Indian ex-slaves unite to inform unaware survivors about coronavirus
Chennai, IndiaThomson Reuters Foundation Slavery survivors in India are using WhatsApp groups to raise awareness about coronavirus among their peers in villages where many former bonded labourers are unaware of the pandemic. Survivor networks across several states are messaging their members with voice notes and videos about handwashing, social distancing, and the implications of India’s […]
Crowdfunding campaign helps Indian slavery survivors rebuild lives
Chennai, IndiaThomson Reuters Foundation Indian trafficking survivors are using crowdfunding to help cover their legal costs, pay for public awareness campaigns and enable them to become more self-reliant. In a rare move, the India Leaders Forum Against Trafficking, an umbrella organisation of 11 survivor groups from across the country, raised more than 500,000 Indian rupees […]
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney announces confidential advocacy service for victims of modern slavery
Sydney, Australia The Sydney Archdiocese of Australia’s Catholic Church has unveiled a new “one stop” advocacy hub for victims of modern slavery. Anthony Fisher, the Archbishop of Sydney, says the new service “enables entities or workers to have a safe, confidential conversation about situations of modern slavery and forced labour”. “It fills a gap in […]
Scapegoats to supply chains: Five aims for the anti-slavery fight in 2020
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation With a decade for the world to meet a United Nations target of ending modern slavery, experts say anti-slavery efforts must be guided by survivors, supported by law enforcement and kept at the top of the global activism agenda. About 40 million people globally are estimated to be enslaved – in […]
Supporters scramble as US anti-trafficking funds are postponed
New York City, US Thomson Reuters Foundation The US Government has postponed an anticipated $US13.5 million grant to provide emergency shelter and housing for trafficking survivors, leaving their supporters scrambling for scarce funds for victim services. The money was approved two years ago but abruptly suspended in recent days without explanation, officials and supporters said […]
Brazil to build network of social workers to support slavery victims
Rio de Janeiro, BrazilThomson Reuters Foundation Brazil is aiming to build a network of social workers nationwide to support people rescued from modern slavery, and help prevent would-be victims from being trafficked, a top prosecutor said. The social workers would be primed to offer immediate post-rescue care to victims, and provide follow-up assistance such as […]
SLAVERY: FREEDOM, MONEY, BABIES – IN INDIA, RESCUED WOMEN COUNT THEIR LOSSES
ANURADHA NAGARAJ and ROLI SRIVASTAVA, of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, report from India…
Britain’s HSBC to help modern slaves “rebuild lives” with bank access
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation British retail bank HSBC UK launched a scheme on Monday to help victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in Britain “rebuild their lives” by giving them access to bank accounts. The bank, part of the London-listed global finance group , said it had been working with law enforcement and charities to […]
Indian slavery survivor wins top payout after two-year court battle
Mumbai, IndiaThomson Reuters Foundation An Indian woman who spent three years working 16 hour days cleaning toilets without pay has won the country’s highest possible compensation under a scheme introduced in 2016 to help modern slavery victims rebuild their lives. Rehana Begum had spent two years battling for compensation in India’s courts since she quit, […]
Satellites to survivors: five goals for the anti-slavery fight in 2019
Thomson Reuters Foundation With global efforts mounting to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, activists say the world must sharpen its focus in 2019 to meet a United Nations goal of ending the ills by 2030. About 40 million people are estimated to be enslaved, mostly women and girls in forced labour and forced marriages, […]