#WeAreNotForSale: Eight ways you can help end modern slavery

Find out how you can stand in solidarity with survivors and support the Army’s #WeAreNotForSale campaign for Anti-Slavery Day on 18 October.

Each year, Salvationists and members of the public are invited to join the fight against modern slavery. Here are 8 ways you can get involved:

1. Buy your temporary tattoo now in time for Anti-Slavery Day
2. Get involved in the #WeAreNotForSale social media campaign
3. Attend the Concert to Celebrate Survivors on 16 October
4. Contact your MP
5. Pray for justice and reconciliation
6. Volunteer your time
7. Learn to spot the signs of modern slavery
8. Fundraise for the survivor support fund

Read on for more information.

1. Buy your temporary tattoo now in time for Anti-Slavery Day

The #WeAreNotForSale temporary tattoo has a barcode design to symbolise how slavery treats people as objects to be bought, sold and exploited.

Help to start a conversation and raise awareness about modern slavery by wearing your tattoo, taking a selfie and sharing it on social media with the hashtag #WeAreNotForSale and tag The Salvation Army UK and Ireland.

Major Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery, says: ‘Together we are all fighting to end slavery, but we can only end it when everyone recognises the scale of the problem.

‘Help to spark a conversation about human trafficking by wearing a #WeAreNotForSale temporary tattoo for Anti-Slavery Day. The tattoos are temporary but the conversations you will have from wearing one will make a lasting impact.’

Each tattoo can be bought for £1 (or pack of 50 for £25) from SP&S roadshows or from the SP&S website with all proceeds going towards The Salvation Army’s Survivor Support Fund.

The fund helps to meet the cost of services and items that fall outside of the support survivors are entitled to through the Government contract ­— it helps them regain their independence and build a brighter future.

2. Get involved in the #WeAreNotForSale social media campaign

A digital toolkit published on salvationarmy.org.uk contains Anti-Slavery Day hashtags, suggested content for social media posts, a social media timeline and more information about how you can take part. 

You’re encouraged to post key messages and graphics from the toolkit and photos of your temporary tattoos.

Remember to tag The Salvation Army in your content and use the #WeAreNotForSale hashtag.

If you don't want to wear a tattoo, you can still participate by posting messages and images from the digital toolkit.

3. Attend the Concert to Celebrate Survivors on 16 October

The Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Department is organising a concert to celebrate survivors and raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery.

• Monday 16 October, 6pm
• Regent Hall Salvation Army, 275 Oxford Street, London, W1C 2DJ
• Featuring: Dreams survivors' singing group, Black Voices a cappella quintet and Regent Hall Songsters

4. Write to your MP

In recent months, the UK Government has passed the Illegal Migration Act which severely narrows the support available for people who have experienced modern slavery.

It is more important now than ever that we as a society remain vigilant to the signs of modern slavery often present all around us.

Take a moment to ask your MP to stand by victims of modern slavery, not just on Anti-Slavery Day but all year round.

5. Pray for justice and reconciliation

Prayer is an important part of our Christian response to injustice. In light of God’s love, grace and power, we should also pray for reconciliation: for healing, transformation and restoration.

Seeking justice and reconciliation is a mission priority for The Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland – we believe they are vital activities to achieving our vision of ‘fullness of life for all with Jesus’.

By praying about the issue of modern slavery and human trafficking, we can make space for God to challenge us and guide our response.

6. Volunteer your time

Join the Army’s team of volunteers who provide direct support to survivors of modern slavery.

Volunteering opportunities include:

• Driving survivors to safety;
• Offering compassionate support to survivors as they tell their story to help them get the support they need;
• Mentoring survivors as they rebuild their lives.

7. Learn to spot the signs of modern slavery

You could come into contact with a victim of modern slavery without even realising it, but there can be some tell-tale signs to watch out for:

• Do they look uneasy, unkempt or malnourished?
• Do they have untreated injuries?
• Is someone else paying for their travel?
• Is someone else speaking for them?
• Are they picked up from work at unusual times?
• Are they unsure of their own address?

If you suspect someone may be a victim of modern slavery and needs help, phone the 24/7 confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733.

If there is an immediate danger to the suspected victim or if you think that the suspected victim is under 18, inform the police and call 999 as a matter of urgency. 

How colleagues spotted the signs and helped a victim become a survivor

‘W’ came from Romania to Wales and was brought into a family business. The family helped him set up a bank account and said that he could live with them. They took money from him for using the fridge, for boiling the kettle, and he racked up uncontrollable debts. He was in that situation for a few years.

Eventually, he was working in a factory and other employees noticed he would come in wearing sliders for shoes and wasn’t dressed appropriately. Alarm bells rang and he was rescued. The perpetrators were sentenced and convicted.

With support from The Salvation Army, ‘W’ has now relocated and rebuilt his life.

8. Fundraise for our survivor support fund

Join #TeamSallyArmy to fundraise for the Army’s Survivors Support Fund.

Your support will help survivors access essential services that fall outside of the support they are entitled to through the Government contract — you’ll be helping them regain their independence and build a brighter future.

The Community and Events Fundraising Unit have lots of resources and ideas to help you fundraise.