PRESS RELEASE

Soroptimists Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking forAnti-Slavery Day -18th October

(Please edit this press release to meet your own requirements - although it is UK focused, it can easily be edited to use to raise awareness of human trafficking in SIGBI countries outside of the UK)

Women, children, and men are victims of human trafficking for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour. Trafficking to the UK is primarily from Eastern Europe, Africa, the Balkans, and Asia. Some victims, including UK-resident children, are also trafficked within the country. Migrant workers are trafficked to the UK for forced labour in agriculture, construction, food processing, domestic servitude, and food services.The UK Anti-Slavery Day Act became law in April 2010 and the UK’s first Anti-Slavery Day took place on October 18th of that year. The Day’s aim is to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of modern-day slavery and human trafficking. In this Act the term “slavery” includes trafficking for sexual exploitation, child trafficking, and trafficking for forced labour and domestic servitude. This year a number of organisations are planning events not just for the day itself but for the week.

To mark this day Soroptimists will be raising awareness of trafficking particularly of women and girls.

Soroptimist International ofname of Club/ Region / National Association is organisingplease add in here what is being organised for Anti Slavery Day, indicating what, when (date and time )and where. If the event is open to the public, please say so and make them welcome. If you have invited other women’s organisations and guests, please add this into your Press Release .

If joining with other organisationse.g. Purple Teardrop Campaign, then include this information.

Orcomplete the paragraph by saying what the Club/ Region / National Association / Network has done.

Name and title of person making the quote, eg Mary Smith, President of Soroptimist International of name of Club/ Region/ National Association / Networksays "Anti slavery day is very important to Soroptimists because one of our objectives is to eliminate violence against women and girls. We are actively working with governments to stop human trafficking which is modern day slavery. We are a global organisation for women and we work as volunteers locally , nationally and internationally, on issues like this to benefit women and girls. “

Notes to Editors

  1. Web addresses:

Human Trafficking Foundation

Anti-Slavery International

Stop The Traffik

ECPAT UK

Purple Teardrop Campaign at

2. Please give details of opportunities for photographs and interviews or include any photographs of the event, saying who, what, when and where.

3. Soroptimist International is a leading global women's voluntary organisation. Ithas close to 90,000 members in more than 3,000 Clubsin over 100 countries around the world. The Federation of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) has members in more than 350 clubs in 29 countries including the British Isles, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Malta.

4. Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls through a global network of members and international partnerships. Soroptimistsare committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong and peaceful communities worldwide.

5. Soroptimists focus on transforming the lives of women and girls, locally, nationally and globally, through education,empowerment and enabling initiatives. Soroptimists make a difference to the lives of more than halfa million women and girls in the world every year.

6. Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland is an organisation inSpecial Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) since July 2013. This is in addition to the General Consultative status held by the umbrella organisation Soroptimist International.Soroptimist International is a recognised Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) representing women from all over the world.

7. For more information about Soroptimist International, or this Press Release, please contactname and contact details of the PR officer for the Club/ Region/ National Association / Networkor Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) on 0161 480 7686, email ebsite

Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland

(SIGBI) Limited, Company Number 07058666