Responding to the findings of today’s Effectiveness of anti-slavery training and survivor care pathway (available here) Final Evaluation Report, published by the Welsh Government, Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Communities, Mark Isherwood AM, said:
“Slavery is an enduring problem for communities across Wales, and while the report offers some encouragement it also highlights a number of failings which currently hinders efforts to help stamp these heinous practices out completely.
“The main issues identified in the delivery of anti-slavery training is that capacity cannot in its current state meet demand. There are too few trainers currently engaged with this initiative and provision across Wales’ regions is patchy.
“For instance, there are no trainers for Child Sexual Exploitation courses in North Wales, which does not bode well for vulnerable children in this area.
“The report also makes plain the need for a full-time paid anti-slavery training leader who can properly commit themselves to driving forward this significant initiative.
“The Welsh Government must do all it can to deliver Wales from the evils of slavery.
“Training schemes have a vital role to play in helping to ensure that people do not fall in the same trap as Michael Hughes and Darrell Simester, who between them spent decades in forced labour – whose plights were unknown to police or their families. These schemes are also crucial in the fight against international trafficking.
“I call on the First Minister to give serious consideration to providing funding for a full-time anti-slavery training leader who can work closely with the UK Government’s newly launched modern slavery task force.
“Co-operation at between governments at both ends of the M4 will ensure a joined-up approach to tackling a complex and insidious problem which is a stain on our country’s democracy.”
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