A teenager who was being sold by her own mother is now living far away and in safety thanks to a swift intervention by Hope for Justice’s Midwest Regional Center.
Our investigators at the center, which is based in Iowa but covers a wider geographical region, received a call for assistance from a person living in California, called Emily. We were told that Emily’s much younger sister, Becky*, was being sold by their biological mother for money and drugs. It later transpired that this nightmare for Becky had begun when she was only seven years old.
Emily and Becky are half-sisters, they both share the same mother; however, Emily is now an adult while Becky is still a younger teenager. Emily recently learned what was happening – that her sister was a victim of human trafficking at the hands of their own mother – and immediately called Hope for Justice for help. Emily said she could provide a good home for Becky where she would be safe, and that she would be willing to become Becky’s legal guardian.
After receiving the call, our investigators met with Emily to gather as much information as possible. They realized the urgency of the situation and acted quickly to remove Becky from this situation of abuse. Emily turned this information over to law enforcement in her area and the case was investigated; however, not enough information was developed for the local police department to act immediately.
Instead, Hope for Justice worked with family court and with a private attorney. We also assisted with a forensic interview with Emily, where the information was corroborated and used in the court proceedings. Our team coordinated with Victim Services, who began working with Becky and Emily.
We kept pushing to ensure the guardianship transfer could move forward, while also working with Child Services. With their assistance, and following thorough background checks to ensure Emily was a suitable guardian and was telling the truth, the court was able to change Becky’s last name and award guardianship.
Hope for Justice team leader for the Midwest Region, Senior Investigator David Gonzalez (pictured), said: “We were able to remove Becky from an exploited situation and place her with a family member who can continually provide her much-needed support.”
Becky is now safe with her sister, living far away from the mother. Becky continues to receive victim services and the criminal investigation continues.
The upcoming local elections in the UK are a vital opportunity to advance efforts to rid communities of exploitation.
Modern slavery is happening on our doorsteps, in our towns and villages, and so it’s vital that our response to tackling it is not just national, but also local.
Hope for Justice has extensive experience of working with multi-agency partners to prevent exploitation, safeguard survivors and hold traffickers to account.
So, we want to equip candidates and voters ahead of the local elections on Thursday 2nd May to ensure that modern slavery is kept high on the agenda.
Voters will go to the polls on Thursday 2nd May. Stock image
Hope for Justice’s proven local methods of working
Hope for Justice’s ongoing work to tackle modern slavery has been enhanced through community engagement. By working in partnership with local stakeholders, the charity has improved prevention and identification of survivors.
We have prioritised proactive outreach, which has resulted in identifying survivors and protecting those who are most at risk of exploitation. Our teams also build effective relationships with key local partners which in turn creates pathways into support services for survivors. We are trusted to initiate and lead on strategic developments within the sector, such as modern slavery partnerships.
IMSAs are trained experts who consider a survivor’s social needs and legal rights together.
We work with survivors to help them navigate complex systems, services and legislation at a time when they are most isolated and vulnerable. We help them to overcome barriers and empower them to make informed decisions about their recovery.
We recommend that candidates commit to address modern slavery as a priority for their region; ensure that tackling this issue is part of a strategic plan and that resources are allocated to implement it; and draw from guidance developed by the Local Government Association.
It’s also vital for candidates to advocate for improved resourcing for cross-sector working. This will help multi-agency partnerships between local authorities, health service, law enforcement, civil society and other stakeholders to be effective and sustainable.
Other recommendations include: placing safeguarding and independent advocacy at the heart of the response to modern slavery; and listening to the lived experience of survivors and communities who are at risk of exploitation, in order to develop an informed response.
Use your vote wisely
Councillors make important decisions for the local community, including how the council budget is spent and which services are given priority.
Once elected, councillors will remain in office for four years. They will represent your views for the area you live in.
So, before you go to the poll, be sure to read up on your local candidates and what they stand for. Watch their campaigns, talk to them, and ask them whether they will take a stand against modern slavery.
For more details about the recommendations for candidates or information about Hope for Justice’s work, please contact euan.fraser@hopeforjustice.org.
Sanaa* was trafficked to the UK on the promise of a college course which would enable her to enter her dream career in nursing. She was sent tickets to travel to the UK but when she arrived, she faced unimaginable cruelty at the hands of people she thought she could trust.
Traffickers took Sanaa to a property in the North of England where she was forced to have sex with men. These ‘clients’ paid money directly to her perpetrators.
This sexual exploitation continued for several months.
Sanaa was referred to Hope for Justice in 2020, by an organisation that unites and empowers survivors of modern slavery.
At the time, Sanaa’s living situation in the UK was unstable.
She made an asylum claim based on having “a well-founded fear of persecution” in her home country, in the Caribbean. But this claim was rejected by the Home Office. They made their decision on the grounds that the survivor “had no real risk of suffering serious harm in her home country”, and said “removal from the UK did not breach her right to respect for private and family life.”
Hope for Justice advocates for survivor
Sanaa was assigned an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) at Hope for Justice. Our team referred Sanaa to an immigration solicitor who could appeal the asylum decision.
An IMSA accompanied Sanaa to the appointments relating to her asylum claim. We also provided support around mental health problems that she developed in relation to her immigration status.
Her immigration solicitor challenged the negative decision in early 2021. One year and 10 months later, the survivor received a decision that her appeal had been allowed.
Sanaa won her appeal before the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) on the grounds of human rights. She has been granted Discretionary Leave to Remain and permission to stay in the UK until 2025.
Sanaa’s situation has finally stabilised.
Our IMSA said: “This survivor is incredibly independent and is doing her utmost to make the best of her situation, despite facing setbacks such as being refused asylum here in the UK. This is something she should have had immediate access to given the cruel and heartless exploitation that she faced.”
Finding a place to live
Sanaa has moved into a new flat, after our IMSA referred her to a charity who provide advice and support to asylum seekers. We provided evidence to show that Sanaa was homeless; on being granted Discretionary Leave to Remain, she had to move out of asylum accommodation, and was living in a hotel. We also advocated on her behalf with the local authority, providing evidence around her exploitation and mental health.
Hope for the future
Sanaa has completed several short college courses. She is working part-time at a charity shop, and due to her trafficking, now hopes to one day become a support worker for survivors of modern slavery.
Being in employment has helped in Sanaa’s recovery journey. “Getting a job and being able to work has helped build my confidence,” she said. “I have been very happy with Hope for Justice’s support. Without it, things could have turned out differently for me. I didn’t know who to turn to for help (with my immigration case when I got a negative decision). My IMSA attended all the appointments with the new solicitors and was there to support me. I know that Hope for Justice helps a lot of people. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
Her message to other survivors was this: “Don’t give up, keep looking until you find the right support. When you find help, make sure they are legitimate, they have the relevant knowledge and expertise. Have faith, even if you get a negative decision from the Home Office.”
A young survivor of modern slavery who was trafficked to the UK as a teenager has finally received his refugee status. It follows a cruel four-and-a-half year wait. Jin* was ‘left in limbo’, unable to work or move forward with his life, and not able to safely return to his birth country.
Jin was trafficked to the UK when he was just 15 years old. He was lured from his home in East Asia. Traffickers forced him to travel illegally through several countries and via various modes of transport. He was then exploited for criminal purposes.
It was the police who identified Jin as a potential victim of modern slavery. They referred him to children’s services and he entered the National Referral Mechanism – the UK Government’s formal process for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery.
He was then referred to the Child Trafficking Guardianship service where he received one-to-one support and advocacy. It was at this point that Jin first made an asylum claim.
Lunar House, Croydon, is one of the Home Office’s immigration reporting centres. Google Maps image
Our team advocated for Jin to be moved into a safe house but this was initially denied, so Hope for Justice supported a public law challenge. This succeeded, and secured for Jin a safe and stable place to live in a safe house.
It wasn’t until Jin turned 21 that he received his asylum decision – almost five years after his initial claim.
One of our Independent Modern Slavery Advocates (IMSAs), who has worked closely with the survivor, said: “The unnecessary long wait for a decision occurred over the formative years of this young adult’s life – a time when he should have been exploring career options and increasing in independence. Instead, the survivor was left in a state of limbo. Not only was he exploited at the hands of criminals, but he was then made to wait years for a decision on whether he could remain in the country.
“The survivor is very intelligent and was determined to move forward with his life, but he was prevented from doing so because he did not have the right to work or access to independent housing. He was left in an insecure, unstable situation. His life was put on hold.”
And, according to Home Office data, the total number of people awaiting an asylum decision more than doubled between 2020 and 2022, from 70,000 to 166,300.
In June 2023, The Guardian reported on the “devastating effects” that Home Office delays were having on children seeking asylum.
Jin told us: “I felt very bored and disappointed while I waited for a decision. I had had many plans that I could not do. I think others would feel similar, but everyone would have a different way of thinking or feeling. When I was granted status, I felt happy. I was able to live, work, and my plans could then go ahead.”
During Jin’s wait for an answer to his claim, Hope for Justice wrote supporting letters for his solicitor, attended immigration appointments with the survivor, provided specialist information relating to his trafficking and requested regular updates from the solicitor to keep the survivor informed.
Our team also helped Jin to access an English course to develop his language skills. Additionally, Hope for Justice commissioned some counselling for the survivor. Jin also took up a voluntary position with an employer to enhance his skills.
Stability and safety
When he finally received his refugee status, Jin immediately started in a new job and was able to secure himself independent accommodation.
Our IMSA said: “This was truly wonderful news for the survivor and a huge step in enabling him to progress. But it is so incredibly unfair and unjust that a decision on his asylum claim was so prolonged. We want to see this situation improved for survivors of modern slavery. Having exited exploitation, they need stability and safety, but they are being condemned to years of uncertainty and further challenge.”
Now that the survivor has been granted refugee status, he has permission to stay in the UK for at least five years. After this time, he will be able to apply to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain).
Public sector professionals and members of the voluntary and community sector in the UK are invited to attend Hope for Justice’s upcoming training events.
This training will focus on Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Exploitation, with a specific emphasis on Trauma-informed Early Response.
The course is discounted to £5 (usually priced at £30) and will be delivered by Hope for Justice, a leading anti-slavery charity, who share their experience through accredited training. The training is designed for statutory frontline workers and those who work in the community supporting those in vulnerable circumstances.
This course is extremely valuable – please share this event information with any other relevant colleagues or partners. You can register directly by selecting your preferred date via the links below:
Learn skills focused on early trauma-informed response
Receive 2 hours of online learning modules for free
Course discounted to £5 (down from £30)
Who is this training for?
The sessions are for first responders, professionals and those supporting first responders who may come into contact with potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. If you work in any of the following areas, the course will be suitable for you to attend:
First responders
Police
Safeguarding
Council: Trading Standards, Environmental Health, Licensing, Housing, Social Care, Commissioning, Mental Health, Planning Enforcement, Education, Asylum and Refugee Services, Waste Refuse Teams, Library Services, Customer Service
Health Service
Probation
Fire & Rescue
Education
NGOs focused on vulnerabilities
How long are the training sessions?
60 minutes eLearning and pre-session modules
90 minutes live lunchtime/evening highly interactive session with a three-stage case study
30 minutes post online learning modules
How is the training delivered?
Your learning starts by completing the eLearning and selected modules about the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and the principles of a trauma-informed response. If you wish to receive CPD accreditation for this course, all the pre-elements are required.
This prepares you to engage effectively in the 90-minute live session where a staged case study of a potential victim explores how you respond. This enhances your trauma-informed response skills in the context of legislative measures, such as the NRM. The learning emphasis is on trauma-informed response.
Further learning is offered where there is 30 minutes of online training resources to complete your learning that matches your training needs. These include FAQs, legislation overview and procedures.
What level of training is this?
The training is accredited by CPD UK Accreditation. Those who have opted to evidence this are required to complete a pre- and post-evaluation and attain a pass mark. The pre-evaluation must be completed before the session starts. Those who are successful may request certification for 3 CPD UK points. This requires consent for your email to participate, given at the point of booking.
What else is provided for the delegate?
In your learning account you have access to all that you need for the training and you can download these resources in preparation for the class. You may wish to print off the resources or have them open on another screen but please be aware that if you use your phone the documents will likely be difficult to view. You should have the following downloadable documents for your class:
Responding to Modern Slavery booklet (CPD Certified) – Currently under review due to UK Government legislative changes in 2023
Three-stage case study
Learning Resource Library
Multilingual posters
MSHT self-identifying flyers
Who delivers the training?
The virtual classroom training is delivered by a trainer who is a subject matter specialist. The trainer draws from the experience of working with victims of modern slavery within Hope for Justice and their experience supporting victims out of exploitation.
What is the training style?
This training combines online modules either side of a live session. The live training utilises Mentimeter, a collective interactive learning tool to stimulate group discussions using a staged case study.
We would encourage you and your team to book on as soon as possible.
When does the training take place?
The course, Modern Slavery Awareness: Professional Learning Pathway – For professionals, is a tailored learning pathway where the live session (90 minutes) hones trauma-informed response skills. Either side of the live session will be supportive learning through our Hope for Justice Learning Academy (50 spaces per session). You can register by selecting your preferred date via the links below:
Included within the Professional Learning Pathway training is some prerequisite eLearning which will provide Modern Slavery Awareness foundation knowledge.
Testimonials from people who have attended this training – what did they like most?
“Love the use of Mentimeter and the word charts, useful for engagement and remembering the training.”
“So important to recognise the complex stories, and trauma involved.”
“Enjoyed the interaction and seeing other people’s views.”
“Great to have such an interactive session.”
“Alister was very knowledgeable on the subject, and it was at a great pace. A very thought-provoking, eye-opening course, very relevant for my role.”
Cancellation Policy: Should a delegate withdraw from the training, there is a no refund policy, dependent on the ability to fill the space with a waiting list candidate and the reason for the withdrawal. If a cancellation is received with less than 48 hours notice, or the delegate fails to attend the training, there is no refund.
PLEASE NOTE: This story contains some distressing images.
A brave seven-year-old boy has made “remarkable progress” in his recovery after being burned by his father. The boy, here named Rajab* to protect his identity, was rescued from this horrifying situation of child abuse by the police, who referred him to Hope for Justice.
Rajab was burned on both hands and legs after being accused of theft. He told us that because he was very hungry, he took some money from his father’s pocket and used it to buy food.
To punish him, his father burned him. Neighbours heard his screams and alerted the police. This cruel form of punishment was a violation of Rajab’s human rights. Sadly, abuse such as this is not uncommon in Uganda.
Rajab’s teacher describes the torture that his young pupil experienced as his “darkest hour”.
When he arrived at our Lighthouse – a safe haven for children who have been or who are at risk of exploitation – he was dirty, impoverished and had bandaged, swollen hands. The severe burns made it impossible for him to carry out daily tasks, such as getting dressed, having a wash and cleaning his personal belongings.
A member of staff at the Lighthouse said: “Rajab’s life changed significantly when he came to Hope for Justice. He had been rescued from the terrible reality of child abuse, which left him at risk of physical harm. Rajab found solace and support at the Lighthouse, where we daily dressed his wounds, provided trauma-informed cognitive behavioural therapy, love, and a safe haven.”
Nurses at our Lighthouse and residential social workers have monitored Rajab closely and worked to improve his physical and emotional wellbeing. The survivor’s wounds, bruises to his body and pain have all been treated and he is now recovering well.
A member of our team said: “During his time at the Lighthouse, Rajab has made remarkable progress in his recovery. Through the dedicated efforts of the Lighthouse team, and the child’s own resilience, he has regained the ability to perform daily activities.”
Rajab can now participate in various Lighthouse activities. He is able to attend catch-up classes, engage in life skills sessions, and carry out domestic chores like cleaning. He can draw again, and he also enjoys playing football and bingo, among other activities, with his peers. The progress of this young boy is testament to the impact of comprehensive care and support as well as his determination and strength.
His teacher added: “This young child’s story is an inspiring example of resilience and hope, highlighting the transformative power of dedicated intervention and nurturing support. The collaborative efforts of the community, police and Hope for Justice have played a pivotal role in the boy’s remarkable recovery, demonstrating the potential for positive outcomes in the lives of survivors who have endured trauma and abuse.”
Slavery still exists. It hasn’t gone away; it has just evolved. New global estimates show that forced labour – a form of modern slavery – is generating £185bn in profits. This illegal money is going to traffickers, people who are exploiting and controlling other human beings for their own gain.
Below we tell the story of a survivor of human trafficking who is only able to tell his story now because he took the brave decision to escape out of a window, before Hope for Justice and other organisations managed to get involved to help him.
Viktor* was one of five people being held against their will at a property in West Yorkshire, UK. He was forced to work multiple jobs, at a car wash and in factories. He worked for long hours, but received only £5-10 for an entire week for his labour. The traffickers pocketed his wages.
Viktor was emotional as he described how he was treated. He told our team:
“I felt like I was a slave. There was no respect for us, no mercy. They humiliated us. They were cruel and expected us to work and do everything they wanted, while they were laughing at us and having fun.”
Viktor*, a survivor of human trafficking
Taking away a person’s right to freedom
When a person is being controlled by another, their human rights and freedoms are often restricted. Control can be physical, financial or psychological, or any combination of these.
In UK law, Article 4 of The Human Rights Act 1998 protects a person’s right not to be held in slavery or servitude, or made to do forced or compulsory labour.
In reality, though, we know that this ‘absolute’ right to be protected against slavery and servitude does not prevent it from happening.
There are now more than 27 million people around the world trapped in forms of modern slavery like forced labour and forced sexual exploitation, and another 22 million in forced marriages – just under 50 million overall.
The UN agency’s new estimates show a 37% rise since 2014 when the last set of figures were released.
The ILO said this is “a dramatic increase that has been fuelled by both a growth in the number of people forced into labour, as well as higher profits generated from the exploitation of victims”.
How Hope for Justice got involved in Viktor’s case
This cruel misuse of power was at play in Viktor’s case. He was initially exploited for forced labour and later held in domestic servitude after multiple injuries prevented him from working. Viktor was controlled by traffickers for more than four years, as they took his earnings for themselves. He worked to feed their greed.
Our team first met Viktor in a hospital bed where he lay with serious injuries suffered at the hands of the traffickers. He had been found on the street, malnourished and bearing physical wounds because of the abuse. Hospital staff identified that he was a potential victim of human trafficking and raised the red flag. Viktor was referred to Hope for Justice by the local NHS Community Healthcare Trust.
One of our Independent Modern Slavery Advocates (IMSAs), who has worked alongside Viktor, said: “This case shows how vital it is for frontline workers, such as NHS staff, to be trained to spot the signs of modern slavery. The survivor agreed to speak with Hope for Justice and our team arranged to visit him to provide advice and support. Viktor was in a very delicate state medically, awaiting life-changing surgery. He was experiencing a lot of pain and on antibiotics. He was very emotional and traumatised by the exploitation.”
Viktor’s story
Viktor was trafficked from the Czech Republic to the UK on the promise of a well-paid job and accommodation. His travel would be paid for. He was told not to worry about anything. But when he arrived in the UK, these dreams quickly faded. Viktor was handed over to another trafficker, who took his ID documents away from him. He was then taken to a house where he lived with approximately 10 people. Viktor was put in a room with five others and forced to sleep on the floor, without even a mattress, just a yoga mat and blanket.
Viktor worked long hours. His movements were controlled and monitored by the traffickers. If he refused to work and do what he was told, he was threatened and beaten, which left him with several bruises and scars.
Our IMSA said: “Viktor felt like he was in an impossible situation where he had no chance to leave. As a result of the exploitation and due to a lack of appropriate protective equipment at work, Viktor sustained serious injuries that prevented him from working. Following this, the traffickers forced him to do all their housework, such as cleaning and cooking. He did this every day for no pay. Until one night he found courage and escaped through a window.”
Multi-agency approach
Hope for Justice worked alongside Viktor, hospital staff and other professionals to address his immediate needs and provide essentials such as clothing, food and a SIM card so he was contactable.
The survivor agreed to enter the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) – the UK Government’s process for formally identifying and supporting potential victims of modern slavery – and to report his experiences to the police.
As a ‘first responder’, West Yorkshire Police made the NRM referral for the survivor, which would give him access to support such as counselling, legal advice and housing.
Police, stock image
Hope for Justice supported the NRM referral, gathered information and evidence, and worked across agencies to ensure the survivor’s short- and long-term security and safety.
Viktor received a positive ‘reasonable grounds’ decision via the NRM, which means there were reasonable grounds to believe he was a victim of modern slavery. Hope for Justice then advocated for the survivor to be contacted by The Salvation Army so that support could be initiated.
After several weeks, Viktor was finally given access to outreach support, a support worker and in receipt of subsistence pay. He has since received a back-pay in subsistence from The Salvation Army for the delay he experienced.
Our team has also gathered additional information to support the survivor’s case for a ‘conclusive grounds’ NRM decision.
Empowering survivors
A member of our team who has been working alongside Viktor said: “This was a very complex case where police initially failed to identify the survivor as a victim of human trafficking and where the local authority refused to provide any support due to the survivor’s immigration status and him having ‘no recourse to public funds’, as it is called.
“The survivor was disregarded. He had slipped through the system and was left without support. However, our team believed Viktor’s story, we advocated for his rights and entitlements as a survivor of trafficking, and we supported him throughout the whole process until he finally received support.
“Viktor has been through the most horrific trafficking experiences, which left him facing life-changing physical and psychological trauma and complex needs. But his story shows that when an organisation like Hope for Justice intervenes, empowers survivors to have a voice and helps them to access the right support, victims can have their freedom again, have the chance to begin a journey of recovery and ultimately have their lives restored. They are given hope for the future – something every person deserves.
“This survivor’s story is powerful and unique. I chose his pseudonym name Viktor (which means ‘conqueror’ or ‘winner’, ‘victory over death’), because I believe it reflects his journey. I hope that by sharing his story we will encourage people to act and to support the incredible mission of ending slavery.”
The survivor told our team: “Thank you very much for all your help, I appreciate it so much. I am better now, and I look forward to the future and the worst being behind.”
The annual global profits from forced labour and forced sexual exploitation have risen to an estimated $236 billion (£185 billion), according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report.
The ‘alarming’ new estimates show a 37% rise since 2014, when the last set of figures were released. The ILO’s research reinforces Hope for Justice’s own estimate, published last summer. Our team calculated that modern slavery and human trafficking were making over $245 billion for criminals every year, very similar to the new ILO research.
“What the study reveals is alarming. Total illegal profits from forced labour are not only extremely high but appear to have risen dramatically over the last decade, […] fuelled by both a growth in the number of people forced into labour, as well as higher profits generated from the exploitation of victims.”
International Labour Organization
A total of 27.6 million people were trapped in forced labour and forced sexual exploitation on any given day in 2021, according to the report. The profits generated by sexual exploitation accounted for more than two-thirds (73%) of the total illegal profits covered by the report, which said: “The high profits per victim of forced commercial sexual exploitation are a reflection of the extremely limited share of earnings trickling down to the victims, the vast majority of whom are women and girls.”
Hope for Justice knows from its own work with survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking that victims are often paid very little, or indeed nothing at all. In some instances, their wages are taken from them, and they are held in debt bondage to their trafficker.
Traffickers and criminals are making an average of $10,000 per victim, the ILO said, though the figures are much higher for those in forced commercial sexual exploitation (an average of $27,250 per victim, globally). With 1.3 million children in commercial sexual exploitation, and another 1.68 million in forms of forced labour, the total profits made by the criminals from child victims can be estimated at $41.9 billion: $35.6 billion from sex trafficking, and $6.2 billion from forced labour.
Among all people, adults and children, the sheer numbers of people affected mean that forced labour in industry is making perpetrators the most money annually ($35 billion), followed by forced labour within the service sector ($20.8 billion), agriculture ($5 billion) and domestic work ($2.6 billion).
Geographically, the highest profits from forced labour were Europe and Central Asia ($84 billion), followed by Asia and the Pacific ($62 billion), the Americas ($52 billion), Africa ($20 billion) and then the Arab States ($18 billion).
Gilbert Houngbo, the director-general of the ILO, said: “People in forced labour are subject to multiple forms of coercion, the deliberate and systematic withholding of wages being amongst the most common. Forced labour perpetuates cycles of poverty and exploitation and strikes at the heart of human dignity. We now know that the situation has only got worse. The international community must urgently come together to take action to end this injustice, safeguard workers’ rights, and uphold the principles of fairness and equality for all.”
We eat chocolate for comfort, celebration, and indulgence. Yet without understanding the story behind your purchases, you could be unintentionally fuelling an industry that relies upon exploitation to bring these items to market.
Cocoa is the key ingredient in chocolate, but what is really going on with the sourcing of cocoa? In the production lines of some chocolates, there has been evidence of the use of child labour in cocoa farming. This child labour usually exists due to extreme poverty where families need their children to work to survive. This extreme poverty can be linked to the low prices that the chocolate industry places on cocoa.
So what can you do about it?
Now it’s even easier to be commercially aware, as the 5th edition of the Chocolate Scorecard is live!
Hope for Justice is an NGO Partner of BeSlaveryFree Australia, who surveyed the world’s biggest chocolate companies and retailers to create the Chocolate Scorecard, which illustrates how ethical their supply chains are.
“Consumer awareness and demand for ‘better’ chocolate is driving positive change in the industry. By educating ourselves about what goes into our chocolate and how ‘good’ a company is about ensuring ethical and sustainable production, we can make smarter purchasing choices and influence the market”.
The Chocolate Scorecard initiative, coordinated by BeSlaveryFree in collaboration with various stakeholders, aims to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible practices within the industry. By evaluating companies on social and environmental criteria, the Chocolate Scorecard provides valuable information for consumers to make ethical purchasing decisions and incentivizes companies to improve their performance in these areas.
Key Updates in the 5th Edition of the Chocolate Scorecard:
Child Labour:
100% of companies have a policy for monitoring, reducing, or eliminating child labour but only an average of around 55% of the supply chain is being covered by a program.
68% of respondents have evidence that these programs or schemes are reducing the prevalence of child labour – but verification is often lacking.
Reported cases of the worst forms of child labour are now at 26% of estimated children in hazardous (worst forms) labour by the US Department of Labor NORC Report .
70% of respondent companies have a policy to monitor, reduce or eliminate the exposure of children to pesticides in their supply chains.
70% of respondent companies have a policy or action plan that takes gender into account.
Child labour responses are increasing in effectiveness but the road to elimination is still fraught mainly due to the lack of scale of programs. Child labour interventions need to be scaled up and to eradicate it in all supply chains, there needs to be traceability and a focus on addressing the root causes such as poverty that lead to its prevalence.
It is positive to see that all companies have policies in place to address child labour, although the percentage of the supply chain covered by these programs still needs improvement. The fact that nearly 70% of companies have evidence that their programs are reducing the prevalence of child labour is promising, however, verification processes need to be strengthened to ensure accurate reporting.
It is concerning that reported cases of the worst forms of child labour remain high. Efforts to address these situations must be intensified, however, the research behind the scorecard shows that this increase is due to the increased efforts of more effective interventions like the International Cocoa Initiative’s Child Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS) which is making companies more aware of worst forms of child labour and pushes the need to scale and persist with such measures.
Addressing child labour and ensuring the safe use of pesticides in the supply chain are important steps in promoting ethical and sustainable practices.
Considering gender in policies and action plans demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the industry and will have ongoing positive effects on child labour rates. Scaling up of monitoring, evaluation, and collaboration among stakeholders will be key in driving progress and ensuring a fair and safe working environment for all individuals involved in cocoa production in the chocolate supply chain.
Forced Labour and Living Wage:
18% of respondent companies found and successfully remediated cases of forced labour and human trafficking in the past 12 months – a great increase in transparency and action.
Companies are increasingly aware of their responsibility to ensure farmers get a decent income from cocoa, but still too many farmers remain in poverty. Without additional financial support, this will continue. Learn more about how low living wages can influence trafficking vulnerability.
Traceability has increased but still about 50% of supply chain is indirect (not traced).
52 of the 63 companies that responded state that a living income is a basic human right. This is 83% of all companies surveyed. For big companies this was 76%, for small companies it was 89% and for retailers it was 94%.
6 companies are paying 100% of their farmers a Living Income Reference Price.
Companies that have successfully identified and remediated cases of forced labour and human trafficking should serve as examples for others to follow. Transparency and action are crucial in combating these serious issues. Governments, NGOs, companies and consumers must work together to ensure that farmers are supported in meeting the necessary requirements for EUDR compliance and are compensated fairly for their efforts.
Ultimately, achieving fair compensation for farmers and enabling them to attain a living income and decent standard of living will require a collective effort and commitment from all stakeholders.
It will take a concerted effort from all stakeholders to achieve these goals, but the future of the industry and the planet depends on it. The chocolate industry has the resources to address these challenges. Consumption of chocolate is around 1 kg for each person on the planet yearly – that is 7.7 billion people, so around 7.7 billion kg. Forecasted revenue growth in the chocolate industry stands at 5.6%, surpassing global economic growth estimates of 2.6%. In 2024, it is expected to generate around US$254 billion.
The chocolate industry is undergoing significant change, but certain aspects, such as farmer poverty, remain unchanged despite being a longstanding issue. It is essential that the chocolate industry continues to prioritise sustainability, fair labour practices, and environmental conservation. This includes ensuring fair compensation for farmers, promoting responsible sourcing practices, reducing pesticide use, safeguarding children, removing any forced labour and avoiding deforestation.
Companies that have policies in place must effectively implement and monitor them to ensure compliance throughout their entire supply chain. Transparency, accountability, and continuous improvements are key in ensuring that cocoa production is environmentally responsible and contributes to a more sustainable and ethical industry.
“This scorecard empowers consumers so they can choose to buy ethically and to make a contribution to fighting child exploitation. One more reason to feel good about eating chocolate!”
Patrick Proctor, Head of Programmes at Hope for Justice
Initiatives like the Chocolate Scorecard play a crucial role in fostering transparency and accountability. Continued collaboration and engagement across stakeholders will be vital in driving progress towards a more sustainable and ethical chocolate industry.
Learn more about how you as a consumer, can purchase your chocolate more ethically and sustainable. Explore the new Chocolate Scorecard at: www.chocolatescorecard.com
“Arise, fellow Ugandans. Fight child abuse.” These are the powerful and rallying words of a 13-year-old boy who was physically abused by his father.
Speaking from his experiences, the young teenager has written a poem that calls on people to “say no to defilement, rape and child labour”.
Simba*, the author of the poem, was just two years old when his mother died. He was raised by his stepmother and biological father. But his father abused him physically and emotionally.
In an incredibly moving interview, he told our team:
“If wishes came true, I would finish my education, and protect all children in the world from abuse, but my family is poor.”
Traumatised by abuse, and scarred by grief, Simba ran away from his family home in Uganda – choosing instead to live on the streets.
His poem highlights the ways he has been tormented and “tortured” by the abuse he experienced. And how these experiences left him vulnerable to trafficking. He describes how he was “neglected”, “denied food, clothes, shelter, safe water and education”, and asks the question for other children experiencing abuse, “For how long will this be”?
Most children in Uganda have experienced some form of violence or abuse. According to UNICEF, 59 per cent of girls and 68 per cent of boys have been subjected to physical violence.
At a turning point in the poem, Simba references Hope for Justice’s work to fight against child labour, to involve the police and law enforcement so that criminals are brought to justice, to safeguard children who are at risk of trafficking, and to support and care for children who have been exploited.
Simba calls on his fellow Ugandans to “arise [and] fight child abuse” and states his belief that “together we shall have a bright future”.
Hope for Justice firmly believes that it is only when we work together that our vision to live in a world free from slavery will become a reality.
Thankfully Simba was rescued by police last summer and was referred to one of Hope for Justice’s Lighthouses – safe havens for children who have been exploited, or who are at risk of exploitation.
When he entered our care, he was found to have a myriad of complex needs, including a diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder (when neglect or abuse prevents children from forming healthy emotional bonds), depression and bereavement.
Whilst staying at the Lighthouse, Simba has had access to holistic care. This has included psychological and psychiatric support, trauma therapy, education on child protection, and life skills coaching. Simba crafted his poem during a recent lesson at the Lighthouse.
He said: “If people out there get the chance to read and listen to my poem, they will say: this is real, children go through this; it is teaching us how to take care of children’s rights (not violating them), that every parent should play their role in looking after their children, and that children are helpful at home and should be treated with care.”
Simba dreams of one day entering the medical profession and becoming a doctor.
One of the teachers at the Lighthouse told us that Simba is performing extremely well in classes at the Lighthouse. He likes writing stories about his past and reading novels as these help him to discover more about the things happening in the world.
His teacher said: “This young boy has a very bright future in formal education if he is helped to achieve his goal. Today, Simba stands tall, armed with the tools of literacy and the strength of his spirit. His journey is a reminder that no darkness is insurmountable, and every individual deserves the chance to shine. With his newfound skills, Simba is determined to rewrite his own narratives and build a future filled with endless possibilities.”
*Name changed to protect identity of survivor
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Hope for Justice team leader for the Midwest Region, Senior Investigator David Gonzalez (pictured), said: “We were able to remove Becky from an exploited situation and place her with a family member who can continually provide her much-needed support.”
Hope for Justice has drawn up a number of 
The training is accredited by CPD UK Accreditation. Those who have opted to evidence this are required to complete a pre- and post-evaluation and attain a pass mark. The pre-evaluation must be completed before the session starts. Those who are successful may request certification for 3 CPD UK points. This requires consent for your email to participate, given at the point of booking.
To punish him, his father burned him. Neighbours heard his screams and alerted the police. This cruel form of punishment was a violation of Rajab’s human rights. Sadly, abuse such as this is not uncommon in Uganda. 
A member of our team said: “During his time at the Lighthouse, Rajab has made remarkable progress in his recovery. Through the dedicated efforts of the Lighthouse team, and the child’s own resilience, he has regained the ability to perform daily activities.”
His poem highlights the ways he has been tormented and “tortured” by the abuse he experienced. And how these experiences left him vulnerable to trafficking. He describes how he was “neglected”, “denied food, clothes, shelter, safe water and education”, and asks the question for other children experiencing abuse, “For how long will this be”?
