Medaille Trust has celebrated 20 years of providing restoration and support for
survivors of trafficking and modern slavery at a celebratory Mass and reception at
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
The charity, founded by Sr Ann Teresa SSJA with the support of Catholic Religious,
began by providing hospitality and a safe house for vulnerable women working in
street prostitution in Southampton in 2006. It has now grown into a national charity
supporting more than 700 people a year with intensive wraparound support including
ten safe houses, five community projects, a criminal justice programme to help
victims pursue their exploiters and a prevention project in Albania.
The celebrations in Liverpool included a Mass presided by the Archbishop of
Liverpool John Sherrington and a display of artworks produced by survivors.
Archbishop Sherrington thanked the staff and volunteers for their commitment to
fighting for justice. He spoke of the importance of accompaniment and support on
“the journey from victim to survivor, the rediscovery of light in a dark life, freedom in
despair, and love where there was only oppression.”
Medaille Trust CEO Dani Wardman said “Over the last 20 years, Medaille has helped
thousands of survivors find safety, rebuild their lives and move towards lasting
freedom. As we begin our next chapter, our ambition is to ensure every survivor has
the opportunity to build a future of safety and dignity”