A Key Member of Unchosen Tells Us Why They Are Backing Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign: 38 Degrees
The Finance and Web Communications Head and Trustee of South West anti-human trafficking charity, Unchosen's urges us to sign the 38 Degrees Campaign to stop human trafficking into the UK - by opting into the new EU Directive to stop it in the EU and into it! But why exactly should we add our signatures to this Anti-Slavery International, the Independent on Sunday and ECPAT UK campaign? Read her 'Q & A' Interview!
Why have unchosen lent their support/given their backing to the 38 Degrees campaign?
The 38 Degrees Campaign; Stop Human Trafficking was initiated by Anti-Slavery International in conjunction with ECPAT UK and The Independent on Sunday. The European Union have adopted a new directive aimed at prevention of trafficking into and within the EU, protection of victims of trafficking and conviction of traffickers. Only Denmark and the UK have not yet opted into the Directive.
Unchosen are supporting this campaign as we believe that human trafficking is a global issue and it is vital that countries act together to combat it rather than acting alone.
What do you hope and want unchosen supporters to do? How can they get involved and help make the campaign's aims a reality?
Unchosen want everyone to sign this online petition - and please do it now as it the petition will be handed in to the government in the next couple of weeks. And please spread the word to all your contacts to do the same. Another high profile petition by 38 Degrees - Save Our Forests - attracted massive public support and as we now know, it made a difference.
What are the main campaign aims of unchosen right now?
The aim of Unchosen is now, as it always has been, to raise awareness of human trafficking and to show people how they can get involved in stamping it out.
What are unchosen's immediate plans as a charity?
This year we are very busy planning film campaigns all across the country. The first will be held at Bristol University on 21st and 24th March.
Plans are underway for Manchester and Nottingham in the spring and summer, and in London and again in Bristol and Bath in October. And maybe a few more yet to be confirmed! Keep a watch on our website for the latest updates.
How long have you been working with unchosen? How has your role changed?
For just over a year. My initial role was to update the news page of the website. However my role has developed a lot since then as I was invited to become a Trustee/Director and then co-organiser. I am still involved in editing the website but have taken on many other responsibilities as well.
Please tell us your personal hopes dreams?
I feel very much that I have been 'led' to working with Unchosen. Just over a year ago, I decided it was time to 'do something' . I had not worked since having children and started to look for some part-time admin-type jobs. After a few unsuccessful applications, my husband suggested I looked for some voluntary work to get some experience.
I came across an advert for 'IT support' and then met Trish and the rest, as they say, is history! At the time, I didn't know much about trafficking but have learnt a lot over the past year. There are a lot of problems in the world as we all know - it's easy to feel helpless, that we can't solve them all, and don't know where to start. But we can all do something - and I believe that this is my 'something' or one of them, anyway!
Do you feel that human trafficking is on the increase? Or that uncovering of it is just getting more effective?
Possibly both - human trafficking is by its nature very much a hidden crime so numbers are always difficult to assess. But by making people aware of its existence and how they can take action, it is Unchosen's aim that we can play a part in combating it.