Today it is estimated that there are more than 40.3 million people enslaved across the globe. Whilst it is still commonly believed that slavery was abolished in the eighteenth century, modern slavery claims a strong hold on our current society, with cases even being discovered at home here in Nottingham.
“the Rights Lab is the world’s first large-scale research team, of over one-hundred scholars, who are committed to using their research to end slavery by 2030”
Here at the university, the Rights Lab is the world’s first large-scale research team, of over one-hundred scholars, who are committed to using their research to end slavery by 2030. The teams are the driving force behind the anti-slavery efforts, that have been running for around twenty years. Through their research they aim to answer these four questions:
• How many slaves exist in the world and where are they?
• Why does slavery persist?
• What works to end slavery?
• What difference does freedom from slavery make to the world?
“Today slavery comes in a variety of different forms”
So, what is modern slavery? Today slavery comes in a variety of different forms. Anti-Slavery International have created a set of criteria to navigate whether an individual is enslaved. They say that someone is in slavery if; they are forced to work (via coercion or mental or physical threat); they are “owned” and controlled by an employer; if they are treated as an item and sold or bought like “property” and if they have restrictions placed on their freedom of movement.
Modern slavery is employed in many sectors of society. Be it in human trafficking, women forced into prostitution, children working in sweatshops creating clothes for popular chains and men forced to work under terrible and dangerous conditions in agriculture and construction, it occurs everywhere.
This year the Rights Lab are aiming the increase the involvement of students with the project. Throughout the term, they will be running a multitude of different events to advocate the cause. The aim is that students can become advocates themselves and ultimately be more conscious and aware of the consumer choices we make every day and their consequences.
“It is also important that new generations can identify potential modern slavery if they come across it”
It is also important that new generations can identify potential modern slavery if they come across it. If you are in your first year you will have received a copy of the true story Slave in your starter pack, as the Rights Lab teamed up with Nottingham’s reading programme. Slave is the compelling story of a young girl taken from her home in northern Sudan and sold into slavery.
Continuing from this there will be a Freedom fun run around campus and also the popular Sounds Against Slavery night. This event was a huge success in 2018 when an eclectic mix of musicians performed at Rough Trade so keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming dates for 2019. This year, Sounds Against Slavery is going to be held at Rough Trade Nottingham and will consist of 5 acts and tickets will be approximately £5. All funds raised will go towards The Survivor Alliance.
Lois Barton
Educate yourself, shop informed – ethical business, support anti-slavery organisations such as the Rights Lab, Volunteer, Child Sponsorship etc. To find out more connect with the Anti-Slavery Society on Facebook and visit the Rights Lab’s Instagram and website.
Featured image courtesy of Marc Falardeau via Flickr. Image license here. no changes made to this image.
