This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 30 April 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
THE CHURCH and Thames Valley Police are urging Christians to take action against the modern day slavery that is rife throughout the United Kingdom. Thames Valley Police record three modern slavery crimes every week across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
That statistic was released as the force launched it's Hidden Harm campaign to tackle abuse in the region.
The Church of England has launched the national Clewer Initiative to help churches know how to help combat slavery.
Shutterstock The Clewer Initiative is funded by the Clewer Sisters, an Anglican order of nuns founded in 1852 to help marginalised women who found themselves homeless and drawn into the sex trade.
The sisters have been based in Windsor and Begbroke, but now live in the grounds of Ripon College Cuddesdon. Sister Anne Proudley, one of the Clewer sisters, said: "I hope that churches will take the Clewer Initiative on and it will be rolled out into the parishes so that the general public can be made aware that this is a much bigger issue than the cases we read about in the newspapers. "The best way you can help is with your ears and eyes.
Look out for people at the car wash or supermarket.
Notice their demeanour and speak to them if you can.
Notice if someone is working in a supermarket and is still there at 9pm when they started at 8am.
Be aware if you are someone who uses nail bars or salons.
If you are living in an area and you keep seeing different men coming and going to a specific house, always alert the police. "Alison Webster, the diocesan social responsibility adviser, said: "Many churches are already involved with homeless people, lonely people, and hungry people, all of whom are particularly vulnerable to those who exploit people with slavery.
That's why it's important for churches to be aware of what modern day slavery is and how it's impacting our communities. "Det Supt Nick John, Head of TVP's Protecting Vulnerable People unit, said: "Modern slavery is happening in this country, right here in the Thames Valley.
In the past two years 120 modern slavery crimes have been recorded across our area.
With offences in every county of the force, it's a stark reminder that this is an offence that could happen anywhere, even in your community. "April McCoig, Thames Vally Police's Anti Slavery Co-ordinator, said: "There is potential for churches to be a listening ear.
Someone might confide in people at a church.
A lot of slavery happens behind closed doors.
However a domestic slave might leave the house once a week to go to church.
The church could have a really important role to play there. "There is a need to not have any conversations about slavery in front of someone who may be in control of someone else.
Be mindful that there are gang masters involved. "There is now also the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Anti-Slavery Network which aims to bring together a multi-agency partnership to raise awareness of modern slavery, share good practice and identify gaps in the modern slavery response in the region.
Members include representatives from the police, local authorities, fire and rescue services, charities and faith and community groups. In Reading The Mustard Tree is a Christian social action charity that runs the Rahab Project.
The project provides a night outreach to men and women working on the street, offering food, drink, contraception and rape alarms and gathers information for the police.
During the day Rahab offers advocacy and help with hospital/prison visiting, court support and other support.