It’s a Penalty is an organisation using the Commonwealth Games to take a stand against human trafficking.
Does sport have the power
to change the world?
Today (29th June), It’s a Penalty have launched their official campaign for Birmingham 2022, with England netballers Sasha & Kadeen Corbin talking about why they support the campaign (photo above). A video has also been released featuring past & present Commonwealth athletes (watch out for a very big name at the end):
Can sport unite us so that together we can make a difference?
Millions of children and adults are being trafficked and exploited. It’s happening in the places we call home, the cities we visit and the events we attend. And the experience of organisations working to end human trafficking shows that there is often a spike in exploitation around large events such as the Commonwealth Games.
‘Historically there’s been abuse in the UK so we cannot profile what abusers look like. Human trafficking knows no boundaries here. Communities need to come together and bring about change.’
Bharti Patel, it’s a Penalty Board Member
These are tough subjects to talk about, but very important, and the hope is that by sending the message via sports stars, more of the public will take note, and speak up if they see something.
In the UK, the Modern Slavery Helpline is available on 08000 121 700 or online at modernslaveryhelpline.org if you suspect that you or someone you know is being exploited. The helpline is available 24/7 and is confidential: you can choose to be anonymous and won’t be asked about immigration status. It’s a Penalty also have details of how to make a report from anywhere in the world.
CommonProtect
As well as the Birmingham 2022 campaign, It’s a Penalty also run the CommonProtect advocacy project, to improve protection for children from sexual exploitation and abuse throughout the commonwealth.
CommonProtect aims to:
- End impunity for child sexual exploitation and abuse (CESA);
- Improve access to justice for survivors;
- Ensure better protections from CESA for all children, no matter where in the Commonwealth they live.
You can pop into Peace Hub to find out more about these issues, and pick up a handy wallet-card with all the details for spotting the signs and making a report.