A SPOTLIGHT will be shined on the atrocities of slavery this week.

Anti-Slavery Day will take place on Friday.

The day is being organised by The Clewer Initiative, which enables Church of England dioceses and wider church networks to raise awareness of modern slavery, identify victims and to help provide victim support and care.

Caroline Barnard, from The Clewer Initiative, said: “Homeless people living on the street, and those in temporary accommodation, are vulnerable to being exploited by perpetrators of slavery who can offer incentives that sound attractive. Many of these perpetrators are part of national or global gangs, operating in different parts of the country, which means they can move slaves from town to town to avoid detection and isolate the slaves further from potential networks of help.

“In the last two years, the Modern Slavery Helpline has had reports of 353 potential victims who were homeless before, during, or after being exploited.

“There are many causes for homelessness, ranging from family break-ups, to unemployment, personal crises, and mental health. Victims of modern slavery may also become homeless after escaping from their traffickers because they are unable or don’t know how to access support.

“At the moment, although there is lots of anecdotal evidence, there is very little data to connect homelessness and modern slavery. We know that over the winter many churches across the UK host or support Night Shelters, potentially coming into contact with thousands of homeless people. We need you to start a conversation with your guests, to enable them to find help and support..

“Have they been targeted by traffickers? Have they picked up casual work which turned out to be abusive or exploitative? Ask open questions which encourage your guests to tell their story.

“Let’s talk to the homeless people in our communities, so we can say ‘We See You’ to victims of modern slavery.”

To read the prayers and access the resources visit www.theclewerinitiative.org/letstalk