St Mary’s Hosts Symposium on Slavery and Human Trafficking

An expert panel including Kevin Hyland, the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, agreed that better co-ordination between the police, education institutions, faith groups and charities is needed to tackle slavery and human trafficking. During a symposium held at St Mary’s University, Twickenham (4^th February) in partnership with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the panel discussed strategies to confront modern slavery including plans for a new Research Centre to be hosted at St Mary’s and launched later this year to increase applied academic study into modern slavery. Carole Murphy, St Mary's Sociology Programme Director, who will be leading the establishment of the Centre, said, “We hope that this symposium has galvanised support for our Research Centre which will be at the forefront of providing empirical evidence to support trafficking survivors’ access to justice. It is clear there is real momentum behind our cause, supported by the combined strength of our partners at the Bishops’ Conference and the Anti-Slavery Commission.” Working in partnership the Bishops’ Conference, the Police and the Church, the Research Centre will formulate a strategy for the next three years focusing on prevention, pastoral care and re-integration. The symposium was opened by Diane Martin CBE, who described her experience of being caught up in a prostitution ring as a teenager and then trafficked abroad where she was held captive for a number of years. She has since spent nearly two decades supporting women to exit prostitution. Kevin Hyland outlined the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commission’s role in combating modern slavery which includes strengthening law enforcement efforts in the UK and internationally, and helping to ensure public authorities identify and support slavery victims effectively. Other panellists, Cecilia Taylor-Camara, Senior Policy Adviser to The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and Bishop Patrick Lynch, member of the Bishops’ Conference Department of International Affairs, described how faith groups can play a vital role in supporting victims of trafficking with a concentrated effort on the worst affected countries including Nigeria and Poland. Francis Campbell, St Mary's Vice-Chancellor, who gave an introductory speech, said, “Slavery is a modern and urgent problem that destroys the lives of thousands every year. This symposium is the first in a series of events to find solutions to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, while raising awareness of the issue to wider groups and potential partners.” St Mary’s was selected to host the Research Centre following the international conference of the Santa Marta Group in December last year. The University will also offer possible employment opportunities and enrolment on university courses to survivors of trafficking and modern slavery to help them rebuild their lives.