Resources for investigating modern slavery

Where can you find useful resources, inspiration and tips to investigate modern slavery?

Over the coming months we will be further adding a variety of resources on this page. Please feel free to contact us with any comments or ideas.

 

About reporting on modern slavery

Thomson Foundation

In February 2021 the Thomson Foundation published Hidden from view: Reporting on human trafficking and modern slavery, including an eight-point guide for journalists covering human trafficking and modern slavery.

GIJN

The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) has an online library of with several interesting sections in this field:

• Human Trafficking, Forced Labor and Slavery
• Best practices in reporting on human trafficking
• Reporting on Slavery: Tips from the Pros
• Tips on Investigating Trafficking and Modern Slavery

 

Data, facts & figures on modern slavery

United Nations

On 2 February 2021 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published the fifth Global Report of Trafficking in Persons. It provides an overview of patterns and flows of trafficking in persons at global, regional and national levels. It also contains thematic chapters on socioeconomic conditions, child trafficking, forced labour, and internet technologies.

 

Inspirational stories

• Seefood from slaves. An AP investigation helps free slaves in the 21st century. Winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
• Stories of modern slavery. The Guardian, July 2017. 
• Missing in France: The plight of Vietnamese children who are trafficked into Europe. Mediapart / Investigate Europe, July 2020.
• The hidden scourge of sex trafficking in Asia. A very comprehensive piece by Zafirah Mohamed Zein. Kontinentalist, August 2020.
• Handelsware Kind. Die Mafia der Menschenhändler. Documentary on Vietnamese children trafficked to Europe, by Adrian Bartocha and Jan Wiese. Das Erste, January 2021.