* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Programmes like Coronation Street offer a real opportunity to shine a light on what is happening before our eyes
Hekate Papadaki is the head of innovations & partnerships for Hestia's Modern Slavery Response.
Soap operas are an undeniable emblem of British culture, watched and adored by millions of viewers across the UK every single week. For some, they are a guilty pleasure, but for all of us, they offer an opportunity for conversation, and an opportunity for education.
Last year, Coronation Street sparked national conversation with a storyline about male rape, enabling charities and campaigners to address problematic myths and stereotypes. Hollyoaks has recently tackled the implications of self-harm, whilst Eastenders has delved into the meaning of consent.
This week, Coronation Street set the framework for a storyline about modern slavery, focusing on regular character Seb Franklin, played by Harry Visinoni, falling for nail salon worker Alina, played by Romanian actress Ruxandra Porojnicu. The storyline will progress in unveiling that Alina is a victim of a human trafficking ring.
Modern slavery remains a crime hidden in plain sight. The belief holds strong that it’s not happening in our towns, that it doesn’t affect those around us. Yet, according to the Global Slavery Index, there are 136,000 men, women and children in the UK alone, trapped in modern slavery today.
Programmes like Coronation Street offer a real opportunity to shine a light on what is happening before our eyes. They enable us to create a discussion not only around what modern slavery is, but also the support available and the signs that it’s happening to someone in your community.
Modern slavery is happening in nail bars, as Coronation Street will depict, but the plight isn’t confined to one service or industry. Forced labour can take place on farms, in car washes or in local shops. Domestic servitude could be happening behind a door in your street, whilst sexual and criminal exploitation is happening in our towns and communities as we speak.
To eradicate this brutal and unforgiving crime, we need everyone to acknowledge their role in stamping out slavery. The entertainment industry can play its part by raising crucial awareness; police forces can ensure every officer knows how to spot a victim; the NHS can make sure survivors get access to mental health support to help them recover; and businesses can be proactive in weeding out modern slavery in their supply chains.
This requires support from the Government, from ensuring funding for the Modern Slavery Police and Transformation Unit, to guaranteeing safe and secure accommodation is available for survivors and adheres to the Trafficking Survivor Care Standards. The British Government has spearheaded the fight against modern slavery with the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and through combined effort, we can continue to be a nation effecting change.
The fight against modern slavery also requires that each and every one of us is vigilant in actively noticing and reporting unusual circumstances. Does the person you’re concerned about look malnourished or dishevelled? Do they seem anxious, not talking or seemingly unable to maintain eye contact? Do their living or working conditions seem to be dirty or insufficient, without appropriate clothes or equipment to do their job? Do they seem restricted in their movement, who they talk to or the possessions and documentation they own?
All of these factors could be a sign that someone is being exploited against their will. In recognising these signs, we can make steps in ensuring victims of modern slavery can access the professional support they need to recover and begin to rebuild their lives.
Crucially, it must be acknowledged that help is available. Charities such as Hestia support thousands of men and women each year, providing safe houses, specialist advocates and community-based volunteer programmes.
As Coronation Street’s storyline develops and unfolds, I hope that a spotlight will shine on one of the UK’s most pressing yet woefully underestimated issues, and the public will start to realise the opportunity they have in putting a stop to modern slavery and the trauma it inflicts.
With Eastenders also recently highlighting the brutality of human trafficking, one thing is clear. Soaps are starting a conversation on the relentless brutality of these crimes. It’s our job, as professionals but also as members of the public, to carry it forward if we are to see long-lasting change.
