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Home Office Minister praises slavery charity on visit to Bristol

Home Office Minister, Karen Bradley, visits a charity in Bristol to see first hand the action being taken locally to tackle modern slavery.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Home Office Minister Karen Bradley

On Monday 10 February, the Minister visited Unseen, a local charity established to prevent and provide support to victims of modern slavery, where she met a number of people affected by slavery, staff and CEO Andrew Wallis to learn more about the organisation’s projects.

The visit comes as the government is taking a wide range of action to end modern slavery and protect victims through legislation and non-legislative work.

Home Office Minister, Karen Bradley, said:

Modern slavery is an evil in our midst and the Home Secretary and I are determined to stamp it out.

We are taking action against this abhorrent crime on a number of fronts. The National Crime Agency is leading an enhanced and co-ordinated response to targeting trafficking gangs, we are increasing protection for victims, and we have published a modern slavery Bill.

All this is a good start but we need everyone to play a part – I am grateful for the vital work carried out by Unseen to help consign slavery to the history books where it belongs.

As well as directly helping victims, Unseen works to raise awareness of the issue of slavery and runs bespoke training sessions for frontline personnel such as police and local authorities. Projects include Bristol’s Anti-Trafficking Partnership and other joint-working initiatives alongside local law enforcement teams.

Published 11 February 2014