We were recently asked to contribute a chapter to a book by modern slavery academic Kevin Bales (Professor of Contemporary Slavery at the Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation UK). The publication will be provided free to frontline workers and anti trafficking workers across the world. The chapter focuses on bad habits of organisations, the care of workers, the ability to critique practices and embrace change. All too often in counter trafficking we apply the word ‘movement’ to ourselves or to the collective efforts of those working on this issue. Such terms are premature and our true impact difficult to measure when the business of buying and selling people remains largely unaffected. The term ‘movement’ is best left to those who will reflect on our time in history, and will be applied if they feel our contribution and the change brought is worthy of remembrance and has something to tell future generations.
