'Tragic' lack of support for victims of modern day slavery puts them at further risk, says Christian group

Campaigners want better and longer protection for victims of modern slavery. CARE

Christian campaign group CARE has welcomed the call from charities asking the Home Office to extend support for victims of modern day slavery beyond 45 days.

The British Red Cross, Hestia and Ashiana said in a joint report that survivors were being put at risk of re-trafficking and further exploitation because of the lack of long-term support. 

The report warns that victims who are foreign nationals from outside the EU are exposed to poverty and left without any help to deal with complex mental health needs because they do not quality for access to the basic support services. 

In addition to medical and mental health services, they cannot access financial assistance or permanent accommodation. 

The report urges the Home Office to increase full support to at least a year. 

The call is backed by CARE, which said that the current Home Office policy was leaving victims vulnerable to further abuse. 

The advocacy group is part of the Free for Good campaign, a coalition of organisations supporting Lord McColl's Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill proposing an extension of guaranteed support to 12 months. 

CARE's Senior Policy Officer for Human Trafficking, Louise Gleich welcomed the report.

"It is tragic that the lack of support for modern slavery survivors mean many face further exploitation and abuse," she said. 

"Providing victims with adequate support is not just the right thing to do for their recovery, it is also essential if we are to bring traffickers to justice and prevent them exploiting others in the future.

"Without protection, support and stability victims cannot give evidence to police and courts meaning traffickers go free and the cycle of exploitation continues." 

She urged the Government to support Lord McColl's Bill, saying that a guaranteed 12 months of support "constitutes proper, long-term help and assistance which we believe would help them move on and live free".

"Today we are calling on the new Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to support the Bill and do all within her power to improve the support currently on offer," she said. 

News
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster

Bishop Richard Moth has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most senior post in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. 

The mystery of the Wise Men
The mystery of the Wise Men

The carol assures us that “We three kings of Orient are…” and tells us they were “following yonder star”. Can we be sure there were three of them? Were they kings? Where in the Orient were they from? What was the star they followed? In fact, there is a lot that we just do not know. This is the story …

English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.