Justa del Sol, from ACCION SOCIAL CONFER, Spain (the Spanish Conference of Religious) sends us news of the recent meeting of the Inter-Church Group against Trafficking in Persons, which took place on the 4 April 2017 at the CONFER head offices in Madrid.
Present were representatives of the main Religious institutes and Church organisations involved in the work against trafficking in persons in Spain and carers of victims, namely; the Adorers, Caritas, Cruz Blanca Foundation, Dominicans of the Presentation, the Episcopal Conference, Justice and Peace Society, Mary Ward (Ireland), the Oblates, Villa Teresita and lay experts on issues of human trafficking and exploitation. They shared their experiences and best practices, as well as the challenges they encounter in their ministry.  One of the most challenging realities is the fact that human trafficking continues to be ‘invisible’’ to the wider society and therefore continues to thrive. 
Of particular value was the opportunity to share practical ideas which encourage the work of other congregations and NGO’s in the fight against human trafficking. In the spirit of Easter and hope, the meeting concluded with a positive outlook towards the collaborative efforts of all those present, in the fight against trafficking and exploitation.
For more; http://www.confer.es/noticias/reunion-del-grupo-intereclesial-contra-la-trata
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

In the context of an unprecedented influx of migrants and refugees into Europe and the ensuing increased incidences of trafficking and exploitation, RENATE arranged training with a specific focus on Migrants and Trafficking, attended by twenty-nine of its members.
It was a full week, situated within the broader, expansive world-view proposed by Laudato Si, which acted as a unifying thread running through the entire week. 
A wide range of experienced practitioners from the Netherlands shared their wisdom and knowledge relevant to the topic. The following are some of the themes covered:

• understanding the distinctions between ‘Trafficking,’ ‘Smuggling,’ ‘Fraud’ and ‘Grey areas,’ and the complexities therein;
• the influence of the media and how it might be harnessed positively as means of awareness-raising;
• the practicalities of offering shelter and support in the Netherlands, to victims and survivors;
• Forgiveness as a means of healing;
• the Right to Protect;
• the complexities of considerations underpinning the Safe Return/Voluntary Return programme;
• the impacts of EU legislation and international legal frameworks on humanitarian actors who are often deterred from providing assistance as a result of the consequences of such legislation and frameworks;
• experiential learning at the SPEK Centre in The Hague, where representatives from the Dutch Council for Refugees presented on the ecumenical projects for refugees and undocumented people at the centre.

This report is a reference document for the week’s training on the theme of Migrants and Trafficking and is best seen in the context of the various speaker’s papers and PowerPoints, shared at the training.
Report available at: Report on RENATE Training ”Migration and Trafficking, 19-25 March 2017′
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

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Thirty RENATE members gathered at the Soeterbeeck Conference Centre, a former convent which has been sympathetically revived as a modern and beautiful meeting space. RENATE Board member, Ivonne van de Kar, welcomed everyone and presented an introductory contextual overview of the Netherlands in relation to working in human trafficking prevention, exploitation and supports to migrants.
During the week-long training, a wide selection of topics were presented, all of which centred on the principle theme of Migration and Trafficking. An understanding of Laudato Si and its message about understanding humanity within the wider context of care for the earth, set the tone for the week. Topics such as ‘’Special Care for Migrant Victims of Human Trafficking;’’ ‘’The Right to Protect’’ and ‘’Safe Futures and Voluntary Return’’ were explored in depth. Especially poignant and perhaps challenging, was the topic of ‘’Forgiveness’’ and its importance to healing and restoration.
Throughout the week, sharing and discussions contributed towards building deeper understandings and strengthening the network.
Full Report will be available shortly.
Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.    

 
The Conference Centre Soeterbeeck, Ravenstein, will be the venue for the RENATE Training on Migration and Trafficking, which runs from Sunday 19 March to Saturday 25 March, 2017.

As usual, there will be an emphasis on understanding the local country’s situation in relation to Human Trafficking and Migration, and this will be the subject of Ivonne’s presentation, with particular reference to the Netherlands.   
Amongst the topics to be explored during the week, are ‘’Safe Future: Methodologies on Voluntary Return of Victims of Human Trafficking,’’ ‘’Safe return of undocumented migrants,’’ ‘’Labour exploitation of Migrants’’ and “The right to Protect.’’
Mill Bijnen will share her experiences as coordinator of a local shelter offering special care for migrant victims of Human Trafficking and Franck Ploum will guide us in Theological Reflections, preceding an exploration of ‘’The Right to Protect.’’
Participants will gain first-hand experience of the ecumenical project for refugees and undocumented people, when making the planned visit to STEK (Stad en Kerk).
A variety of training formats will be employed, including lectures, presentations, groupwork, the use of film and audio-visual aids. Sharing of best practice and opportunities to network, will be central to the training, which will conclude with panel discussions where representatives from ECPAT, Fier, Terre des Hommes and Porticus will speak to the theme of the week.
Check Facebook and Twitter for daily updates!
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
 

Recent estimates from the European Statistics Agency show that 65% of victims of trafficking registered in the EU, are themselves EU citizens.  Concerns are beginning to be raised about the reinstatement of Immigration controls between the UK and Europe, and their likely impact on the identification, mobility and protection of people trafficked into the UK.
Research conducted by Katerina Hadjimatheou, Research Fellow Interdisciplinary Ethics Research Group, University of Warwick and Jennifer Lynch, Early Career Research Fellow, University of Hertfordshire, indicate that migration enforcement controls and increasingly tough border patrols are such that identification of victims is marginalised.
‘Officers looking to exclude as many illegal migrants as possible can end up focusing too much on the credibility of the travellers’ stories and not enough on their vulnerability. The consequences of the misidentification of victims of trafficking as illegal migrants can be detention, deportation and re-trafficking.’’
In anticipation of changes to Immigration and Border controls once Brexit is activated, the research calls for a broader and more evidence-based understanding of the drivers of human trafficking into the UK than heretofore.
Full article at:
http://theconversation.com/how-brexit-border-debate-could-affect-human-trafficking-into-uk-73547
Additional Research data available at:
https://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/sites/antitrafficking/files/eurostat_report_on_trafficking_in_human_beings_-_2015_edition.pdf
http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/national-referral-mechanism-statistics/676-national-referral-mechanism-statistics-end-of-year-summary-2015/file
 Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Focusing on Prevention, UNCHOSEN UK is bringing together experts in the anti-slavery, homeless, refugee and child-care sectors, frontline workers and academics to look at innovative ways to approach the prevention of slavery.
Amongst the speakers are: Melissa Blackburn, CEO UNCHOSEN and Julia Tomas will be speaking about the development of the new Stay Safe from Slavery project, a new pilot project focusing on the prevention of slavery in vulnerable groups in the South West of England.
Dr. Alison Gardner, Nottingham University, leads ‘slavery-free communities’, a University of Nottingham research project that aims to understand how we can create healthy and prosperous places which are resistant to modern slavery.
Darryl Dixon, director of strategy for the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, soon to become the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), with a wider remit in labour market enforcement. 
For information and to register, please see:
info@unchosen.org.uk
www.unchosen.org.uk
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications person.