Elmore’s research on modern slavery welcomed by The Co-op
The UK’s Co-operative Group has campaigned to tackle modern slave trade by supporting survivors, raising awareness among its four million members, and providing jobs for known victims. On behalf of The Co-op, its Campaigns and Public Affairs Director Paul Gerrard has welcomed Elmore’s report into modern slavery:
There’s a human cost to putting profits ahead of people, and modern slavery is one of the most glaring and outrageous examples of that cost. Lives are ruined and futures are lost through the exploitation of people’s labour. That’s why the Co-op Group has campaigned against modern slavery and, as a business founded on ethical responsibility, tackles this blight on global commerce.
The Co-op Group welcomes this ground-breaking research by Elmore Community Services into the extent and nature of modern slavery in Oxford. It finds that there is a considerably higher number of cases of modern slavery in the city between April 2016 and January 2020 than previously recorded by law enforcement.
This research is built upon a strong evidence base including the perspectives of 290 people, drawn upon through the use of a case-based methodology and quantitative data from 42 teams of service providers across key local organisations. By collecting information in this way, it is clear that the fight against modern slavery requires the very best partnership of local service providers and law enforcement agencies to identify and support victims, but also put in place disruption strategies.
The Co-op’s Campaigns and Public Affairs Director Paul Gerrard announcing the launch of the Bright Futures programme to provide jobs to known victims of modern slavery.
The Co-op Group has worked closely with service providers to support modern slavery victims and values the insights which can be brought forward from frontline support. As a charity supporting marginalised and disenfranchised people in Oxfordshire, particularly those with multiple and complex needs, Elmore works with victims of modern slavery. It has developed and delivered an Independent Trauma Advisory (ITA) Service which has supported 50 victims and been positively evaluated. Indeed, it is estimated that for every pound spent on the service, £2.88 would be saved from the public purse.
The Co-op was founded on the need to address social injustice, which is why it’s important to us to take a clear active stand against this terrible crime. As well as working with our supply chains to eliminate modern slavery, we’re supporting victims of modern slavery to rebuild their lives. Since 2016 we have shown the value of a close partnership with the third sector by partnering with charities and other business to create the Bright Future Co-operative offering victims of modern slavery a pathway back to paid employment and the dignity it brings.
Like Elmore, the Co-op Group is working to raise awareness of the issue. If everyone knows how to spot the signs, we’ll have a better chance of preventing it. Like Elmore, the Co-op Group has been campaigning to the government to improve the support available to modern slavery victims and believe there should be legal requirements to provide 12 months of support to victims to rebuild their lives.
Ensuring victims can receive the right support is not just the right thing to do for their recovery, it is important to bring traffickers to justice and stop them exploiting others in the future. Without protection, support and stability victims cannot give help to end the cycle of exploitation. With this new research by Elmore, and the spreading of its recommendations and insights locally, the fight against modern slavery has taken a big step forward.