children have a better future in another place. In actuality, they often face sexual abuse, forced labour and a life of crime. You could be living next door to someone who is being trafficked or kept as a slave.
These three stories are based on true events that happened last year in the UK. Names have been changed.
Maya’s story I saw an ad in my hometown for modelling work in London. No experience necessary. This was my big chance to earn money and send it back to my family. I soon found out that there was no modelling work. They got me high on drugs and made me go with men - so many different men that I lost count after a few days. There was a man. A monster, old enough to be my grandfather. Sex wasn’t enough. He beat me. He raped me. He left me for dead on the riverbank. Alone. Broken.
Yan’s story There isn’t much work where I come from. My brother and I heard of well-paid jobs in another country. So we travelled for days and then we were smuggled across the border. My brother, many others and me were herded into trucks like cattle. We had to sleep in a shed. There were 30 of us. At dawn we’d have to go to fields or factories and work until it was dark. We were on a farm near a main road. I sneaked out and got a lift, far away. I found people who helped me. My brother is still there.
Asif’s story My parents didn’t have much money but they wanted me to get a good education. A man my uncle knew said that he could arrange that. My parents gave him their life savings to give me a better chance. I was taken to a big house and locked in a basement. They beat me every day and forced me to work in the house. Sometimes I get no food. I sleep on the floor like a dog. Every day I pray for someone to help me. Nobody comes. I don’t think I’ll ever see my family again.
If you suspect someone is being exploited, or you yourself are under threat, contact the police. You can also contact the National Modern Slavery Helpline or Crimestoppers anonymously with any information you have:
CRIMESTOPPERS 800 555 111 MODERN SLAVERY HELPINE 0800 0121 700 For other support or advice concerning Modern Slavery and Child Trafficking, please visit:
modernslavery.co.uk www.unseenuk.org
hopeforjustice.org/human-trafficking mtvexit.org/find-help If you need advice before traveling, you can find it here:
gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice LIFT THE LID ON MODERN SLAVERY