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