Unseen Lives: The Hidden World of Modern Slavery

Modern slavery is a crime against humanity hidden in plain sight, with survivors sharing their stories and insights. Kate Garbers' exposé provides a forensic account of how it works and how it is enabled to continue by our current laws and systems. It also provides a vision of hope for those looking to challenge and dismantle it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 18 November 2021
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

This is how Kate Garbers met Riso, a man who had been trafficked and in forced labor for months, with no way out. Modern slavery is far closer than we think. Yet it is largely unseen and unknown to most of us - a crime against humanity hidden in plain sight. In this revealing exposé, Kate Garbers shares moving stories of survivors she has met and shares insights she has gained through over a decade of anti-slavery work. Survivor stories are complemented by a forensic account of how modern slavery works and the many forms it can take - from forced labor to organ harvesting - and how it is enabled to continue by our current laws and systems. Unseen Lives also provides a vision of hope for those looking to challenge and dismantle modern slavery, laying out what changes we need to make as individuals and as a society in order to effectively tackle modern slavery and improve the support of survivors.

Introduction:
Modern slavery is a grave and pervasive issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a crime against humanity that is hidden in plain sight, often going unnoticed and unpunished. In this essay, we will explore the nature of modern slavery, its prevalence, and the challenges faced by survivors and those working to combat it.

What is Modern Slavery?:
Modern slavery refers to the exploitation of individuals through forced labor, sex trafficking, and other forms of coercion. It is a complex issue that involves the recruitment, transportation, and exploitation of people, often for the purposes of labor or sexual exploitation. Modern slavery can take many forms, including forced labor in agriculture, factories, and construction sites, sex trafficking, and domestic servitude.

Prevalence of Modern Slavery:
Modern slavery is a global problem that affects every country in the world. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an estimated 40.3 million people are currently trapped in modern slavery, with the majority of them living in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The prevalence of modern slavery is alarming, as it is a crime that exploits the most vulnerable members of society, including children, women, and men.

Challenges Faced by Survivors:
Survivors of modern slavery face numerous challenges, including physical and psychological trauma, social stigma, and limited access to basic human rights and services. They may also face legal barriers to seeking justice and support, as many countries do not have effective laws and policies in place to combat modern slavery. Survivors may also struggle to reintegrate into their communities and find employment, as they may have been subjected to abuse and exploitation that makes it difficult for them to secure stable and meaningful employment.

Challenges Faced by Anti-Slavery Organizations:
Anti-slavery organizations face numerous challenges in their work to combat modern slavery. They may face funding shortages, limited resources, and political opposition to their efforts. They may also struggle to coordinate their efforts and collaborate with other organizations and governments to address the issue. Anti-slavery organizations may also face challenges in reaching survivors and providing them with the support and services they need.

Conclusion:
Modern slavery is a crime against humanity that requires urgent action to address. It is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach, including prevention, prosecution, and support for survivors. We must work together to raise awareness about modern slavery, strengthen laws and policies to combat it, and provide support and services to survivors. Only by taking collective action can we hope to dismantle this pervasive and devastating crime.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785926358