BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network
The first network in the UK and in Europe dedicated to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the anti-trafficking and anti-slavery space.
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BASNET Brunch and Learn Event
Crossing Borders: Cultivating Cultural Intelligence in Modern Slavery Service Delivery
Date: 30 April 2024
BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network is hosting a series of free Brunch and Learn online sessions for professionals in the anti-slavery sector. These sessions are one hour bitesize training events developed by BASNET to help improve practice and service delivery and cover topics such as:
Cultural Intelligence
Race equality, diversity and inclusion in modern slavery
Effective community engagement and
Service design and delivery through an EDI lens
The first online session will be held on Tuesday 30th of April from 11am-12pm under the topic:
“Crossing Borders: Cultivating Cultural Intelligence in Modern Slavery Service Delivery”
This topic will cover Cultural Intelligence when supporting BME survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking
To register for the 30 April event, click here
BASNET Sector Meeting on Our New Report:
The Safe House is Not Safe - Survivors of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and Their Experiences of Racism and Intersectional Discrimination in Some UK Government Funded Safe Houses
BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network unveiled its groundbreaking report on 18 March 2024 highlighting the harsh realities faced by survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking in government-funded Safe Houses across England. Based on firsthand experiences from 13 experts residing in these shelters, the report exposes inadequate accommodation and discrimination rooted in race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, and ethnicity. BASNET organised a sector-wide briefing to discuss the report's findings and recommendations, emphasising the voices of survivors and urging systemic change. Key stakeholders, including the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, representatives from organisations like The Salvation Army and the Care Quality Commission, and survivors themselves, participated in the dialogue. The conversation underscored the importance of trauma-informed support, cultural competency training, and collaboration among stakeholders to transform safe houses into empowering havens for survivors. A commitment to tangible reforms and engaging the Home Office in collective efforts emerged from the discussion, signaling a call to action to ensure that safe houses genuinely serve as sanctuaries for those seeking freedom from exploitation.
BASNET Action: Exploitation in the UK Health and Social Care Sector as a Race Issue
BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network is very concerned about the exploitation of workers in the UK's health and care sectors, particularly under government visa schemes. In a letter to the Home Secretary dated 9 February 2024 and co-signed by over 40 BASNET members and partners, we emphasised the pressing need for immediate action, framing the issue as a significant race-related problem requiring comprehensive solutions. Our letter outlined many instances of fraud, debt bondage, financial abuse and exploitation and proposed specific recommendations, including enhanced vetting for recruitment agencies and better support systems for victims. We asserted that the failure to act promptly may breach equality laws and exacerbate the already dire situation for migrant workers. BASNET invited a collaboration with the Home Office and other related agencies to discuss these pressing issues and explore viable solutions. As the fate and well-being of many hang in the balance, BASNET awaits a prompt and decisive response from the Home Office to rectify systemic inequalities and safeguard the dignity of those here to help contribute to the success of the UK's health and social care sector.
Read our letter to the Home Secretary
Read response to our letter by Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove MP
International Women’s Day 2024: Exploitation of Migrant Female Workers in the UK Health and Social Care Sector - A New Slavery?
International Women’s Day 2024: Exploitation of Migrant Female Workers in the UK Health and Social Care Sector - A New Slavery?
On 13th of March 2024, BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network organised an online event titled “Exploitation of Migrant Women in the UK Health and Social Care Sector: A New Slavery?”. The event served to underscore the racial dynamics, gender inequality and migrant rights issues involved in what is now referred to as “state enabled” exploitation and modern slavery of migrant workers in the UK. The event unravelled the intricate layers of exploitation and modern slavery lurking beneath the surface of the health and social care industry. Through panel discussions and interactive sessions, the event explored the root causes, systemic implications, and potential solutions to this multifaceted, multilateral problem. BASNET continue to stand at the forefront of addressing this pressing issue that has so far remained hidden from plain sight: the exploitation of workers in the health, domiciliary and care sectors, with a high number of cases involving women from outside the UK seeking to work under different government health and social care work visa schemes.
2nd BASNET Residential Capacity Building Programme: 20-23 May 2024
BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network is hosting its second residential capacity building programme for Black and ethnic anti-trafficking innovators across the UK modern slavery and human trafficking sector. The aim is to foster community between members who are founders and CEOs of small charities and aid in the strengthening of skills and processes needed to advance their organisations.
This programme is opened to organisations who are active members of BASNET only. There is still time to become a member!
Join BASNET - the UK BME Anti-Slavery Network
We are the only network dedicated to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the UK Anti-Slavery space
If you are a small Black and Ethnic led charity or comunity based organisation already working on anti-trafficking, county lines, sex exploitation, labour exploitation and so on, or you have an interest to grow your work in these areas, why not consider becoming a member of BASNET?
We have a range of benefits for our members, including free residential capacity-building programmes, financial support to organise anti-trafficking advocacy events in your communities, support with funding applications to develop your anti trafficking work and opportunities to build your connections for anti-trafficking policy, research and project partnerships
Our Members Activities
With funding from The Samworth Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and AB Charitable Trust, we support our members to undertake projects and activities in their communities to tackle factors leading to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and the impact.
Music Relief Foundation Held an Interactive Event on Girls and Child Criminal Exploitation in Croydon
Wonderfully Made Woman Held an Engaging Inaugural Event in Greenford on Modern Slavery and The Vulnerability of Women
WODIN Held A Successful Event in Liverpool on “Cyber-Safety: How Parents Can Protect Their Children From Online Exploitation”
Salam Project Football Tournament For Boys in West London To Raise Awareness of County Lines Trafficking
Salam Project Talking Compact Workshop in London for 13-19 year olds on County Lines Trafficking
House of Rainbow Panel Event on Impact of Illegal Migration Act on BME LGBT Survivors of Modern Slavery.
Anti-Slavery Month 2023 Event:
Organ Trafficking: Exploring The Complexities and Racial Dynamics
Inspired by the first successfully prosecuted Organ Trafficking case in the UK earlier this year, this online event held on 13 October 2023 explored the complex issues of organ trafficking, organ harvesting and illegal organ transplant and the intersections with race, migration, poverty and other vulnerabilities.
Our Panel of Experts explored the role of different actors and drivers affecting the high demand and low supply of organs, including corruption, weak states with low enforcement of the law, the gaps in government policies, legislation and international oversight as well as reduced legal migration routes. They professed recommendations to address this serious and insidious problem.
Many thanks to our panellists Godwin Morka, formerly of NAPTIP, Nigeria; Dr Sean Columb of University of Liverpool; Iain Ross of the Metropolitan Police; Jo Tanner of University of West London and Eleanor Stephenson of International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China.
BASNET Research Report on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Publicly Funded Modern Slavery Research
We are delighted to release our research report: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Publicly Funded Modern Slavery Research”. The research was conducted in partnership with the St Mary’s University at Twickenham, the University of Nottingham and the Sheffield University, following an open call by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre. This piece of work is also a fulfilment of BASNET Race Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan Theme on Research which called for research on EDI within the wider modern slavery research sector, to understand the challenges and barriers stopping people from all backgrounds from being able to participate effectively and make recommendations for improvements.
BASNET members (community leaders and leaders by experience) contributed and took part in the focus group sessions, alongside other representative groups. We thank them for their contributions to the success of the project.
The research also included data analysis and analysis of various research reports, including those funded by the Modern Slavery PEC to identify how EDI was represented in research reporting.
Amongst others, the research found that EDI is not considered enough throughout the research process or described comprehensively within research reports.
The research provided recommendations targeting: 1. Funders and Researchers in the EDI research process; 2. Funders and Employers on EDI in the Research Workforce; 3. EDI in Funder and Employer Policy and Practice.
BASNET Activities
BASNET Submission to Home Affairs Committee Inquiry on Human Trafficking
BASNET has provided Written Evidence to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee Inquiry on Human Trafficking. Our key submission was that human trafficking in the UK is a race problem with significant repercussions for many individials and communities across the country.
Home Affairs Committee Inquiry Report on Human Trafficking Released
BASNET and our members welcome the recently released House of Commons Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into Human Trafficking report. BASNET provided a submission to inform the Committee’s inquiry. We support the Committee’s conclusion that human trafficking in the UK is no longer a priority for the UK government and that the UK is failing to deal with the reality of this terrible crime.
Blog Post: Rethinking How We Undertake Research In the UK Modern Slavery Space
In this blog post on the UK Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre website, the Chair of BASNET, Debbie Ariyo OBE argues that for modern slavery research to be impactful, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) can no longer be tick-box exercises. “We have to be more intentional about embedding EDI in modern slavery research”.
BASNET and Sector Engagement
BASNET Presentation at Global Sustainability Network Conference: “Ending Modern Slavery: Harnessing Scalable Solutions”
Debbie Ariyo OBE, Chair of BASNET joined a panel of experts at the Sustainability Network conference in London. She spoke about BASNET’s work with Experts By Experience to highlight racism and homophobia in NRM sub contracted shelters for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking (photo by GSN). Our report on this will be published soon.
BASNET Joins Panel of Experts at “Equity In Evidence” Conference to Explore “Research As A Form of Empowerment”
Debbie Ariyo OBE represented BASNET on an expert panel at the recent Equity in Evidence conference in London. She highlighted how research must strengthen inclusivity through creating an enabling environment for community based organisations and experts by experience to collaborate and engage with academia as equal partners (photo by Aditi Charterjee)
BASNET Joins other Anti-Trafficking agencies to call on Parliament to Protect Survivors, Prevent Trafficking and Uphold International Law.
The Illegal Migration Bill puts lives at risk by requiring the UK to breach international laws including the European Convention on Human Rights, the Refugee Convention, the Children’s Rights Convention, the Trafficking Convention and the Statelessness Convention. We joined other charities to call on UK Parliament to amend the Bill to protect human rights
Testimonials
Contact Us
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For all enquiries email BASNET Secretariat here.
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BASNET works across the UK. BASNET is a project of AFRUCA Safeguarding Children based in London and Manchester.
London: AFRUCA - Safeguarding Children, Head Office Address: Unit 8, 290 Mare Street, London, E8 1HE, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)207 704 2261
Manchester: AFRUCA Centre for Black and Ethnic Children and Families, Address: Suite 2, Building 3, Universal Square, Devonshire Street North, Manchester M12 6JH United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 161 205 9274
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Complete our application form to become a member of BASNET the UK BME Anti - Slavery Network here.