Modern Slavery

Modern slavery is a crime that is present in every community within the UK. If you are concerned about someone you believe may be a victim of modern slavery, please contact Devon and Cornwall Police.

The Clewer Initiative

The Clewer Initiative is enabling Church of England dioceses and wider Church networks to develop strategies to detect modern slavery in their communities and help provide victim support and care.

How you can get help make a difference

Thousands of men, women and children in the UK are trapped in modern slavery, and by taking the pledge you can make a difference and help make your communities slavery free. The Clewer Initiative has also created a useful resource for churches which shares ideas to go Slavery Free. These include enrolling key individuals on safeguarding training, signposting, running a film night to raise awareness, and more. You can find the resource here.

The Seven Letters to the Church, written by Bishop Alasdair, offers an opportunity for reflection, and a considered response (pledge).

Lent 2023 

The Clewer Initiative have produced a new resource for Lent 2023, called ‘Journeys’.

The lent course is based on the ‘Stations of the Cross’, and it invites churches and individuals on a journey throughout Lent, challenging them to move from the side-lines to action. It can be used in in-person small groups, individual study or online. The five-week course studies themes from the ‘Stations of the Cross’ and includes a reflection, prayer, discussion questions and suggestions for action.

You can find the Journeys lent course here.

Modern Slavery Advisor for the Diocese of Exeter

The Diocese of Exeter has a new modern slavery and anti exploitation advisor. Rev’d Edwina Fennemore recently moved to Devon after spending the last seven years working across Hampshire as Anti-Slavery Lead for the Diocese of Portsmouth and then additionally, Winchester Diocese from 2020. Edwina works nationally alongside the Clewer Initiative, which is the Church of England’s project to combat modern slavery. She also works locally with the Devon and Torbay Anti-Slavery Partnership and will liaise with the Diocese Safeguarding team.The Devon and Torbay Anti- Slavery Partnership is working alongside 17 leading anti-slavery charities who have come together as the Coalition to Stop Slavery. The initiative’s aim is to bring about a major shift in public awareness of modern slavery, and how to report concerns. Email Edwinna

Resources:

• The Clewer Initiative – national work of the Church of England to combat modern slavery
• Coalition to Stop Slavery – A collective of UK based voluntary, community and statutory groups working together to raise awareness of this under-reported issue and influence public behaviour, business practice, government policy and the anti-slavery strategies of frontline organisations such as the NHS.