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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Join us online on Thurs to hear about new research showing how employability skills can prevent re-trafficking. The format is 15 minutes to present, then questions and discussion. The seminar will last no longer than 45 mins, perfect for your lunch hour. events.teams.microsoft.com/event/757cda...

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

We’re still digesting the many conversations we were privileged to be part of at our 2026 conference looking at a human rights approach to modern slavery. You can listen back on our website. Meanwhile, here's a taster from the day. #modernslavery #humanrights #PECconference

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

We’re still buzzing from last week’s #PECconference to discuss human rights and survivor expertise being at the heart of policies against modern slavery and human trafficking. We had some challenging but vital conversations which we’re excited to continue.

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Reposted by Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC)

Alain Berset @alain-berset.coe.int · 24/04/2026

Grateful for a thoughtful discussion at @bonavero.bsky.social with Attorney General Richard Hermer. We spoke about law, power, and Europe’s future at a time when the rules of the established order are no longer self-evident.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Thanks to all who came to #PECconference to discuss a human rights approach to #modernslavery. We covered a lot: centring survivors, Fair Work Agency, human rights in business, and National Referral Mechanism. The discussions felt powerful and necessary. Let’s keep them going.

Participants at Policy & Evidence Centre conference discussing a human rights approach to modern slavery

Participants at Policy & Evidence Centre conference listening to a discussion about human rights approaches to modern slavery

Participants at Policy & Evidence Centre conference looking at an agenda

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Two fantastic new opportunities to join the Modern Slavery PEC team! Policy Impact Lead: my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru... Research Programmes Lead: my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

✅Research was led by @ecpatuk.bsky.social w. support of Freshfields LLP. ✅It was commissioned by the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and @modernslaverypec.bsky.social at @ox.ac.uk, in turn funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) www.modernslaverypec.org/resources/de...

modernslaverypec.org

Definitions of child exploitation

We strive for a world where people are protected from modern slavery by effective, evidence-based policies.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The report calls on the UK Government to introduce a clear, statutory definition of child exploitation and a national child exploitation strategy.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

☝️Age is a factor which clouds practice, for example the legal age of sexual consent being a barrier in the identification of child sexual exploitation for 16- and 17-year-olds. 👉85% of the children who had their NRM cases rejected on the definitional grounds were aged 15-17

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

☝️In contrast to the international definition, domestic legal definitions of human trafficking focus on travel, which leads to UK practice often applying narrower thresholds and excluding children exploited online or locally.

A diagram showing a route between two points

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

☝️Statutory definition of CSE and guidance definition of CCE include coercion, deception or manipulation ☝️International definitions of trafficking underline children can never consent to being exploited. ☝️It means children often treated as making ‘choices’

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Definitions of different forms of child exploitation (criminal, labour, domestic, sexual) entail different elements in separate parts of legislation & statutory guidance, causing confusion: 👉 children not identified 👉investigations & prosecutions affected. For example...👇

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The report found that out of 1,396 negative decisions for child referrals into the NRM in 2024, over 61% were rejected on the grounds that the case did not meet the definitional threshold required to proceed.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

NEW RESEARCH! Inconsistent definitions of child exploitation are undermining the identification and protection of children who were exploited in forms such as sexual, labour and criminal exploitation, or domestic servitude. 👇 www.modernslaverypec.org/resources/de...

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Reposted by Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC)

ECPAT UK @ecpatuk.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Sign up for this FREE lunchtime seminar to mark the launch of our research report - More than Words: how definitions impact on the UK’s response to child trafficking and exploitation

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

ICYMI: sign up to our event launching new research on definitions of child exploitation. 📅 Tue 22 July, 12.30 👩‍💻Speakers: 👩‍💻 Eleanor Lyons, UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner 👩‍💻 Laura Duran & Patricia Durr, @ecpatuk.bsky.social 👇 www.modernslaverypec.org/latest/lunch...

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Our funded research project, led by @rightslab.bsky.social with @sophiehayesfnd.bsky.social, evaluates how SHF's employability programme providing women survivors with employment skills works to prevent re-trafficking amongst survivors of modern slavery. 👇 www.modernslaverypec.org/research-pro...

modernslaverypec.org

Readiness to work as prevention of re-trafficking

We strive for a world where people are protected from modern slavery by effective, evidence-based policies.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Today is World Youth Skills Day, recognising the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment and decent work. For people who experienced modern slavery, access to decent work is a key factor in rebuilding their lives and be protected from exploitation.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Hackathon 2025 is a global online innovation competition by the AI against Modern Slavery (AIMS) initiative (from @mila-quebec.bsky.social), which uses large language models (LLMs) to analyse modern slavery statements by major corporations. Find out more: fundacionpasoslibres.org/aimshackathon/

fundacionpasoslibres.org

AIMS Hackathon – Fundación Pasos Libres

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

NEW EVENT! Definitions of child exploitation. 📅 Tue 22 July, 12.30 👩‍💻 Presentation: Laura Duran, @ecpatuk.bsky.social 👩‍💻 Opening: Eleanor Lyons, UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner 👩‍💻 Closing: Patricia Durr, ECPAT UK. 👇 www.modernslaverypec.org/latest/lunch...

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Read more about the research on children with SEND being at a higher risk of exploitation below. Prof. Anita Franklin, who led this study, was one of the signatories of the letter to the Guardian. www.modernslaverypec.org/latest/gaps-...

modernslaverypec.org

Gaps in policies and services put children with SEND at risk of…

Press release: children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation due to gaps in policies and…

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

It’s important to note that - as PEC-funded research led by @manmetuni.bsky.social points out - children with SEND are exposed to greater risks of grooming & exploitation. The report called for a strategy to prevent children with SEND from being exploited and increased support resources.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Over 100 campaigners, academics & parents of children with special needs and disabilities (SEND) called on the Government not to scrap the education, health and care plans (EHCPs), which outline a child's needs and the support they need. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

theguardian.com

The right to an education, health and care plan must be retained | Letters

Letter: Jane Asher, Carrie Grant, Chris Packham, Anna Bird, Fazilet Hadi, Sally Phillips, Jon Sparkes and 100 others call on the government not to remove the right to an EHCP from children attending m...

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

The team, incl. a worker consultant, spoke on benefits & challenges of survivor engagement, and on strategies to mitigate potential risks. The project is by @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social, @newcastleuni.bsky.social‬, Impactt Limited & @unseenuk.bsky.social 👇 www.modernslaverypec.org/research-pro...

modernslaverypec.org

Preventing debt bondage in healthcare supply chains

We strive for a world where people are protected from modern slavery by effective, evidence-based policies.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

We are delighted to report that the team behind our funded research on preventing debt bondage in the healthcare supply chains spoke at the ILO Regulating Decent Work Conference in Geneva on the ‘Worker Voice and Labour Governance’ panel on including survivors in the research 🧵

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

. beyondslavery.bsky.social by openDemocracy is marking its 10th anniversary by publishing a series of articles taking stock of the anti-trafficking field. TBS has been a crucial critical voice to the “modern slavery sector” and this series is a must-read. 👇 www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...

opendemocracy.net

Ten years on, have we moved Beyond Trafficking and Slavery?

We started BTS in 2014 to help everyone better understand the root causes of exploitation. Did we succeed?

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Congratulations to Jane Lasonder, member of our Lived Experience Advisory Panel, who spoke about meaningfully engaging people with lived experience of exploitation in the work and policies addressing modern slavery at the UN Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors by UNODC.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

LAST CALL for our lunchtime seminar today at 12.30 👇 📣 Identifying Child Criminal Exploitation in Northern Ireland 👩‍💻🧑‍💻 Dr Gillian Kane from Ulster University and Andrew Chisholm from the International Organization for Migration United Kingdom. Register: www.modernslaverypec.org/latest/lunch...

modernslaverypec.org

Lunchtime seminar: Identifying child criminal exploitation in…

We strive for a world where people are protected from modern slavery by effective, evidence-based policies.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

In her speech, Jane will touch on the need to include people with lived experience of exploitation in policies on modern slavery in a meaningful way, with adding lived experience councils at the heart of organisations as one of the first steps towards it.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

We are proud that Jane Lasonder, member of our Lived Experience Advisory Panel, will speak today at the first-ever United Nations Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors 'Voices of Resilience' organised by UNODC (Office on Drugs and Crime). Read & watch here 👇 www.unodc.org/unodc/en/hum...

unodc.org

First Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors – Voices of Resilience

The First Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors - Voices of Resilience, on 24-25 June 2025 at the Vienna International Centre, will bring together survivor leaders, policymakers, and civil soci...

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Mick Clarke of ‪@passagecharity.bsky.social, and Eleanor Lyons, the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, write on preventing exploitation in the context of homelessness, following their report earlier this week. www.bigissue.com/opinion/mode...

bigissue.com

If we want to prevent modern slavery, we must start with preventing homelessness

Nearly half of the survivors supported by Westminster charity The Passage's modern slavery service were homeless when they were recruited.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

This is the team behind the research on equitable engagement of lived experience in development work by @livunipol.bsky.social. The speakers include Sophie Otiende, @christianashnc.bsky.social, Benedetta Rossi (UCL) & Yuki Lo (Freedom Fund). Report: www.modernslaverypec.org/resources/to...

modernslaverypec.org

Towards principles for equitable engagement

Research on equitable engagement of lived experience, with six separate reports from four continents.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

We’re looking forward to the conference by @devcomms.bsky.social ‘Navigating crisis - dangers and opportunities in development’, 25–27 June. Our team is convening a roundtable on the intersection of development work and interventions to address modern slavery. 👇 www.devstud.org.uk/conference/c...

devstud.org.uk

25-27 June 2025: Panel timetable

Accepted panels for DSA2025 conference at Bath

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

📢 NEW PROJECT! A research project by @bsmsmedschool.bsky.social, @newcastleuni.bsky.social‬, Impactt Limited & @unseenuk.bsky.social is evaluating the effectiveness of the Employer Pays Principle (EPP) in preventing debt bondage in healthcare supply chains. 👇 www.modernslaverypec.org/research-pro...

modernslaverypec.org

Preventing debt bondage in healthcare supply chains

We strive for a world where people are protected from modern slavery by effective, evidence-based policies.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Important research from the Passage Charity in partnership with the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner on prevention of exploitation in the context of homelessness, is being published on Monday, still time to register! 👇 events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8a21f1...

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Reposted by Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC)

Dr Gillian Kane @gillkane.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Last week, @andrewchisholm.bsky.social and I launched our research on identifying modern slavery/human trafficking in the context of CCE in Northern Ireland. Find out more and sign up for next week's lunchtime seminar (26th June) below. ⬇️

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

We couldn't agree more. Lived experience experts should be at the forefront of policies to address modern slavery in all its forms of exploitation not only because it's the right thing to do, but also because meaningfully involving them will make those policies more effective.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

“There are so many voices that need to be heard. [...] We can do it, let us do it – we don’t need you to speak on our behalf.” Survivors of sexual exploitation in Telford called for allowing them to shape the national inquiry into the grooming scandal. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

theguardian.com

Grooming gang survivors say political ‘tug of war’ must stop before inquiry

Exclusive: Telford survivors say people are ‘exploiting the exploited’ and push for women to shape new investigation

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Next week 24 June we'll be attending 'Modern Slavery Knowledge Mobilisation Conference,' in London, organised by the UK BME Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET) together with the the British Academy Early Career Research Network. Sign up here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/basnet-mod...

eventbrite.co.uk

BASNET Modern Slavery Knowledge Mobilisation Conference

Bridging Research and Practice: Amplifying Voices in Modern Slavery

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

To that end, we funded research by @ecpatuk.bsky.social exploring how definitions impact UK’s response to child trafficking, which we hope will inform the inquiry, the public debate and the UK’s response to protecting children from abuse and exploitation. 👇 www.modernslaverypec.org/research-pro...

modernslaverypec.org

Definitions of child exploitation

Research project on how definitions impact on the UK’s response to child trafficking.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

It is worth noting that cases of ‘group-based sexual exploitation of children’ fall under the umbrella of modern slavery. There are long-standing issues with terminology and labelling in this area, which might add to confusion over appropriate responses.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

We hope that safeguarding of children from sexual exploitation firmly remains at the heart of the national inquiry and public debate around it.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

The report outlines 12 recommendations, incl: ➡️ Tightening the law around the consent of children under 16. ➡️ Delivering justice for victims. ➡️ Improving the data and intelligence collection and sharing amongst agencies to improve tackling child sexual exploitation.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

➡️ The report also notes the lack of data on the ethnicity of offenders, which created a vacuum for accusations made against particular ethnic groups. It noted that this issue warrants further investigation to create a more informed debate.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

➡️ Lack of data on scale and nature of abuse. Available figures (around 700 group‑offence cases in 2023) understate the probable scale. ➡️Flaws in data gathering, incl. covers child sexual abuse committed by two or more perpetrators, i.e. catching non-group related abuse.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

The report findings include: ➡️ Institutional failures & “culture of denial” – authorities habitually dismissed abuse. ➡️ “Adultification” of children. Teenaged girls - esp. those in care - were often treated as complicit rather than as children needing protection.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

The UK Government accepted the recommendations of report by Louise Casey into the group-based sexual exploitation of girls it commissioned earlier this year and announced a national inquiry into the ‘grooming gangs’ scandal. A thread. 🧵 assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684ffa...

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Today is the International Domestic Workers Day. The UK has a way to go to ensure all domestic workers enjoy decent work and safe workplaces. Read Marissa Begonia, a founder of an organisation Voice of Domestic Workers, writing about it in the Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/opinion/dome...

bigissue.com

If Labour really wants to protect women, it must restore domestic workers' rights

Domestic workers in the UK face exploitation under restrictive visa rules. Marissa Begonia calls for urgent reform to protect their rights.

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Interesting event at the @Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at @ox.ac.uk, looking at the history of the 1930 Forced Labour Convention with its colonial connotations and trying to re-think our approach to forced labour. 👇 www.law.ox.ac.uk/content/even...

law.ox.ac.uk

Bonavero Discussion Group: Re-Covering Forced

We are delighted to welcome Professor Christopher Roberts to lead our Bonavero Discussion Group

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Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) @modernslaverypec.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

What does child criminal exploitation look like in Northern Ireland? Newly published research points overwhelmingly to the context of drugs and paramilitaries. However, these cases aren't recognised as modern slavery. Read more 👇 www.modernslaverypec.org/resources/id...

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