Theresa May MP speaks at Modern Slavery Summit co-hosted by Elmore

On behalf of the Oxfordshire Anti-Slavery Network - a grouping of Oxfordshire agencies working to end modern slavery in the county - Oxford City Council and Elmore Community Services have chaired a discussion to consider the findings and recommendations of a ground-breaking modern slavery report. The Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 2016 and 2019, who oversaw the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to tackle slavery and trafficking, spoke to delegates by video message.

Below is the transcription of Theresa May’s speech to delegates:

Hello, thank you for inviting me to the Oxfordshire Anti-Slavery Forum.

I am sorry not to be with you in person but I stand in support of your vision to support victims of modern slavery.

I have had the pleasure of working with some of the contributors to this event and I am excited to see what the outcome of this forum will be.

Modern slavery is the greatest human rights issue of our time.

And as Home Secretary, I was proud to introduce the Modern Slavery Act to bring offences into one law, create new duties and powers to protect victims and prosecute offenders, and also creating the role of anti-slavery commissioner to oversee all this work.

As Prime Minister, I sought to continue this work by highlighting that more than 10,000 people in the UK estimated to be living in domestic servitude, labour exploitation, or having been trafficked for sex.

The Modern Slavery Act has delivered enhanced protection and support for victims, and a transparency requirement on businesses to show that modern slavery is not taking place in their companies or their supply chains. Policies which have subsequently been adopted by other nations.

In 2015 we saw a 40% rise in the number of victims identified by the State. This progress is important and equates to hundreds of men, women and children who are no longer trapped in slavery.

However, we know that reported modern slavery figures are the tip of the iceberg, which is why I welcome the work being done by Elmore and the other guests and contributors to strengthen the support for victims of modern slavery.

I agree that prevention and support services are crucial to support victims. One of key trends to identify victims of modern slavery is through training and education. Educating students of all ages how to spot the signs of modern slavery will help shine a brighter light on this evil.

It is essential that once victims have been identified there needs to be a holistic response. A temporary roof over their head is not enough. We need to provide mental health support, medical provision, interpretation support, long-term housing and long-term engagement with the victim to give them the best possible chance of recovery.

I commend the challenging work being done by statutory and third sector organisations in Oxford and across the country, protecting those at risk of modern slavery and supporting survivors.

I wish you all the very best and I hope that this forum will be a catalyst for positive change within Oxfordshire.