5 minute read
Beyond Borders
International Projects Coordinator Phoebe Burton shares an overview of the Beyond programme, highlighting its global efforts to support survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking, and their families, through internationally coordinated reintegration and family support.
Globally, the Beyond programme supports survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking and their families across borders. A programme of international collaboration, support and connection, Beyond seeks to use its international presence and networks to connect survivors and their families with information and support in recognition that the lives of survivors often go beyond borders.
The programme provides coordination support for two services:
The coordination of return and reintegration aid for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Support to separated family members overseas.
Since the launch of Beyond in 2023, the programme has supported a total of 177 cases. The majority (87 cases) were classified as Return and Reintegration support; 58 cases included international support to a survivor’s family; and 32 cases were categorised as ‘other’. The latter could include enquiries regarding family reunion or family tracing which do not fall within the remit of the Beyond programme. In such instances we signpost to our partners and external organisations.
The Beyond programme welcomes referrals from our designated UK partners. Since its launch, 60 per cent of the cases supported were UK referrals, while 40 per cent were international. Survivors seeking return and reintegration support from Beyond primarily came from the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and India. Survivors most commonly sought assistance to return to Burundi, Sri Lanka, Albania and Uganda.
All referrals for international support to a survivor’s family originated from our designated partners in the United Kingdom, with the families predominantly residing in Nigeria, Vietnam, Eritrea, Uganda and India.
Of the total number of cases Beyond has supported, 115 were from females, 43 were from males, 14 were considered ‘other’, and 5 did not wish to disclose.
Beyond relies on both internal and external connections and partnerships. We work closely with The Salvation Army’s Zonal Coordinators and 134 National Contact Persons situated across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, South Asia, South Pacific and East Asia, as well as local Salvation Army corps (churches). Partnering with external organisations, services and helplines is also essential to the success of Beyond.
We are thankful for the connections with stakeholders and trusted partners who support with the running and continuation of the programme. This cross-collaboration work was particularly evident in a recent case in which Beyond supported a survivor in the UK to reintegrate safely to Romania, ensuring improved protection against re-trafficking.
Beyond received an enquiry from a specialist support worker in the UK who was seeking support for their service user, Yasin*, who wanted to return home to Romania. Yasin had experienced modern slavery in the form of forced labour and hoped that on return he could access shelter and secure employment.
Initially, the National Contact Person in Romania met virtually with Yasin, the specialist support worker and the Beyond coordinator to discuss options for reintegration support on return. The NCP stressed the importance of these online meetings to ‘be able to see what the survivor needed in the reintegration process, and what was possible [for the survivor’s return]’.
Through the support of airport chaplains both within the UK and the Netherlands, assistance was provided to the survivor so he could correctly navigate the airports because this had been a particular concern for him.
The NCP connected us with one of their social workers who supported the survivor with finding accommodation and employment options for his return. The social worker agreed to pick him up from the airport and sort his in-country identification documentation. On return, the survivor was provided with support obtaining rental accommodation, and a National ID card so he could undergo a job interview. Yasin is now working and utilising his strengths and skillset on the job, helping him to grow his independence.
The collaboration between The Salvation Army support worker, the NCP, the social worker in Romania, the UK and Netherlands airport chaplains and Beyond helped to ensure the survivor returned safely with appropriate reintegration support on return.
Yasin’s support worker reflected: ‘It was great working with the Beyond team and international team involved in the service user’s home country. I found it rewarding watching my service user transition from worrying about what would happen to them, to becoming excited and confident that the right support was waiting for them on return.’
The NCP added:
We appreciate all that you do and that we could work together for giving a new chance to this survivor.
The Salvation Army’s Airport Chaplaincy Service supports both staff and passengers at airports across the United Kingdom. Martyn Watson, The Salvation Army’s Chaplaincy Officer for the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber Divisions, shared their passion for this area of work:
Human trafficking is a global problem, and so much of it takes place around us even though most of us are not even aware of it. I am proud of the work of The Salvation Army in this sphere, taking a proactive interest in survivors of human trafficking and helping to change the world in this way – one life at a time.
The Beyond programme is continuing with the influential work being completed through diligent case coordination, ongoing collaborations and research contributions to establish the accessibility of support to survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking across borders.
*Name changed to protect identity
By Phoebe Burton
