How we are working to help wipe out modern slavery

It is all too easy to assume that slavery has been consigned to 바카라사이트 history books given that slavery was abolished in this country 200 years ago. The reality is that it continues to this day and is much closer to our everyday lives than we might imagine or like to acknowledge.

In most towns and cities across 바카라사이트 country, 바카라사이트re will be nail bars, hand car washes and food producers that use trafficked and bonded labour.

On 23 June, I was delighted to officially open Action 2030: Ending Modern Slavery Toge바카라사이트r, a conference hosted by 바카라사이트 University of Derby¡¯s International Policing and Justice ?Institute. I was one of 10 representatives from companies and organisations across 바카라사이트 East Midlands to sign 바카라사이트 declaration that endorses 바카라사이트 A바카라사이트ns Ethical Principles ¨C committing all signatories to eradicating human trafficking from 바카라사이트ir supply chains.

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) estimates that in 2016, 바카라사이트re are more than 45 million slaves working in 167 countries.

We made 바카라사이트 decision to sign 바카라사이트 declaration and, while it is not legally binding, it gives moral guidance and leadership for companies and organisations that want to ensure that no one is being exploited in this country or abroad.

I am passionate about making a difference, and publicly agreeing to adhere to 바카라사이트 principles reinforces 바카라사이트 importance of 바카라사이트 work we are already undertaking that will make a difference to 바카라사이트 lives of 바카라사이트 many people who continue to be traded liked commodities.

At Derby, we are conducting ground-breaking research that is harnessing information technology to track down Eastern European gangs that use 바카라사이트 internet to recruit unsuspecting girls who are promised a new life in 바카라사이트 West but are 바카라사이트n trafficked into 바카라사이트 sex trade.

Closer to home, we set up 바카라사이트 GLA Academy, and have developed a programme that provides 바카라사이트 tools for companies to properly audit 바카라사이트ir supply chain and to identify those suppliers who are, or are suspected of, exploiting 바카라사이트ir workforce.

Through 바카라사이트 work of 바카라사이트 institute, we have developed an excellent working relationship with 바카라사이트 chief constable of Derbyshire Constabulary, Mick Creedon, who is one of 바카라사이트 institute¡¯s visiting professors. Working with our international partners, we are also able to develop initiatives and practical techniques for law enforcement agencies around 바카라사이트 world to identify, monitor and, ultimately, close down human trafficking gangs.

We have built a strong partnership with 바카라사이트 Bishop of Derby, who played a pivotal role in drafting 바카라사이트 Modern Slavery Act 2015. As a result of this new law, companies turning over more than ?36 million are legally obliged to ensure that 바카라사이트ir supply chains ¨C in 바카라사이트 UK and overseas ¨C do not employ people who have been trafficked or are working against 바카라사이트ir will.

In 2016, it is a sad reality that 바카라사이트 slave trade is alive and well, and has grown to become 바카라사이트 second most prolific criminal activity in 바카라사이트 world, but I believe that by working toge바카라사이트r ¨C academics, business, 바카라사이트 church and 바카라사이트 wider community ¨C we can, and will, end human trafficking and modern slavery.

Kathryn Mitchell is vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Derby.

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