SURVIVORS of modern slavery have been welcomed to Parliament by a Barnsley MP.
Stephanie Peacock hosted the visit as part of an event she spearheaded to support those affected by the practice.
The Barnsley East MP welcomed staff of Northern College and survivors from their ‘Free Thinking’ programme, which offers those freed from modern slavery a chance to get back into normal life.
Across the globe, around 40m people are trapped in modern slavery, and it’s estimated there are tens of thousands afflicted by the practice.
Modern slavery in the UK takes a number of forms, from forced and bonded labour, human trafficking, forced and child marriages, sexual exploitation, and forced criminal activity.
In response, Barnsley’s Northern College established a ‘Free Thinking’ programme.
Following an initial 14-week programme, the college helped 14 survivors with lessons in English, maths, IT and languages, a hand in developing functional skills to prepare them for living and working, and rebuilding confidence after time in slavery.
Ms Peacock hosted local staff from the course and survivors who have benefited from it, as part of her parliamentary event.
Attended by MPs from parties across the House of Commons, Ms Peacock’s meeting discussed how parliamentarians can work to support the work of initiatives like Northern College’s course, and gave those affected a voice in the heart of government.
She said: “Modern slavery is an appalling practice in which people in the UK and Barnsley are forced into a life not just without pay, but without freedom.
“I’m proud of the efforts of Barnsley’s Northern College in addressing this issue, and providing an innovative blueprint for how to fully support survivors of modern slavery right across the country.
“Welcoming members of staff of this local institution and survivors themselves to Parliament was a vital way of giving them a chance to discuss their experiences with parliamentarians of all parties, and have their voices heard here in Westminster.”
