Interface

32 Autumn/Winter 2021 A new hand signal was launched on Anti-Slavery Day (October 18th) to help fight modern slavery in the construction sector. The hand signal, launched by Stronger Together with the support from CITB and CIOB, is a new tool to empower victims of modern slavery to get help. Construction has been identified as high-risk for modern slavery by various bodies, including the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and the sector is increasingly taking measures to prevent this most extreme form of labour exploitation, whilst identifying and supporting victims. STRONGER TOGETHER Construction leads on adopting a hand SOS signal for victims of modern slavery. Detecting victims, who are often ‘hidden in plain sight’, is a particular challenge as victims are often unable to communicate easily for reasons including being under threat and intimidation in the workplace, and/ or may not speak English as a first language. It is important therefore that victims can use a non-verbal signal as necessary, enabling them to seek help discretely without raising suspicion or placing themselves or others in danger. This is a particular challenge faced on construction sites, but is shared across many other workplaces. UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION The sponsors of Stronger Together’s Construction Programme, led byMichaela Skodova, set out to develop a simple and universal signal that could be used by victims on construction sites and other workplaces. Following a number of focus groups, the Hand SOS signal was selected. This signal for help was originally launched by the Canadian Women’s Foundation as a simple, one-handed sign that someone can silently use to indicate that they need help and want someone to check in with them in a safe way. Supported by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), CITB and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Stronger Together launched this signal on Anti-Slavery Day, for victims who are seeking help. To support the introduction of this signal, the organisations developed a range of free resources available from the Stronger Together website including: • A downloadable poster to place around the workplace • A simple toolbox talk to raise awareness of modern slavery “You cannot voice the trauma and fear you experience on a daily basis perhaps because you can’t speak the language or simply because you fear being overheard by the wrong people.” Westminster, London, UK. October 19th 2019. Young people gather in London to raise awareness of modern day slavery across the World.