Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

Women’s Aid Luton (WAL) understands and recognises that slavery and human trafficking are causes for increasing concern worldwide. This is particularly relevant to us as these issues directly impact the lives and well-being of the women and children we serve. It is imperative that we do not directly or indirectly facilitate or support slavery or human trafficking in any form. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and are fully committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our operations. Additionally, we are dedicated to supporting women and their children who are affected by these crimes.
Modern Slavery is a term that covers slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. The British Government estimates that there are around 13,000 people in modern slavery in the UK today.
This statement outlines how we work to prevent modern slavery within our organisation and in any external relationships we hold.

Who We Are

Women’s Aid Luton is a small specialist charity that provides life-saving services to women and children affected by domestic abuse. This includes refuge accommodation, emotional and practical support, helpline assistance, and outreach services.
Whilst our structure and supply chains are limited, we are aware that the women and children we support may have experienced or be vulnerable to modern slavery or trafficking – particularly if they face multiple disadvantages such as immigration status, poverty, or language barriers.
Our Governance Structure
At the heart of our charity’s mission is the commitment to support individuals in living lives free from domestic abuse. Ensuring the safety of people is fundamental to our operations and is a constant priority. We diligently work to prevent harm and abuse, while also responding promptly and sensitively through effective reporting and resolution mechanisms. This commitment is integral to delivering high-quality domestic abuse services, with safeguarding, including modern slavery, being central to our efforts and actions.
WAL is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board delegates decision-making responsibilities to various sub-committees, including the Risk and Governance Committee, which addresses safeguarding and risk-related issues on a quarterly basis and reports to the full Board. The Board of Trustees collaborates closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), including the CEO, through these sub-committees and regular Board meetings. The SLT, responsible for the day-to-day operations of our charity, works in close partnership with our employees to ensure effective management. Additionally, there is a dedicated lead for Safeguarding on the Board and the SLT.

Our Commitment

We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and are committed to:
Recognising and responding to potential signs of trafficking or exploitation
Creating safe environments where survivors can disclose abuse
Equipping staff with the tools and training they need to act appropriately
Working in partnership with local authorities, police, and specialist agencies to support victims
We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business.
We will treat any breach of our Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking Policy very seriously.
Being transparent about our efforts to tackle modern slavery, and to consistently review measures and strengthen them where necessary

Safeguarding and Staff Training

All staff and volunteers at Women’s Aid Luton receive safeguarding training, which includes how to identify and respond to concerns around modern slavery and trafficking.
We have clear policies in place, including:

• Safeguarding Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Recruitment and Selection Policy
• Whistleblowing Procedure
• Data Protection Policy

These ensure that our services are safe, transparent, and focused on the needs of survivors.
See also relevant Legislation: The Modern Slavery Act 2015: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/30/section/54/enacted

All our staff and volunteers are aware of their role in detecting and preventing abuse. Any incidents of abuse, including suspicions of slavery or human trafficking, must be reported to senior management or trustees under our Whistleblowing Policy.

Our Supply Chains

As a small charity, our supply chains are limited and largely local. However, we are still committed to ensuring that the small number of goods and services we use, such as cleaning, IT services, deliveries, and contractors, are sourced responsibly.
Where possible, we seek to work with ethical suppliers and raise awareness with partners about our values and expectations around modern slavery.
We establish relationships of trust and integrity with contractors and tradespeople, selecting them based on their reputation, adherence to the law, compliance with health & safety, security, environmental standards, and references. To date, we have not been made aware of any allegations of human trafficking or slavery against any of our contractors or tradespeople. Should any such concerns arise, we would act immediately and report them to the appropriate authorities.
All contractors are subjected to relevant checks to ensure that they are suitable to work within our services. We expect all suppliers and contractors to attest that:

• They do not use any form of forced, compulsory, or slave labour.
• Their employees work voluntarily and are entitled to leave work.
• They provide each employee with an employment contract that includes a reasonable notice period for termination.
• They do not require employees to post a deposit/bond or withhold salaries for any reason.
• They do not require employees to surrender their passports or work permits as a condition of employment.

Supporting Survivors of Modern Slavery

Women’s Aid Luton supports individuals who may have experienced multiple forms of abuse including modern slavery. We work closely with external agencies to make appropriate referrals and ensure women and children are given the care and protection that they need.
We remain committed to improving our practices year on year. We will:

• Continue staff training and awareness work
• Review and update relevant policies
• Strengthen partnerships that help identify and support victims
• Ensure our organisation remains a safe space for disclosures

This statement has been approved by the Board of Trustees on 31/07/2025 and will be reviewed annually.
It is signed by:

Siobhan Morton, Acting Chair of Trustees
(on behalf of the full Board)
Gaby Price, CEO
(on behalf of the Senior Leadership Team)