Sheffield charity, Causeway, has worked with Ginger Fox Studio in Barnsley to create the UK’s first self-assessment modern slavery risk checker.
The digital tool asks people a series of questions to see if they may be experiencing, or at risk of, criminal or sexual exploitation. It then provides information, guidance and signposting to show what they can do next.
It’s been developed in collaboration with modern slavery survivors, and it launches in January, to mark Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
“It was a real honour to partner with Causeway and a team of Live Experience Consultants to design the Exploitation Risk Checker,” said Neil Garrett, Founder and Creative Director at Ginger Fox Studio.
“We’ve ensured it’s been designed to be user focused with the customer journey at the forefront, as it’s really important the risk checker is completely accessible and engaging for everyone to use. It’s a really innovative product that we hope will help and make a tangible difference to those who may be experiencing or at risk of exploitation.”
It is estimated that worldwide, 50m people are currently trapped in modern slavery and exploitation, with over 100k of those in the UK.
Between July 2023 to June 2024, the North West was third behind London and the South East for the region where most new modern slavery victims had been identified. Yorkshire and the North East were fifth on the list.
To produce the tool, Causeway and Ginger Fox Studio collaborated with 3 survivors of modern slavery, including Emily Vaughn, author of Sunday Times bestseller Enslaved: My True Story of Survival.
“We are really proud to be starting 2025 with the launch of our brand new Exploitation Risk Checker,” added Edwin Buckley, Head of Communications and Engagement at Causeway.
“Signs of modern slavery and exploitation can be nuanced and hard to spot, and those who are experiencing it may not know what to do or how to find support. We hope this free and confidential self-assessment tool will serve as a vital resource for those concerned for themselves or somebody they know. It has been a really innovative, creative and enjoyable experience working with the team at Ginger Fox Studio to bring this product to fruition.”
