Hestia has today released a comprehensive report revealing the concerning prevalence and evolving nature of modern slavery across the UK, titled ‘On our streets: The changing face of modern slavery in London’.

As a constituent, your views are important to your Member of Parliament. Writing to your MP is a useful way to ensure that they are aware of your concerns and can take action to tackle modern slavery. You can do this by email or by letter.

Step 1. Use the template below to compose your email or letter.

Step 2. If you would like to, you can personalise it with your own opinion or evidence – talking about your local area is especially helpful, as it’s where your MP’s main interests lie.

Step 3. Find your MP’s contact details by entering your postcode and then email or post your letter. Their biography page will also tell you how the MP should be addressed including any official titles.

Thank you for your support for survivors of modern slavery.

Template:

Dear NAME MP,

Modern slavery is taking place in our community – lets bring an end to this crime

As a resident of CONSTITUENCY, I was concerned to read a new report revealing the prevalence and evolving nature of modern slavery across our community and beyond.

‘On our streets: The changing face of modern slavery’ reveals the stark realities of this crime, which is happening in every borough of London and beyond. And yet, fewer than one in five of the public say they would know how to spot someone experiencing modern slavery.  The report also found that this is an issue that matters to constituents - 81% of the public agree that the UK Government should be doing more deter traffickers.

A minority of MPs surveyed believed that legislation passed by the previous Government, will significantly reduce modern slavery in the UK (31%) or deter traffickers (41%).

Only through increased awareness, comprehensive legislation, and coordinated community efforts can modern slavery be effectively challenged in the UK.

As a result of this report, I am supporting Hestia’s calls for the following solutions:

1. The Government must leverage the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill to address modern slavery and support victim-survivors, in order to align with public sentiment for stronger support for those exploited in the UK.
2. There must be a comprehensive review of the system for providing long-term support for victims, with the aim of helping victims to move towards recovery and enabling them to support prosecutions for the perpetrators.
3. Policymakers should commit to increased training to increase their understanding of the changing faces of modern slavery and prioritise actions to raise public awareness on identifying the signs of modern slavery.

This is not just an international issue; it is happening in the UK and should be addressed by this Government. As my local MP, I wanted to bring this crucial issue to your attention and ask whether you would be willing to raise this in the House. We must prevent this crime from continuing in our communities and on our streets. I look forward to your response.

Kind regards,

YOUR NAME