On 5th March 2025, the Policy Evidence Centre (PEC) hosted a significant conference on modern slavery, marking the 10th anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act (March 24, 2015). The event, attended by leading experts, policymakers, and survivors, aimed to reflect on progress, address ongoing challenges, and propose future strategies to combat modern slavery. Among the attendees was Sr. Imelda Poole (IBVM), who represented RENATE and highlighted the organization’s commitment to fighting human trafficking and exploitation.

Conference Objectives
The primary focus of the conference was to foster collaboration and generate new momentum in the fight against modern slavery. Despite legislative advancements, the crime has quadrupled over the past decade, with a staggering 44% increase in child trafficking. Yet, prosecutions remain disappointingly low, raising concerns that current approaches are failing. The UK government has also made substantial cuts to foreign aid and is pushing to withdraw from European human rights laws, despite its commitment to international human rights and anti-slavery efforts.

Key Discussions

• Policy and Legislative Challenges
  The Modern Slavery Act, now a decade old, is widely regarded as outdated and in need of urgent revision. Survivors often find themselves unprotected by the law, particularly when they are migrants. There is an urgent need for a victim-centered human rights approach. Industry accountability remains weak, with businesses often escaping scrutiny under the toothless Clause 54 of the Act. The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner emphasized the need for a strategic vision to drive policy reforms and ensure measurable, enforceable implementation.
• The Role of Survivors in Policy and Advocacy
  Jane Hasonder, Chair of Hope for Justice and a survivor herself, emphasized the necessity of survivor dignity and employment in anti-slavery initiatives. Survivors must be seen as more than just ‘walking stories on legs’—they should be remunerated and given positions where they can shape policy and strategy. The conference also explored structured career pathways for survivors, advocating for systemic change rather than temporary advisory roles. Ethical survivor engagement must prioritize trust, safety, empowerment, and systemic justice.
• Business Responsibility and Supply Chains
  Businesses must take an active role in preventing forced labor and modern slavery in supply chains.
  EU legislation on supply chain responsibility has been delayed, with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act serving only as a reporting requirement rather than an enforcement mechanism.
  There is a pressing need for stronger due diligence requirements and greater transparency.
• Government Action and Future Steps
  Jess Philips, representing the UK Home Office, acknowledged past leadership in anti-slavery efforts but stressed the need for modernized, concrete reforms. The government’s proposed Modern Slavery Reform Plan will focus on:
  Strengthening prevention measures, particularly in corporate supply chains.
  Reducing the backlog of victims awaiting care and reforming the identification process.
  Enhancing victim support, with tailored care for children and adults.
  Improving criminal justice outcomes by increasing prosecutions and holding perpetrators accountable.
• The Survivor Panel: Lived Experience in Policy Making
  The panel featured survivors who have become advocates and professionals working against modern slavery. Key takeaways included: Survivors should not be commodified for their stories but instead empowered to contribute meaningfully to systemic change. Trauma-informed training must be a priority in survivor engagement. Long-term structural and career opportunities must be developed to support survivors beyond advisory roles.
  
  
  Final Remarks and Call to Action
  Eleanor Lyons, the current Anti-Slavery Commissioner, stressed the importance of reclaiming leadership in the fight against modern slavery. She called for a cross-departmental strategy informed by survivors, with law enforcement and the commercial sector taking an active role.
  To move forward effectively, the UK must:
  Establish a Survivor Advisory Council.
  Develop and implement a cross-government strategy.
  Work closely with research institutions like the Rights Lab at Nottingham University.
  Focus on prevention, prosecution, and protection as core pillars.
  
  
  Read more here.
  
  The conference underscored the urgent need for reform, survivor inclusion, and stronger legal mechanisms to combat modern slavery. Sr. Imelda Poole’s presence reaffirmed RENATE’s dedication to advocating for these critical changes and ensuring that the voices of survivors are central to policy development. Moving forward, a collaborative, survivor-informed, and enforceable approach will be essential in making meaningful progress against modern slavery.

Following our participation this evening at CSW69, RENATE is proud to officially launch our Shelters and Safe Houses Booklet, a comprehensive resource highlighting the vital work being carried out across our network. This booklet provides an in-depth look at the nine active shelters and safe houses that are part of the RENATE network, offering a glimpse into the transformative and life-saving support being provided to those in need.

This launch follows the in-person unveiling at the 2024 RENATE Working Board Meeting in Athens, Greece, where members gathered online and in-person to discuss and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our shelters and safe houses. Now, we are delighted to share this invaluable resource with our wider network and beyond.

Through these pages, you will witness the dedication, resilience, and compassion that define RENATE’s mission in providing safe spaces for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. Each shelter and safe house plays a crucial role in offering protection, healing, and empowerment, helping individuals reclaim their dignity and rebuild their lives.

We warmly invite you to explore the booklet, share it widely, and help us amplify the impact of this work. If you feel moved by the stories and efforts detailed within, we encourage you to make a donation—100% of which will go directly to supporting the RENATE shelters and safe houses. More details on how to contribute can be found at the end of the booklet.

We are thrilled to launch this initiative and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thank you for your continued support in our collective mission to bring hope and safety to those who need it most.

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, approximately 200,000 more Ukrainians are expected to migrate abroad this year. Last year, this figure was 500,000. The same report predicts that in 2026, 200,000 migrants will begin returning to Ukraine, with half a million expected to return in 2027.

However, social surveys indicate a growing number of Ukrainian migrants intend to remain abroad even after the war. As a result, a large-scale and rapid return of Ukrainian migrants is not anticipated.

Ongoing migration from Ukraine is primarily driven by high security risks, constant shelling, destruction, and a decline in living conditions. Over the past three years of full-scale war, there has also been a significant outflow of 17-year-old boys seeking safety abroad.

The Risks Facing Young Ukrainian Boys Abroad

Due to martial law, Ukrainian men over the age of 18 are prohibited from leaving the country. As a result, many parents are sending their underage sons abroad before they reach adulthood. Parents of 15- and 16-year-old boys are increasingly searching for schools, colleges, or universities in other countries, with Poland and Slovakia being the most common choices. If the boys speak German, Austria and Germany are also popular destinations due to better living conditions and strong social protection systems.

However, these young boys face significant risks as they find themselves alone in foreign countries, often without parental supervision. Parents may not always be able to check if their child is attending school, what kind of environment they are in, or what influences they are exposed to.

For university students, dormitories provide housing. Younger students typically live in rented accommodations, sometimes with relatives. In response to this growing trend, travel agencies now offer services to help minors relocate. In many cases, a mother accompanies her son abroad before returning to Ukraine, leaving him to navigate life alone.

Reports from Caritas organizations in Romania and the Czech Republic, which assist Ukrainian refugees, confirm a rise in unaccompanied boys aged 16-17 arriving in groups. After obtaining temporary protection status, many of these boys disappear. Their whereabouts and activities remain unknown. Some may have been promised jobs, particularly in the Czech Republic, where education is no longer mandatory at 16. Without knowledge of the local language or legal system, these young migrants are highly vulnerable to exploitation. A deeper investigation into this issue is urgently needed.

A Growing Trend: Young Girls Following Boys Abroad

It is likely that young Ukrainian girls will also begin following their male peers abroad. Many young people feel uncertain about their future, even after the war ends. There is no guarantee of stability or economic opportunity, leading to a broader trend of youth migration. This situation presents significant challenges for Ukraine’s future.

The Situation with Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children

At the start of the full-scale invasion, all orphanages in Ukraine were evacuated. More than 4,000 Ukrainian orphans were relocated to EU countries, but only half have been returned to Ukraine. Meanwhile, many children remain in Russian-occupied territories, with a large number forcibly deported to Russia. Repatriating these children remains extremely difficult.

Countries such as Italy and Switzerland, where child safety is prioritized over international agreements, have refused to return children to Ukraine while active hostilities continue. They have taken responsibility for the children currently on their territory.

In Switzerland, there was an incident in which Ukrainian state guardians mistreated evacuated orphans, leading authorities to remove the children from their care.

Caritas Poland is currently assisting 35 orphans evacuated from Ukraine, providing them with social and psychological support, as well as Polish language and integration courses. However, there is a growing need to improve communication and offer additional support to the guardians of these orphans.

Author

Iryna Maievska
Head of the Safe Migration and Counter-Trafficking Program
Caritas Ukraine

Caritas Ukraine

This update is provided by Natalia Holynska, RENATE Working Board Member for Ukraine.

This morning, 23 RENATE representatives, including Co-President’s Ivonne van de Kar (Netherlands) and Sr. Marie Power (UK) gathered together to begin our Annual Working Board Meeting. Opening with prayer organised by our House of Prayer Task Group, the attention and intention of our Meeting Group has been set for a deeply positive and transformative week ahead for RENATE.

(L-R, Dr. Mary McHugh (Facilitator), along with RENATE Co-President’s Sr Marie Power (HFB, and Ivonne van de Kar (Netherlands), open and welcome RENATE Members and guest speakers to Athens.

Our panelists take the floor to start this morning’s discussion!.

Date: March 20, 2025
Time: 17:30 – 19:30 (GMT)

As part of the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), RENATE will present key insights into human trafficking and exploitation, shedding light on critical issues and innovative responses across Europe. We invite all RENATE members, friends and colleagues to join us as we present on the following aspects of our work:

Key Highlights

• Film as a Means of Communication
  The session will feature screenings of three short films that explore the realities of human trafficking in Albania, Ireland & the UK, and Ukraine. These films serve as powerful tools for raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of the issue.
• Legal Insights
  RENATE will share findings from its research on the urgent need for specialized training on human trafficking for legal professionals. Addressing gaps in legal expertise is essential for ensuring justice and protection for survivors.
• Shelters & Survivor Empowerment
  The event will mark the launch of RENATE’s latest publication on shelter provision and support services across its member countries. This initiative aims to strengthen survivor support systems and advocate for best practices in care and rehabilitation.

This session will provide a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing, advocacy, and collaboration in the fight against human trafficking.

To register, click here.

Join us in advancing justice, protection, and empowerment for survivors worldwide.

On St. Bakhita Day, Friday, February 8th, the outreach team in Prague carried out a regular visit to local nightclubs, reaching out to those in need of comfort and hope. That evening, two establishments were visited, and gifts were distributed—beautifully crafted bags featuring original handmade angel decorations, along with a Bible verse. As always, informational leaflets with essential contact details and support resources were also provided.

At the first club, the visit was brief, with conversations taking place with the women, followed by a short prayer. However, in the second venue, an opportunity arose to organize a meaningful communal prayer. Holding hands, prayers were offered for families, personal struggles, and above all, for healing and deliverance from anything that may be binding them. The women expressed deep gratitude for this moment of connection and faith. The outreach team also left feeling thankful, recognizing the blessing of having an uninterrupted space to share this prayer.

Strengthening Prevention Efforts.

As part of ongoing prevention programs, Sr. Klara Marie was honored to be invited to give a four-hour lecture to foster families in late January as part of their training course (Cestou Necestou; Training Program).

The importance of speaking directly to parents of children from vulnerable social backgrounds, as well as to girls from diagnostic institutions, remains vital. These young individuals are among those most at risk of exploitation and human trafficking. Raising awareness and providing education in these settings is crucial in preventing future harm and ensuring these children and young women receive the protection and support they need.

On this St. Bakhita Day, trust is placed in her intercession, with prayers that all those in need—women and girls alike—may live lives of dignity, free from fear and oppression.

With prayers and gratitude,
Sr. Klara Marie

On February 6th, members of various religious congregations gathered in Brussels to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita and the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. The event, held at the Chapel of St. Gertrude in Etterbeek, was a powerful gathering of solidarity and prayer for the victims of human trafficking, migration, and climate displacement.

Religious communities such as the Sisters of the Assumption, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Good Shepherd, Hospital Sisters of Sacred Heart, Spiritans, and Missionaries of Africa were joined by women and men from the local Christian community. Together, they participated in a Vigil titled “Ambassadors of Hope: Together Against Human Trafficking,” walking in solidarity across continents, remembering those affected by these grave issues.

The vigil was filled with prayers, reflections, and testimonies from different continents, providing a space for both personal and collective prayer. The refrain, inspired by Isaiah 65:17 and Revelation 21:1, echoed through the chapel: “New heavens and a new earth are coming, which your goodness will give us! New heavens and a new earth are coming, where your justice will dwell.”

We invoked St. Josephine Bakhita, a saint who endured enslavement and was later liberated, asking for her intercession in breaking the chains of those trafficked today. Her prayer was recited, and the event concluded with the powerful song “Oh Freedom,” symbolizing the shared commitment to fight for freedom and justice.

Before leaving, each participant received a small footprint as a symbol of their personal commitment to addressing human trafficking, climate injustice, and forced migration. The event not only provided a space for prayer but also an opportunity for networking and encouraging future actions. Conversations continued afterward as new contacts were made and ideas for further initiatives were shared.

Sr. Francoise Coppieters, Sr. Bénédicte Goorissen, and Fr. Andreas Göpfert, members of the preparation team, reflected on the success of the event and the fruitful collaboration that inspired everyone involved. Looking ahead, they are already planning next year’s event, which will take place during the day to ensure that religious sisters and brothers of all ages, especially during the winter months, can participate.

We look forward to continuing the work of raising awareness and standing in solidarity against human trafficking in Brussels and beyond.

Andreas Göpfert, member of RENATE

As part of the liturgical commemoration of St. Bakhita and the International Day of Awareness and Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking, RENATE’s membership partners, CARITAS Slovakia, participated in a series of meaningful activities to honor her legacy and advocate against human trafficking.
On this special occasion, a Holy Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Martin in Bratislava. At the conclusion of the Mass, attendees received a blessing with the relic of St. Bakhita, a moment of profound spiritual significance.

Additionally, a prayer segment was broadcast on Radio Lumen, allowing a wider audience to join in prayer and reflection. From January 31st to February 7th, a Novena to St. Bakhita was aired daily on the same station, fostering a deepened devotion and raising awareness of the ongoing issue of human trafficking.
In their continued efforts to educate and engage communities, CARITAS Slovakia also distributed a specially designed calendar throughout January. This calendar served as both a tribute to St. Bakhita and a tool for increasing awareness about human trafficking, encouraging individuals to remain vigilant and proactive in combating this global issue.

Through these initiatives, CARITAS Slovakia strives to honor the spirit of St. Bakhita, support victims of trafficking, and work towards a world free from exploitation and injustice. Congratulations to all involved!

APT Ireland has initiated a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at reaching victims of human trafficking (HT) through key public spaces. Recognizing that over 80% of trafficking victims will seek medical attention from a healthcare professional within their first year of exploitation, APT Ireland is prioritizing the distribution of awareness posters in healthcare settings across the country.

This campaign is an ongoing effort to ensure that vital information reaches those who need it most. In addition to healthcare facilities, the posters will be displayed in churches, police stations, and universities, maximizing visibility in places where victims or those who can support them may encounter the message.

APT Ireland is also calling upon congregations and communities to assist in spreading awareness. While the campaign is launching now, it is not intended to have an endpoint; rather, it will be a sustained effort to educate, inform, and provide pathways to safety for those affected by trafficking.

For more information on how to get involved, please contact APT Ireland.
https://www.aptireland.org

St. Josephine Bakhita Day, commemorated annually on February 8th, continues to serve as a profound reminder of the ongoing fight against human trafficking. Across Ireland and beyond, numerous initiatives took place this year, bringing together communities, organizations, and individuals dedicated to justice, awareness, and action. Among the many events that unfolded, a standout gathering was organised by the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) in the UK, coordinated by Brian O’Toole (RENATE Member and country representative for Ireland), who also represents the Presentation Sisters in the UK.

Throwing Open the Doors to Freedom: A Resounding Success

What began as a modest initiative—initially envisioned to draw an audience of 40 to 50 people—quickly transformed into an extraordinary gathering. The event, titled ‘Throwing Open the Doors to Freedom from Trafficking and Exploitation’, far surpassed expectations. With over 255 registrants and 140 active participants on the night, it became a powerful forum for education, reflection, and action.

The event featured three key speakers: Sr. Imelda Poole, a leading advocate against human trafficking, Kevin Hyland, the UK’s first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and RENATE’s Brian O’Toole. With a diverse audience—many of whom were unfamiliar with the issue of modern slavery—the speakers took time to illuminate the realities of human trafficking by sharing the story of St. Bakhita. To enhance this narrative, they incorporated Let the Oppressed Go Free, a striking visual representation of the issue by artist Timothy Schmalz.

Throughout the session, participants were captivated by the discussion, the depth of insight offered by the speakers, and the urgent call to action. A palpable sense of St. Bakhita’s presence filled the space, making for a deeply moving experience.

Sr. Imelda Poole summed up the sentiment of the evening beautifully: “If we just do the ordinary things well, extraordinary change can happen.”

We invite you watch and share the recording with friends, family, and your communities!
Access the recording here.

A Prayer for the End of Human Trafficking through the Intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita

This prayer was written by Brian O’Toole specifically for the event.

Father in heaven,
May the faith you have given us in your Son, Jesus Christ,
move us to defend the dignity of every human lifeand reawaken in us
the blessed hope of a world free from oppression and slavery.

As you once led your servant, St. Josephine Bakhita, from the darkness
of captivity to the light of faith, may your grace transform us
into tireless defenders of justice.
May we be bold in speaking for those who have no voice,
compassionate in healing the wounds of the oppressed,
and unwavering in our commitment to end human trafficking in all its forms.

May the seeds of your Gospel take root in the hearts of traffickers,
bringing conversion where there is cruelty, mercy where there is greed,
and repentance where there is exploitation.
May those who suffer in slavery todayfind in your love the courage to hope,the strength to endure,and the freedom that is their birthright as children of God.

May the grace of the Jubilee inspire in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for a world where no one is bought or sold,
where every person is cherished as your beloved creation.
Through the prayers of St. Josephine Bakhita,may joy, peace, and justice be sown across the earth,until that day when all chains are broken,all wounds are healed,and your glory shines eternally.

To you, our God, eternally blessed,be glory and praise forever.

Amen.

A Unified Effort for Justice:
The extraordinary response to this event is a testament to the growing commitment to eradicating human trafficking. It was a night of learning, reflection, and most importantly, action—a reminder that the fight for freedom is not just a cause for a single day but an ongoing mission that calls each of us to participate.

As we move forward, the challenge remains: to keep the conversation alive, to educate those around us, and to take meaningful steps toward justice. St. Bakhita’s legacy is one of strength and survival, and through initiatives like these, her story continues to inspire and mobilize change.