Slavery isn’t confined to the history books. It’s a multi-million-pound criminal industry happening right here. Every day, we pass people on the street who aren’t only homeless – but have been victims of this horrendous crime
The Passage was the first homelessness charity to identify the links between homelessness and modern slavery. We have developed a
pioneering Navigator Service for survivors of modern slavery, and continue to work with government and others to examine the wider
systemic issues that surround this awful crime.
Supporting survivors every step of the way
Dr Júlia Tomás is The Passage’s Human Trafficking Policy and Research Manager, who developed a pioneering approach to help survivors navigate the complex processes of accessing support; bringing key agencies together to join up support for the survivor.
Dr Júlia says modern slavery is both a contributor to – and consequence of – homelessness. “If a person is sleeping rough, they will be more vulnerable to grooming, to exploitation, to abuse. And when survivors escape their traffickers, they often have no ID, they are destitute, and will sleep rough.”
Those engaged in this crime use vulnerability when targeting potential victims.
“Dreams are the bait. They’ll say, ‘I have a job for you, you’ll have a roof over your head and cash in hand. I’ll sort out your working visa. I’ll take care of you.’”
Dr. Júlia has developed a groundbreaking Multi Agency Case Conference (MACC) model
This brings key agencies (local authorities, adult safeguarding, and housing departments) together to work on a joined-up action plan for the survivor. Then shared across key agencies, it avoids the need for the survivor to endure the trauma of repeating their story.
In the meantime, The Passage Modern Slavery Navigator provides the survivor with vital support, such as emergency accommodation, food, toiletries, a new phone number, and care for their mental health and well-being. They will liaise with the relevant government support and help them to navigate what can be a complex system, especially when the person is suffering from trauma.
The MACC model has now been adopted by many other local authorities in England, and The Passage has also developed an easy-access online toolkit and protocol for those working in the homelessness sector to use. Given this is, by nature a global issue that requires a global solution, The Passage is now working with other international cities in relation to the links between homelessness and modern slavery, to identify systemic solutions to address this issue.
Whilst there is still so much work to do, Dr. Júlia is proud of what we have achieved so far: “We give survivors hope and remind them what it is to have choice. I am proud The Passage created a service that has supported 200 survivors of modern slavery who would have been totally invisible otherwise.”