In October, Fr Marco Villani SDB, attended a Modern Slavery Conference in Reigate.

Here is a summary of the subjects that the conference covered:

The event, introduced by Bishop Rosemarie Mallett, focused on raising awareness about
modern slavery and the Christian responsibility to combat it. Mallett emphasised the need for
individuals to take active steps for change, highlighting the presence of county lines and
exploitation in Surrey. Isaiah 58 says "If you do away with the yoke of oppression… then your
light will rise in darkness", stressing justice and righteousness are held together by love.
DCI Kerry Loveless from Surrey Police explained modern slavery as a profitable, hidden crime
where victims, often controlled through fear, shame, and isolation, are exploited for labour, sex,
or criminal activities.

There is a high level of control over victims, such as fear, shame, lack of access to resources,
finances, clothing, identification documents, cultural issues, language barriers, previous
experience of law enforcement, including sexual assault by men posing as police, resulting in
victims becoming unlikely to report or support action from the police.

She noted that 40 million people are enslaved worldwide (equivalent to the population of
Canada), with 130-140,000 in the UK, especially in areas near London. Currently, there are
approximately 4000 investigations taking place nationally. Common sites for exploitation
include car washes, construction, agriculture, nail bars, and care homes. The Clewer app was
mentioned as a tool for reporting slavery.

Bishop Richard Moth applied Catholic Social Teaching (CST), citing scriptural and papal
teachings on justice and human dignity. Exodus is a basis for the release of slaves, and there is
also the letter of St Paul to Philemon regarding Onesimus, asking for Onesimus to be treated as
a brother and not as a slave. In the Gospel, (Matthew 25:40) Jesus says, "Whatever you do to the
least of these, you do to me." Christ is being trafficked in the persons of these victims.
CST principles, such as just wages, workers' rights, and the call to protect the poor, were
discussed through various papal encyclicals. Pope Leo XIII and Rerum Novarum, Pope Pius II
and Iamdudum, Pope John XXIII and Mater Et Magistra, Pope Paul VI and Populorum Progressio,
Pope Benedict XVI and Caritas in Veritate, and Pope Francis and Fratelli Tutti with Pope Francis
teaching that slavery is an "open wound in the body of humanity"

The Right Reverend Doctor Alistair Redfern, Chair of the Clewer Initiative, urged communities to
confront modern slavery through resilience-building, advocacy, and love. He proposed practical
actions, such as fostering community resilience, addressing sexual exploitation, and being bold
in support of victims. He encouraged using the Clewer "Safe Car Wash" app for reporting any
instances of Modern Slavery