Impossible is a Dare

by Cooley, Ben;

  The Police and Crime Commissioner agreed, and because of this partnership not only were we able to continue rescuing victims in conjunction with the police, we were also able to train 3,800 frontline agency workers, including police officers, NGOs, social services and others. As we identified some of the gaps in protection, we were given permission to work on effective strategies to plug those gaps. Two years later that region saw a 190% increase in the numbers of victims of slavery being identified and had the highest number of identified victims in the country. Emma’s Hub had taken all of our passion and provided it with a structure. A structure that was working.

  There were many reasons Emma’s Hub had such an impact then, and still does today. One of the central reasons was that we were not working alone. Emma’s Hub provides an open and collaborative structure in which many organizations and individuals are empowered to play their part. The end of slavery cannot become a reality through the efforts of Hope for Justice alone nor will it come from those of any other single charity or agency. Emma’s Hub taught me just how powerful effective partnerships can be. Great strategies are important, but if the systems and people implementing that strategy cannot work together or, worse still, cannot be trusted, the strategy is destined to fail.

  Aid strategy is important, but arguably not as important as structural reform. How do we bring rule of law? How do we combat corruption? How do we encourage a just society? How do we see fairness and equality become reality? How do we make sure the law enforcement officers in Uganda are protecting the widow whose land has just been taken from her? How do we ensure that when a girl in India is raped, the police are not a part of the problem but rather a part of the solution?

  In the Western world corruption may not be as prevalent as in the developing world, but human trafficking is a crime that calls for us to adapt our policies, our strategies and our practices in order to combat it effectively. I don’t think that Western governments are knowingly complicit in the crime of modern-day slavery, but I could name businesses that are perceived to be ethical and are highly recognizable but have victims in their supply chains. It may not come as a surprise to you, but many of the clothes we buy, the furniture we have in our homes and the foods we eat on a daily basis use slavery at some point in their supply chains. The desire to change individual lives is still very much at the heart of our movement. But to end slavery one person at a time, we cannot be blind to the need for structural transformation to see that vision become a reality. And if there is anything we did right in this season, it was not just to rescue victims, to equip other agencies to identify victims and to assist in prosecutions, but more than that it was to look at the core systemic problems and seek to address them. And that is what we did.

  It’s also important that we give credit where it’s due and recognize the significant role government has played in supporting the fight against modern-day slavery. Particular honour must go to Theresa May, the former Home Secretary of the UK who then became Prime Minister. Through her work on the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the legislation in the UK is as strong as it has ever been on human trafficking and provides a robust framework for the rescue and restoration of victims and the prosecution of traffickers.

  The region in which we based Emma’s Hub became the area with the highest number of identified victims of human trafficking in the country. There has been a monumental change in how victims are being identified.

  Emma’s Hub gave us a framework and model that could be replicated in other environments. It also showed us that this was not just a momentary change, it was a sustainable change. There are two key components: sustainability and replicability. That’s how we will see real change not just within the lives of individuals but throughout businesses, governments and ultimately society.

  Another side to the story

  Philippa roberts, solicitor and legal director, hope for justice

  I have always had a passion for justice. Indeed, my decision to train as a lawyer was fuelled by my desire to use the skills and knowledge I would acquire to fight injustice.

  I first learned about Hope for Justice when I was working for International Justice Mission in India. I met Ben after being asked to be on the steering group for the first event run by Hope for Justice, The Stand. As part of that group, I was exposed to the work of Hope for Justice and became really inspired by Ben and an organization with such an ambitious vision. Some time after The Stand, I met up with Ben in a coffee shop and discussed how we were going to change the world! That’s where it all started; I began doing some volunteer work at Hope for Justice and then became a full-time member of staff a couple of years later.

  Although Hope for Justice operates on a global scale, the advances made in policy and legislation in the UK over the past few years are important to note. This is because they can operate as a reference point for other countries in the global effort to combat modern slavery.

  Wider European legislation has largely provided the framework for the law on modern slavery in the UK. The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and, subsequently, European Directive 2011/36/EU set out obligations regarding what governments and states should be doing to prevent human trafficking, prosecute perpetrators and protect victims. In the UK, the State is required to create a system for identifying victims, define criminal offences and provide support for victims. It was in response to the European framework that the UK developed the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which provides a system for identifying victims and ensuring that they receive holistic support to meet their basic needs for safety and stability. Such support includes securing safe accommodation, help in accessing mental health services, assistance finding employment and support in understanding their legal rights.

  Soon after Theresa May became Home Secretary, she grew very passionate about the issue of modern-day slavery and created the impetus for significant change in the UK’s approach to the problem. With this new focus, Parliament passed the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which consolidated the criminal offences associated with trafficking and slavery into one piece of legislation, and aimed to increase prosecution rates, make the UK a hostile environment for traffickers and give guidance on how victims are identified and protected. The Act’s significance is far-reaching: not only was it the first major piece of domestic legislation on slavery for well over a hundred years but it also helped to raise awareness of modern-day slavery as a contemporary issue in the UK among politicians and the public.

  Five or six years ago, the general consensus on the phenomenon of modern slavery was that it was exclusive to the Global South – something that no longer occurred in the West. There is now an increased realization, however, that slavery is a problem on our doorsteps. The Modern Slavery Act is not perfect but it is the start of what is needed. We are seeing more of the estimated 13,000 victims identified in the UK; we’re observing greater collaborative work between police forces and statutory and non-statutory agencies – efforts that are absolutely vital for effectively combating modern slavery. Furthermore, consolidating the legislation has placed the UK at the forefront of international responses to slavery. The Act includes revolutionary steps – such as the creation of an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the introduction of specific measures to tackle slavery in supply chains.

  Yet just as important as increasing prosecutions and creating more hostile environments for traffickers is the need to ensure that, when identified, victims receive support to recover from their experiences – to help them not only survive but thrive in life. In addition, support helps to prevent victims from being exploited or trafficked again. The everyday work of Hope for Justice’s advocacy team reveals that many mainstream services, such as those for housing and welfare, fail to meet adequately the specific and often complex needs of modern slavery victims. Without staunch and sustained advocacy, the victims are too often left vulnerable and, in some cases, destitute. Invariably, a lack of support has an impact on the ability of th
ose rescued to make informed choices, such as whether to cooperate with a police investigation and/or pursue civil compensation.

  The link between the support and legal aspects is essential. Many victims do want to cooperate with criminal investigations – not simply for their own sakes but also to ensure that others are not subjected to similar experiences. When victims receive the support they need, they are in a much better position to give the best evidence in court. Those who have been trafficked and enslaved need to feel safe, supported and protected when they come forward to cooperate with criminal investigations; making sure they feel secure as witnesses strengthens the likelihood of successful prosecutions. Even if victims choose not to work with the police, their information is crucial to intelligence gathering on wider criminal networks and how best to disrupt them. It can also lead to the rescue of other people.

  Like many other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Hope for Justice is active on the ground. As experienced practitioners in this field, we have developed extensive knowledge that enables us to work with governments and other relevant agencies for the benefit of all those caught up in trafficking and slavery. Working together, we not only facilitate the rescue and restoration of individual victims and fight for justice across the globe but we also contribute to the goal of ending modern-day slavery for good.

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  Chapter eight

  Zoe’s story

  The week before Christmas we received an extremely worrying report about a young Eastern European woman, Zoe, a suspected victim of human trafficking. She was being forced to work as a prostitute on the south coast of England. The information we received was so detailed we knew we had a window of opportunity, but only if we acted fast. Over the next few hours, we checked our facts and became increasingly concerned. It was clear that she was part of a trafficking ring run by a number of incredibly dangerous criminals.

  Zoe’s life wasn’t in danger, but she was being controlled. When we did investigate, Zoe gave us the indication that she didn’t want the police involved; she would bolt and run if the police approached her at all. Zoe had come from an area in Eastern Europe that had a long history of poverty and mistrust of authority, and she had wanted to escape to a better life. She was incredibly vulnerable. That’s where the exploitation comes in.

  I’m often asked how people end up being trafficked. It’s always because they are vulnerable in some way, whether it’s to do with economic reasons, mental health issues or lack of education. There are also several vulnerable population groups. Look at the Roma community, for example, one of the most exploited peoples in the world. They are vulnerable often because they are isolated. Zoe herself was incredibly isolated, with a mistrust of law enforcement. We often meet victims who don’t want to engage with any form of authority, and are more likely to trust people who come from a charity or the well-meaning public.

  So we met Zoe and started building a rapport. In that time we were trying to create an environment in which she felt safe and secure enough, and trusted us enough, that she would be able to leave the exploitation and move into aftercare. In the weeks it took to do this, she was moved. We were devastated. We believed she was sold on. Our team spent weeks trying to find her and eventually they did, by tracking down her picture on a website advertising her services. The profile was different, with a different name, but we knew it was her. The team made arrangements to meet her, but she wasn’t expecting to see us. The moment she recognized one of our team, she was completely gripped by fear. She didn’t know if we were good or bad, if we were responsible for her being sold again, but she had no-one else to trust, so she decided to trust us.

  Petrified, she got in the car. One of our team described to me how disturbed Zoe was. She was frantic. When we arrived in the aftercare facility, Zoe started to see that this might actually be genuine, that we were telling the truth. She turned to our team member and said: ‘It’s real isn’t it? Tonight I’m not gonna get exploited? I’m not gonna get abused?’ He turned to her and said, ‘Yeah, it’s real Zoe.’ Just then Zoe burst into floods of tears.

  He said to her: ‘You know what, Zoe? You’re a princess. You’re a daughter of the King.’ Zoe was sobbing and sobbing and he heard her whisper: ‘I’m a princess. I’m a princess.’ Not long after that Zoe gave us some intelligence that led to a police raid, and other people were identified as victims of modern slavery.

  Slavery is about the grading of human beings; it stems from the mentality that there are people and races who are worth less than others. And when people are trafficked they start believing this lie about themselves, that they are worth less, that they are worthless. One man we helped described the moment when he stood in front of two people haggling over his price; his trafficker was asking for £300 and the other guy insisted that he wasn’t worth that much. Every human being wants to be valued and cherished, and if we can make that breakthrough and convince someone of it, it’s a powerful moment.

  Zoe’s challenge

  What we had built was working. Emma’s Hub was doing what we intended it to do. We were seeing rescues. But we knew we needed to do more. Our supporters and Abolition Groups (formerly Act for Justice Groups) had seen the impact we were making in the North East, but they wanted to see the same changes in their own regions. The desire for action was growing.

  I’ll never forget the moment when we were ready to announce the launch of our second hub during our annual Hope Conference. The growing demand for hubs saw the level of anticipation soar higher and higher among our supporters as they stood wondering whether this next one might be in their area. It was incredibly humbling to witness an excitement so huge, to see such passion among our supporters for the work we were doing. I remember standing there on this platform. I was just about to announce the location of ‘Zoe’s Hub’. I could see people leaning in expectantly. I remember seeing one particular group who started holding hands in anticipation of what I was about to say: it was in their region that we’d decided to open Zoe’s Hub.

  I’ll never forget the delight on their faces. We launched Zoe’s Hub in response to a demand, because this movement had momentum. Announcing this expansion made it clear to everyone in the room that the fight against modern-day slavery was now in full motion. It was a wonderful moment. But the big difference between this moment and the launch of Emma’s Hub was that we now knew the cost. Zoe’s Hub was a leap for us financially. We knew the risk, but the risk of not doing it was far greater, so we needed funding. As the groups around the room celebrated, they knew that the money would need to be found somewhere, somehow. But we already had a plan, one we were about to share.

  In the weeks preceding telling people about the new hub, I had one of my friends round at my house. Tom was an actor in a UK-based television soap opera. He had played the same role for ten years and built a pretty high profile. We were discussing how we would raise the money for the new hub. We knew it would cost a lot of money: £263,500 to be precise. Racking our brains for ideas, Tom suggested we do a run. ‘That’s a stupid idea!’ I thought, ‘I mean, who likes to run?’ Well, in reality, there are a lot of people who like to run, but I’m not one of them. Stupid idea, Tom. Vetoed. Next! We spoke about other types of challenge. My leaning was heavily towards eating challenges, but apparently people don’t give much money to that! Finally we came up with the answer. We’d do a cycle ride. I’d ridden a bicycle before, so I thought: ‘Yeah, I can cycle. How hard can it be?’ But we didn’t want to do any old cycle route. We wanted it to mean something. We wanted it to have a story.

  We had recently rescued Zoe. She had been trafficked from Latvia to Southampton. And so having decided we were going to do a bike ride to fund Zoe’s Hub, we thought what better route than to follow her journey? This part, at least, we agreed was a great idea. I phoned my mate Gareth to tell him. He was quieter than usual, almost stunned in disbelief. And he wasn’t the only one. With the vision of our journey crystallizing in my head, I started telling more and more peo
ple: ‘We’re going to do it, we’re going to cycle from Latvia to Southampton.’

  Now let me just take a moment at this point to offer a word of advice. If you’re ever planning on doing any long-distance journey or challenge, I would strongly recommend utilizing the power of online maps before you tell everyone what you’re going to be doing. The reason is that at this point in our fundraising plan, without looking at online maps and without any expertise to inform me otherwise, I thought Latvia was next to France! Sadly (for me!), this was not the case. In fact Latvia is nowhere near France; it actually shares a border with Russia which, it turns out, is quite far away: 2,715 kilometres far away to be specific. And we were talking about 2,715 kilometres in 19 days – longer than the Tour de France – to be even more painfully specific.

  But it was too late. After we’d decided on cycling along the route of Zoe’s journey, we flew over to Latvia to do a recce. We wanted to see how feasible it was. Sensible, right? But sitting on the plane, we saw a first-hand reminder of why we were thinking of doing this. Right behind us was a young girl, sandwiched between two big guys. She had no luggage with her whatsoever. When we got to the airport terminal she was bundled into the back of a car and driven off. We didn’t know for sure that she was being trafficked, but it seemed likely; it reminded us why we were about to take on something epic to try and combat this crime. With this image fresh in my mind, we began to film a promotional trailer for the challenge. ‘We’re going to do a bike ride from Latvia to Southampton in two weeks.’ The words spilled out of my mouth. Tom looked on in surprise. After we’d finished filming he said: ‘You do realize you’ve just told everybody we’re going to cycle this in two weeks? And it’s two thousand miles?!’ Just like with The Stand, it seemed we had jumped in two feet first and then had to think logistically about how we were going to pull this thing off, broadcasting what our vision was and then figuring out how to make it a reality.