BASNET - The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network

  • The UK BME Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET) is a project of AFRUCA Safeguarding Children. It is the first network in the UK and in Europe dedicated to promoting equality, inclusion and diversity in the anti-trafficking and anti-slavery space. Our Network members are registered charities or community interest companies working in diaspora communities affected by modern slavery.

    Each year, hundreds of people with lived experience of modern slavery or human trafficking are brought into the UK from over 20 countries but the voices of those communities are often unheard in much of anti-slavery work. Most UK children who have experienced exploitation and modern slavery in the country, according to the National Referral Mechanism, are children from black and ethnic minority backgrounds affected by criminal exploitation, yet these communities are hardly involved in the anti-slavery space.

  • Our Network aims to strengthen the voices of marginalised communities in anti-slavery and provide opportunities for grass-root collaborative and partnership approaches to tackle modern slavery in affected communities.

  • Providing a space for Black and ethnic organisations working in or with an interest in anti-slavery and anti-trafficking work to improve knowledge and understanding of the current landscape including government policies, legislation and strategies to tackle modern slavery

    Helping to build capacity of member organisations to strengthen their anti-slavery work and enhance organisational growth and development.

    Encouraging partnership opportunities among members and signposting to relevant funding sources for Black and ethnic focused partnership projects

    Promoting the Network among various funding bodies so they are aware of its role and the activities of its various members

    Advocating for better diversity and inclusion in the work of national and regional statutory agencies and how they engage with Black and diaspora groups and communities

  • We expect our Network to achieve the following:

    Sector wide policy and practice change and improvement in equality, diversity and inclusion for the benefits of survivors. those with lived experiences and affected communities

    Increased participation by Black and ethnic communities and and diaspora groups in the national and regional anti-slavery and anti-trafficking space

    Increased number of Black led projects working in affected communities

    Improved engagement of Black and diaspora groups by statutory agencies and mainstream NGOS working on anti-slavery matters

Membership options

  • Full membership of our Network is free and is opened to UK registered charities or community interest companies led by and working solely in diaspora and BME communities on anti-trafficking and/or anti-slavery matters.

  • Associate membership is opened to individuals from diaspora and BME communities with an interest (academic, professional) in UK anti-slavery activities, researchers, statutory agencies and mainstream NGOs who are seeking partnership opportunities with BME organisations who are full members.

  • Free membership per annum, renewable each year based on participation

    Opportunity to network with key policy-makers and be involved in national and regional policy activities

    Free access to all communications produced by BASNET, including monthly BASNET E-Briefing on topical and relevant subjects with opportunities for organisations to be featured

    Quarterly meetings and briefing sessions, with expert speakers on various related topics.

    Cover of travel expenses to partly meet travel costs of organisations based outside London.

    Partnership opportunities to build and collaborate on community led anti-slavery projects.

    Participation in BASNET Working Groups

Expectation

  • We expect our members (Full and Associate) to be engaged in the following areas of Modern Slavery and Anti-Trafficking:

    Sexual Exploitation or Sexual Slavery

    Domestic Slavery

    Forced Labour and Bonded Labour

    County Lines Drug Trafficking.

  • Our members must demonstrate their ongoing work or interest in the following key activities

    Policy Influencing and Advocacy

    Prevention, Community Awareness, Education and Mobilisation, Research Victim Support, and Protection Training and Skills Building for Agencies

Activities

  • We Expect all Full Members to:

    Actively engage in Network activities by attending all quarterly meetings a year, respond to communication, provide feedback on consultations and provide regular updates on their work as required

    Take part in the Network’s advocacy activities

    Attend national events organised by the Network

    Share information and resources on subjects of interest to other members

    Promote the Network and its work to local, regional and national stakeholders

    Take advantage of their full membership to actively build partnerships with other members (full and associate) to influence anti-slavery work in their communities

  • Free access to monthly BASNET E-Briefing on topical and relevant subjects and feature opportunities

    Free attendance at one BASNET event each year

    Partnership opportunities to collaborate on community led anti-slavery projects

Membership Details

How To Become A Member of BASNET

Please visit the BASNET website at www.bmeantislavery.org for further information about BASNET, its various activities and how to become a member.