New year brings new hope for survivors of modern slavery
published on 24 Dec 2020
Today The Salvation Army and its partners begin to deliver specialist support to survivors of modern slavery through a new and extended Government Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC).
Following months of preparation and planning adult survivors of modern slavery referred in England and Wales will now be entitled to receive support at all stages of their recovery.
As with its current specialist support service managed by The Salvation Army since 2011, all survivors will be entitled to a safe place to stay, where needed, and a support worker to help them access the help they require. This could include financial, legal and medical support, counselling and help getting a home when they move on.
The new contract enables people to keep in touch as they leave the main service and move on with their lives. This new Reach-In Service is designed to help keep survivor’s recovery on track should something change which means they might need support or advice. Specialist workers across England and Wales from The Salvation Army and its partners will also help survivors to get local support such as help finding a job, translation services as well as counselling and other therapies.
The Salvation Army will provide a 24 hour, 7 day a week referral line for those individuals who requires immediate accommodation at the point of referral to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). First Responders should contact The Salvation Army on 0800 808 3733 when they identify those in need of this support.
Major Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army said:
“Staff and volunteers have made extraordinary efforts during the challenges of 2020 to keep survivors safe and supported. At the same time many have also been busy preparing for the new extra support we can provide from 2021 through this new contract. I want to thank them all for their hard work and continued commitment to transforming the lives of people who have suffered so much.
“Together we are excited to embark on this latest step with survivors, aiming to rebuild shattered lives and give people the means to move towards independent and brighter futures.”
The new contract runs for an initial five-year period during which time The Salvation Army with its specialist partners will build on expertise developed from helping more than 12,500 adult victims of modern slavery and human trafficking since July 2011.