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Members of the diocesan Social Action Commission took part in a number of Anti-Slavery Day events held in Chichester in October, with a special service of Evensong at Chichester Cathedral attended by representatives from our Diocese and the Anglican Diocese of Chichester, culminating in the commissioning of four new Modern Slavery Ambassadors from the Catholic, Anglican and Quaker communities in Sussex and Surrey, as part of the Together in Sussex scheme to combat modern slavery.

There are many forms of “Modern Slavery” including the illegal trafficking and sale of people, and where they are owned, controlled or exploited for work. No one really knows how many people are trafficked and enslaved in this country, but, more than 200 years after the abolition of slavery in the United Kingdom, the World Health Organisation estimates the number at 136,000, with an estimated 40 million people trapped in modern slavery across the world - 1 in 4 of whom are believed to be children.

Pope Francis has been heavily involved in raising awareness of Modern Slavery through his charity The Santa Marta Group, and regularly highlights the plight of victims and survivors. Locally, Modern Slavery Ambassadors play a vital role in raising awareness of the crime across the Diocese, offering an important point of contact and further information to people across our church communities.

After the service, a series of presentations was given at Chichester Assembly Rooms. On behalf of Anti-Slavery International, Bishop Alastair Redfern highlighted the importance of considering one key question when assessing whether someone might be a victim of trafficking or slavery: “Can they walk away?” Addressing those assembled he said:

If you think a person can’t walk away from their work or living situation, they may be caught up in modern slavery or exploitation.”

Speakers from Sussex Police and West Sussex County Council also contributed to the evening, with representatives of both organisations referencing the scale of the problem: in 2023 there were 600 referrals to the National Referral Mechanism in West Sussex alone, including children of primary school age.  

Speaking shortly before the Commissioning Service, four new and existing diocesan ambassadors talked about their work, including Sr Helen Ryan, from the Church of Our Lady and St Francis, Midhurst, and the congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. Sr Helen has supported vulnerable adults and children for many years, including those who have been trafficked. She said:

“Since becoming involved with modern day slavery, I have become increasing aware of numbers of young people both female and male, who are trapped in poverty in our own locality. For people of all ages, especially the poor and vulnerable, life is very difficult with many seduced into forced labour.”

Mary Barrett from the Parish of the Nativity of the Lord, Redhill, Reigate and Merstham added:

“Modern Slavery affects so many parts of our society - not just car washes and nail bars, but the care industry, construction, farming, and children being used to traffic drugs. Most of the people exploited are from the UK, with victims requiring support for many years afterwards.”

Mark Potter, from St Dunstan’s, Woking was one of the first Ambassadors to be commissioned and became involved following a diocesan Justice & Peace meeting about Modern Slavery. Reflecting on the range of criminal activity connected to Modern Slavery, he said:

“I feel especially saddened by young people caught up in the sale of illegal drugs as part of ‘County Lines’, who may always feel or be at risk - even if they are set free.”

Modern slavery is a terrible but highly lucrative crime with members of our diocesan Modern Slavery team keen to highlight the importance of people across our faith community "spotting the signs" and “keeping their eyes and ears open, trusting their instincts and reporting any suspicions, without putting themselves at risk.” Sr Helen added:

“Those of us who are committed to eradicating modern slavery are privileged to be able to make the prayer of St Teresa of Avila their own:

"Christ has no body but yours,
no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
yours are the eyes, you are His body.

"Christ has no body now but yours,
no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on the world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

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You can find out more about fighting slavery – including who to contact about an incident or concern – on the diocesan website: www.abdiocese.org.uk/formation/combatting-modern-slavery.