This project seeks to generate an assessment of the value of cultural competency and practices in improving equity and effectiveness in legal enforcement, support services and identification of those affected by modern slavery.
Our research aimed to provide reliable data on the link between systematic oppression and the risks of modern slavery in the UK. We also examined the importance of cultural competency in preventing such risks and safeguarding those who are vulnerable to them.
An overview of the project methodology
This project focused on individuals facing discrimination based on protected characteristics; it analyses how cultural competency can address modern slavery and re-exploitation risks by answering the following research questions:
- To what extent can engagement and delivery of services to individuals be improved based on their cultural background and identity?
- What are the cultural and identity barriers for people with lived experience of modern slavery to engage with the necessary professionals and organisations? How can these be managed/mitigated?
The research team conducted four case studies in different geographical areas: a coastal region, a metropolitan region, a rural region and an area consisting of a dense metropolitan centre surrounded by agricultural land and rural communities. For primary data collection, we created a list of related first responders, charities, and statutory and non-statutory organisations in each case study area to be invited for interviews and/or focus group discussions.
The West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network, Humber Modern Slavery Partnership, and the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner helped the team distribute the research to the modern slavery workforce and promote it at related conferences and events. This helped us achieve a broad sample of 36 participants from the list to ensure responses could be generalised sufficiently and give representative results.
Interviews and focus groups were semi-structured, wherein short lists of questions related to the issue were designed to guide discussions with research participants. Four individuals with lived experience of modern slavery also participated in our research through interviews and a focus group.