Churches are working together to try to end human trafficking. Below we list the churches and organisations involved in helping put an end to modern day slavery, including campaigns and resources for those who would like to get involved. Updated 22 October 2020. Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) “To be silent is to […]
Human Trafficking
It is estimated that there are currently 36 million people enslaved in the world. It is difficult to know the exact number however, as victims are often hidden and the crime goes unreported.
After the international drugs trade, human trafficking is the second largest criminal activity in the world along with illegal arms trading. Modern day slavery can take on several forms like sex trafficking, organ trafficking, child trafficking and forced (child) marriage. Although sex trafficking is well publicised in the media, labour trafficking and debt bondage are increasingly becoming the most common forms of trafficking today.
Churches and organisations are working together to try to end human trafficking, to provide support and safe havens and to help raise awareness of the issue.
*Global statistics and information can be found on Not For Sale Campaign
Clewer Initiative against modern slavery launched
A new project, called the Clewer Initiative, dedicated to mobilising churches to end modern slavery in the UK was launched on 17 October 2017 at Lambeth Palace. It is a three year project led by the Church of England with partners including the Anglican Alliance, Salvation Army, Santa Marta Group, Freedom Sunday and Stop the Traffik. […]
Freedom Sunday 15th October 2017
A resource pack is now available to download for Freedom Sunday 2017, a global day of worship and action against human trafficking. The pack includes suggestions for a Freedom Sunday service on October 15th to engage communities in prayer and worship against human trafficking. Download the resource pack from the Freedom Sunday website.
‘Behind closed doors’ report
Behind closed doors – voices against gender-based violence, human trafficking and modern-day slavery, was initiated in the autumn of 2015 to address the situation of women in relation to human trafficking and modern slavery. The report assesses the challenges and opportunities facing the churches and the particular contribution which the Pentecostal Churches can play in relation […]
Churches highlight evil of human trafficking
February 8 is marked by the Catholic Church in England and Wales as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. Bishop Patrick Lynch described it as ‘a wonderful opportunity – every year – to remember and pray for those who have suffered from the dreadful experience of having been trafficked and an […]
Churches have capacity to help combat human trafficking Cardinal Nichols tells ITV News
While the Police are failing victims of modern slavery, according to the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner in a video by ITV News, the Church could have a significant role in combatting the crime, according to Cardinal Vincent Nichols of the Catholic Church in England in Wales. ‘Human trafficking is a vast international evil network – […]
Freedom Sunday
On Freedom Sunday, 16 October 2016, take part in a global day of worship and action against human trafficking. A Christian resource pack is available to download containing background information, suggestions for a sermon on the theme of human trafficking, prayers, theological reflection, worship and action. Churches Together in England (CTE) is also interested to […]
Churches Combatting Modern Slavery
As part of its initiative to address the wider impacts of modern day slavery and human trafficking, Churches Together in England (CTE) is inviting churches in the Pentecostal tradition to take part in a nationwide survey on their encounter with human trafficking, both here and in their wider international networks. This project is being led […]
Church of Scotland backs action against human trafficking
A petition from Stop the Traffik calling for an end to the practice of human trafficking, signed by thousands of people in Edinburgh, has been backed by the Right Rev Dr Angus Morrison, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The petition calls on retailers not to sell clothes made by people […]
Resource: exploring human trafficking
These resources from the Mission Theology Advisory Group (MTAG) are designed to help Christians learn about and think about the crimes of human trafficking and modern day slavery. While these resources contain plenty of information about trafficking to help you find out more about it, they also invite you to think about what our own […]