Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Responding to modern slavery

When slavery is happening on the doorsteps of our churches, we must respond. How? By Dan Pratt

 

Modern Slavery

With the National Crime Agency (NCA) estimating there are well over 13,000 people being kept in modern slavery in the UK today, we must ask what is the church’s response to modern slavery? 

The NCA states that ‘As you go about your normal daily life there is a growing and a good chance that you will come across a victim who has been exploited and that's why we are asking the public to recognise their concerns and report them."

It is therefore imperative that the church responds to this injustice. In my ministry as a Baptist minister among those on the margins I have come into regular contact with those being exploited for labour or sexual services. Within the Eastern Baptist Association churches have already identified and helped victims of MS or those vulnerable to exploitation by reporting to the authorities and enabling people to be freed. 

The UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Kevin Hyland, notes ‘Faith groups have influence, insight and rare avenues into the community. They are therefore a powerful tool in the fight against modern slavery’. 

As Baptists, if we are seeking to follow Jesus in his mission, we follow him in 'setting the captives fee'. When slavery is happening on the doorsteps of our churches and even sometimes within our churches, we must respond in order to protect and safeguard. How do we do this?

  • Firstly we need to see our communities and streets with new eyes. Do we see those being kept in slavery around us? Do our churches know how to spot the signs of someone in slavery? Are individuals isolated?  Is their story scripted? Are they being controlled?
  • Secondly we should act. If we suspect someone is being kept as a slave do we know to phone the Modern Slavery National Helpline (08000 121700).  www.modernslaveryhelpline.org
  • Thirdly, we need to partner together and consult. We are stronger when we work together to fight this injustice. How can we as Baptists Together, within our churches, associations and national networks work together in setting the captives free? 


Within the EBA, we are developing a joined up response and exploring how partnerships can develop. We are working in partnership with organisations such as The Clewer Initiative, the Church of England’s response to Modern Slavery. In 2018 the EBA along with The Clewer Initiative is facilitating three regional anti-slavery summits in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Norwich.

Having attended The Clewer Initiative's launch at Lambeth Palace, 17 October, it was encouraging to see their joined up and proactive approach. Miriam, a survivor of modern slavery stated at the launch ‘I was trafficked by Christians. For 10 years I was a victim of modern slavery. They told me when to eat, when to sleep. I had no freedom’. Bishop Alistair Redfern called the church to ‘take off our blinkers and go and find those in our society who are victims of modern slavery’.

As we join Jesus is setting the captives free, how can we as Baptists develop a robust and collective response towards the injustice of modern slavery?


Picture | Clewer Initiative

Dan Pratt is Antislavery Co-ordinator for the Eastern Baptist Association

New UK modern slavery findings 
Modern slavery in the UK is on the increase according to a number of recent reports  
 
Review: Human Trafficking, the Bible and the Church By Marion L.S Carson
'Valuable piece of work offering a rigorous overview of the themes of slavery and prostitution within the Bible, and exploring a church response
 

 

Baptist Times, 20/10/2017
    Post     Tweet
EBA Home Mission Stories
Examples of how Home Mission funds are being used in the Eastern Baptist Association
SubArticleD2019
Churches Together in King’s Lynn Peace and Justice Forum 2024: a positive step forward 
More than 45 people gathered at Cornerstone King’s Lynn Baptist Church for a day conference on peace and justice, the first of its kind for some years in West Norfolk
David Mayne appointed EBA Regional Minister Team Leader 
The General Meeting of the Eastern Baptist Association (EBA) voted to call David, Lead Pastor at Shoeburyness and Thorpe Bay Baptist Church in Essex, to serve as the new Regional Minister Team Leader for the Association
Churches come together as chaplains at Lowestoft festival
Ten chaplains volunteered their time to host a space where people could encounter the presence of God at the First Light Festival
'They changed an isolated, withdrawn old lady into one who feels ready to face the world'
Leigh Road Baptist Church is celebrating the first anniversary of the weekly drop-in space called 'Renew Wellbeing' in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
Ipswich walker who forgot to change her shoes leans on church support  
A Baptist church member who has walked a total of 100km to raise money for Christian international development organisation Tearfund has paid tribute to her ‘amazing supportive church, family and friends.’
'We thought a closer partnership had potential' 
Two Baptist churches in Southend have decided to become one faith community seeking to reach out to others across the city
     Regional News 
    Posted: 20/12/2021
    Posted: 05/11/2021
    Posted: 03/06/2019
    Posted: 18/10/2018
    Posted: 03/10/2018
    Posted: 19/01/2018
    Posted: 05/09/2017