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.

Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN)

In June 2021 GIJN published Human Trafficking: Investigating an Evil Hidden in Plain Sight by Martha Mendoza, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and part of the Associated Press team that exposed the use of slave labor in the Thai seafood industry. It is a chapter from GIJN's forthcoming Reporter’s Guide to Investigating Organized Crime.

GIJN's online library has several other interesting sections in this field:

Webinar Safety and Security: How to Overcome the Risks When Investigating Human Trafficking

An important training need already identified for this webinar was security, both digital and physical. For investigative journalists and CSOs to do their work and expose cases of human trafficking and abuse, they need to be able to conduct their work in a safe, enabling environment. Through the security training, participants were empowered to create this environment and safeguard themselves from abuse and fall-out related to their work.  Speakers included Annie Kelly and Ian Urbina.

Know more about the seminar speakers and details. 

Watch our webinar here 

Webinar The Survivor Voice: Interviewing Victims of Human Trafficking

Interviewing a person who has been a victim of human trafficking raises several ethical questions regarding the sensitivity of the topic and the traumatic history of each survivor. As journalists continue to cover stories related to modern slavery, it can be helpful to have a better understanding of how to interview survivors of these type of crimes. This webinar provided tips for interviewing survivors of human trafficking, forced labour, and sexual exploitation. A major focus was placed on how to conduct interviews that minimise re‐traumatisation and yield evidence of the victim’s experience of the crime. It also approached other strategies to effectively interview victims of trauma such as building rapport as the first step when getting in touch with victims. Speakers included Sanne Terlingen and an anonymous survivor of modern slavery. This webinar was organised by Journalismfund Europe’s Modern Slavery Unveiled programme. This was the fourth webinar of the series of online training that aims to assist journalists and Civil Society Organisations who come into contact with human trafficking victims. 

Know more about the seminar speakers and details. 

Watch our webinar here 

Webinar Promoting NGO – media partnerships: reporting about human trafficking

This webinar discussed the role of journalists and other media representatives in raising awareness about human trafficking, reducing vulnerabilities and holding governments, law enforcement and businesses to account. A major focus was put on the cooperation of NGOs and (investigative) journalists; the expectations of both for such partnerships and recommendations for more efficient partnerships, respecting the independence of journalists. Speakers included Suzanne Hoff, Marija Andjelkovic, Sasa Dragojlo, and Lam Le. 

Know more about the seminar speakers and details. 

Watch our webinar here 

Webinar Ethics and Journalism: Investigating Human Trafficking Responsibly

This webinar discussed ethical guidelines for journalists when reporting on victims and survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and labor abuse. It also explored the possibilities to collaborate with civil society organizations that share the goal of ending modern slavery. Speakers included Aidan White, Charles Autheman, and Wahyu Dhyatmika. 

Know more about the seminar speakers and details. 

Watch our webinar here 

Webinar: Investigating Human Trafficking

The webinar was produced by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) in partnership with Journalismfund Europe’s Modern Slavery Unveiled programme and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. This virtual presentation provided tips on how to dig into human trafficking, sexual exploitation and labour abuse, and discussed the best ways to cooperate with civil society groups that offer protection to victims of trafficking and slavery. 

Know more about the seminar speakers and details. 

Watch our webinar here 

Reporting on forced labour and fair recruitment: An ILO toolkit for journalists

This resource was created to help you report on some of the most severe abuses of human rights. In this guide you will learn about forced labour and on strategies to prevent it, in particular by promoting fair recruitment practices. 

Do you:

  • Have no prior knowledge and want to know more about these issues?
  • Already have a story but need some background information or resources?
  • Need to convince your editor/producer that you should report on these issues?
  • Have experience of covering these issues in the past, but want to raise your understanding to be able to do more analytical reports?
  • Understand the issues but need to learn how to promote more media coverage of it?

Read on and learn more about this toolkit.

Human trafficking manual for journalists: NGO ASTRA

This Manual was created with the intention to offer all those who write or wish to write on the phenomenon of trafficking in women fundamental information on the problem itself, and give recommendations for writing, all for the purpose of the most precise possible presentation of the problem to the citizens, in the interest of women victims of trafficking and all the persons dealing with them.

Read the entire document here. 

Data, facts & figures on modern slavery

  • United Nations Report: Exploitation and Abuse: The Scale and Scope of Human Trafficking in South Eastern Europe
    On 31 May 2022 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published a report on Exploitation and Abuse: The Scale and Scope of Human Trafficking in South Eastern Europe (SEE). Over 450 anti-trafficking experts from 22 countries contributed to the report examining the root causes of trafficking, the profile of the victims and the perpetrators, and the recruitment methods of the traffickers.  Sexual exploitation, primarily of women who are trafficked to countries in Western and Southern Europe, remains the most prevalent form of the crime, while cases of labour exploitation are rising.  
  • United Nations Global Report of Trafficking in Persons
    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.
  • Labor Risks for Philippino migrants in Europe
    Non-profit organisation Verité conducted an assessment of labor risks for Filipino migrant workers involved in the fishing, seafaring, and domestic work sectors in Europe, as well as in two emerging host countries for Filipino workers: the Czech Republic and Poland. Assessing Labor Risk for Workers Migrating from the Philippines to Europe, published in March 2021.

Information to refer potential trafficking survivors to further support

  • Support line for vulnerable Vietnamese migrants, potential trafficking survivors, and trafficking survivors: +84 988 488 000
  • Email for responders to contact us: cares@pacificlinks.org
  • CaRes Discussion Forum (access to resources and discussions on topics related to Vietnamese migration to Europe, contact us at cares@pacificlinks.org for access to the forum)
  • Cultural competency training for responders to help build trust with Vietnamese migrants, potential trafficking survivors and trafficking survivors (online and in-person) - they're always looking for other organizations/entities to help co-host a training

Inspirational stories