Modern day slavery


More than 200 years after the abolition of the slave trade there are still an estimated 40.3 million men, women and children trapped in modern slavery, and up to 136,000 potential victims in the UK alone.

The Clewer Initiative is enabling the Church of England and wider Church networks to develop strategies to detect modern slavery in their communities and help provide victim support and care, as we strive towards our common goal: a world without slavery.

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Farm Work Welfare App

Every year, vulnerable and migrant seasonal workers are targeted and exploited by highly organised criminal gangs. The Farm Work Welfare App is easy to download and use and has been designed to support both employers and workers. To help support migrant workers the content has been translated into seven languages.  It will:

  • provide farmers and growers with information, signposting and tools to help avoid criminal organisations and promote worker welfare.
  • contain essential support on licensed labour providers, document verification and the rights of workers such as freedom of movement and right to work
  • support workers and help them understand their rights and what to do if they are being exploited
  • raise awareness amongst members of the public who live or work in rural areas about modern slavery and how to spot potential cases of exploitation

To learn more about modern day slavery in rural communities and download the app please visit here.

Car Wash App

The Safe Car Wash app is part of this anti-slavery project and since its launch it was used more than 8,000 times. In 930 cases (41%), the user was told there was a high likelihood that individuals working at the hand car wash were subject to modern slavery.

The app gives users a checklist of questions to answer when visiting a hand car wash, including the price of the service (less than £6.70 is deemed suspicious), who takes the money, and whether the people washing cars look fearful. Depending on the answers, they may then be urged to make a report to the Modern Slavery helpline. 

The data the app collects will be anonymised and shared with the National Crime Agency and the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority, two law enforcement agencies who are leading on efforts to stamp out modern slavery across the UK.

Get involved today and download the app here.