Anti-Slavery Day – 18 October

Anti-Slavery Day, 18th October, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery, and encourage government, local authorities, companies, charities and individuals to do what they can to address the problem. It was created by the Anti-Slavery Day Act, a Private Members Bill introduced Anthony Steen CBE, now Chair of the Human Trafficking Foundation.

Each year more and more charities, individuals, local authorities and police forces take action to mark Anti-Slavery Day.

The Human Trafficking Foundation hosts Anti-Slavery Day Awards to recognise journalists, filmmakers and broadcasters who have exposed issues of modern slavery, and to celebrate organisations and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the fight against modern slavery.

2022 Award Winners

HTF Trustee Awards for Outstanding Contribution in the Fight Against Modern Slavery Sir Mo Farah & Dame Sara Thornton

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION WINNERS

Reducing Vulnerabilities Award Nusrat Uddin, Public Law Department at Wilson Solicitors LLP

Rebuilding Lives Award Valentina Spencer, Housing for Women

Empowering Survivor Voices Award Breaking the Chains Project, Shpresa Programme

Statutory Services Award DI Paul Wiggett, Metropolitan Police Service

MEDIA WINNERS

Best written opinion piece dealing with Modern Slavery Caroline Haughey, The Independent, ‘To Trample over the Intentions of the Modern Slavery Act is Reprehensible.’ Read here and Rowan Williams, The Times, ‘Government should be ashamed of Nationality and Borders Bill.’ Read here.

Best news piece dealing with Modern Slavery Angus Crawford and Tony Smith, BBC, ‘Homes for Ukraine: Housing Scheme called Danger to Refugees.’ Read here.

Best investigative news article dealing with Modern Slavery Emiliano Mellino Pete Pattisson and Rudra Pangeni, Bureau of Investigative Journalism & The Guardian, ‘Migrant fruit pickers charged thousands in illegal fees to work on UK farms, investigation shows.’ Read here.

Best broadcast piece dealing with Modern Slavery Leo Burley and Hannah Richards BBC, ‘The Real Mo Farah.’ Watch here.

WITH THANKS TO

Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP for kindly hosting the awards in Speakers House

And to our panel of expert judges:

  • Paul Withrington, Porchlight

  • Naeema Ahmed, BASNET

  • Temi Adekoya, ECPAT UK

  • Annie McCarthy, Marsh Trust

  • Ake Achi, Migrants at Work

  • Donna Pryor, Safe Place

  • Neil Connolly, The Willow Team

View all shortlisted nominations for Media and Outstanding Contributions which showcase the incredible contributions to the fight against modern slavery made over the last year.