18th October 2016
Anti-Slavery awareness day is today – Tuesday 18 October 2016.
To help raise awareness of Anti-Slavery and action that we can take across the NHS, NHS England is asking all trusts and healthcare professionals to support and take action by raising the profile of Modern Slavery in their organisation.
Modern Slavery is the exploitation of children and adults for use as commodities. It is both illegal and abusive. The Government is committed to ending this practice which can cause serious harm children and adults.
The impact on the health and wellbeing of men, women and children who are the victims of this crime is serious and long lasting. Victims of human trafficking have often been subjected to severe and complex forms of interpersonal trauma that can have an effect on the way that victims interact with medical professionals.
So today, on Anti-Slavery awareness day, NHS England asks you, as healthcare professionals, to identify what you can do in your organisation or practice to address Modern Slavery and how you can sustain this message into the future.
Please read a blog from Hilary Garratt, Director of Nursing and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England who talks about the ongoing work to help raise awareness of modern slavery and how to take action across the NHS.
Do get involved on Twitter by following @NHSEngland, #EndSlavery2016, #AntiSlaveryDay.
There are lots of other resources available to help healthcare professionals understand their responsibilities around modern slavery. Some of the resources below may be helpful:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37622798
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-anti-slavery-commissioner-annual-report-2016
