The Project

In recent years, faith-based organisations (FBOs) have become increasingly prominent in both campaigns around anti-trafficking, and the provision of services to trafficked persons. FBOs provide services as part of the government-funded National Referral Mechanism, as well as ‘filling the gaps’ by supporting people outside of government contracts.

This project seeks to understand how faith shapes approaches to anti-trafficking. What, if anything, is distinctive about the support offered by FBOs? How is this support experienced by trafficked persons?

Our 30 month Economic and Social Research Council funded university research project is also interested in why FBOs have become prominent in campaigns and influencing policy around anti-trafficking. How does the growing role of FBOs in anti-trafficking relate to the neoliberal restructuring of the welfare state, and the emergence of welfare pluralism? What does this tell us about whether we are living in a ‘postsecular’ society?

Finally, this project asks whether there is anything particular about the role of FBOs in anti-trafficking in the UK. What role do FBOs play in other European countries, such as The Netherlands and Spain? What similarities and differences exist, and what are the reasons for these?