modern slavery.PNGStaff from safeguarding agencies across Cumbria will receive training to spot the signs of modern slavery.

Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board is delivering ‘Train the Trainer’ sessions to 50 staff across a wide range of statutory and non-statutory organisations, to help identify and support victims of modern slavery.

Trained staff will then disseminate one-hour, bite-size awareness sessions to colleagues to raise awareness and equip more people to spot the signs.  An online e-learning module will be rolled out later this month.

Training takes place during a week where Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board supporting National Adult Safeguarding Week.

Following more than 200 intelligence reports being recorded by the police in Cumbria in the last year, 24 people were given safeguarding protection from crimes of modern slavery, with help offered to a further six people.

Modern slavery is often called a hidden crime and covers a range of criminal and abusive situations, from human trafficking, forced labour or sex work to child sexual exploitation.

In Cumbria, agricultural forced labour is harder to observe due to the rural nature of our county with many farm properties in isolated areas.

Forced labour in car washes and nail bars remains a concern, with regular checks on premises in Cumbria to ensure people are working as a choice and not being forced. 

Checks continue on premises where there is a possibility of sex working or other types of exploitation. A joint agency approach links Cumbria Constabulary working alongside Immigration, Housing, and Safeguarding services and other partners.

Victims include those threatened with violence to work against their will, often for little or no pay and in poor conditions. Offenders will use different methods of control, for example, controlling access to drugs or alcohol from someone with an addiction, or withholding pay or other earnings from people to prevent them from escaping.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden, Cumbria Constabulary, said:

“Modern Slavery is a crime which is potentially happening in plain sight in Cumbria. By learning to recognise the signs and to report any concerns, we can help to support victims and remove them from exploitative situations.

“Cumbria is working together to show perpetrators that modern slavery is not welcome here.  Our partners and charities are working together and training together, creating more awareness of this heinous crime so we can ensure victims are safeguarded and the perpetrators are dealt with.”

Support is available for victims of modern slavery. Once a victim is identified, with their consent, they are submitted into the National Referral Mechanism. If there referral decision comes back positive, then the Salvation Army will step into safeguard them and offer access to relevant legal advice, temporary accommodation, protection from violence or further slavery and independent emotional and practical help.

Modern slavery offences often involve, or take place alongside, other criminal offences such as supplying drugs, grievous bodily harm, assault, rape or child sexual abuse.

 

Further information:

  • Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board (CSAB) are working in collaboration with the National Safeguarding Adults Board Network and Ann Craft Trust to raise awareness of abuse and neglect.  Each day this week will focus on a specific theme when we will provide you with information and signpost to resources for further learning. Members of the CSAB include: Safer Cumbria, Cumbria County Council, Active Cumbria, Cumbria Constabulary, North Cumbria CCG, Morecambe Bay CCG and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
  • CSAB in partnership with Safer Cumbria and Cumbria Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (CSCP) have commissioned multi-agency train-the-trainer sessions to equip staff with the knowledge and skills to disseminate Modern Slavery Awareness training within their own organisations.  This will be through face-to-face bite-size lunchtime learning or via team meetings. 
  • The National Safeguarding Week themes are modern slavery, domestic violence, self-neglect, safeguarding in sport and transforming care.
  • The Ann Craft Trust is a national charity which exists to minimise the risk of abuse of disabled children and adults at risk. The Ann Craft Trust (ACT) exists to minimise the risk of abuse of disabled children and adults at risk. Through pioneering training, practice reviews and contributing to world-leading research, it supports organisations to safeguard disabled children and adults at risk and minimise the risk of harm.