SI Barnstaple and Unchosen present Films against Slavery on 27 October

BRISTOL CHARITY RAISES AWARENESS OF MODERN SLAVERY IN THE SOUTH WEST 

BARNSTAPLE STANDS AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY at the Castle Centre on 27 October 2015 

Unchosen and Soroptimist International of Barnstaple are proud to announce the premiere of Unchosen’s Films Against Slavery at the Castle Centre on Tuesday 27 October from 18:00 to 19:00.

People from all communities are invited to attend this free event to find out what slavery might look like in their area and what they can do about it. A film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with experts in the local anti-slavery field.

Modern slavery remains widespread in the UK with the Home Office recently estimating that there are between 10,000 to 13,000 victims at any one time. It can affect men or women, boys or girls; it can affect people from any background, of any nationality including British nationals as well as those trafficked into the UK. Forced labour is a type of modern slavery and accounts for nearly half of all cases in the UK – many of these cases take place in rural areas.

Unchosen is a Bristol based charity that uses the power of film to fight modern slavery. It aims at empowering individuals, communities and organisations to recognise the signs of modern slavery and take action. The event is organised in collaboration with Soroptimist International, which is committed to improve the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.

Unchosen will be encouraging individuals and groups to order their own free copy of Films Against Slavery to screen in their own community settings.  Melissa Blackburn, Unchosen manager explains, “The most damaging myth about slavery is that it is invisible. We can see it if we know what to look for.  We want to give communities the tools to identify slavery and the confidence to know what to do about it. If we are vigilant to look and find nothing then we can celebrate this but it is not acceptable in this day and age for slavery to go undetected.  We want people to order these DVDs and screen them in their communities so that more people are informed and know how to respond.”