For too long, in the shadows of the world’s cultural and economic systems, women and girls have been overlooked and taken advantage of.
This package has been designed to help us shine a spotlight on the increasing exploitation of vulnerable women and girls in our communities. The course explores three specific areas – sexual exploitation, labour exploitation and county lines – and invites us to gain a deeper understanding of the suffering experienced by many women as well as reflect upon our possible complicity and indifference. It also reminds us of the continuing vulnerability of many in our society and looks at how victims can be supported to live independent lives, free from fear and abuse.
The material in this booklet can be used for individual education or as part of a more formal online course. You can use the short films in their entirety or in part to invite a group to think about these challenging issues. We are extremely thankful to everyone who has helped bring this course to fruition and we hope it will help to raise awareness and understanding of the suffering of others and stir us to reach out to more women in the shadows.
About the resource
At the heart of Women in the Shadows are five short films which include haunting survivor stories, dramatised by actresses, and expert interviews.
We spoke to nine frontline workers about their experience of working with marginalised women. Each had a personal testimony of how they have come to join the fight against modern slavery and all are involved in different ways.
Each week, the resources concentrates on a different forms of modern slavery facing women and girls in the UK today. Participants will learn more about how sexual exploitation, forced labour and county lines drug smuggling can flourish in society and what can be done to combat it and support victims when they escape entrapment.
During the course, you will discover how women are drawn into modern slavery and exploitative situations; what life can be like for them once they are rescued, and the many challenges they face as they recover from trauma. You will also find out more about how to recognise signs of modern slavery.
