AN ACTIVIST from Stroud is being featured in a national campaign. 

Bill Crooks, from Stroud, features in a campaign which seeks to encourage groups and individuals to move from the sidelines and take action against modern slavery.

Journeys is a new multimedia resource from The Clewer Initiative (the Church of England’s response to modern slavery)

Stroud News and Journal:

He appears throughout the five films, sharing his story of working alongside victims of exploitation and using art to help them in their recovery.

In the films, he communicates powerfully the horror of modern slavery and why he has got involved in tackling the crime.

He explains some of the challenges he has faced and how his faith keeps him going.

Bill has also created 30 vivid drawings, portraying the journey of a modern slavery victim and the different stages of exploitation.

These images are available as part of the resource to prompt discussion and contemplation.

Bill is one of eight frontline experts from across the UK who share their stories in the films.

They also discuss how strengthening community resilience, forging partnerships, robust safeguarding, raising awareness and therapeutic art can help in the fight against slavery.

The new resource, Journeys, consists of five mini-films which feature victim stories and interviews with frontline volunteers and experts).

These victim stories are based on true stories and brought to life by five talented actors and actresses.

They tell the journeys of victims drawn into labour exploitation, county lines, financial exploitation, domestic servitude and sexual exploitation

It is also a devotional resource for churches and individual and a separate resource for schools, businesses, charities, statutory and community organisations

The campaign includes written contributions from the National Crime Agency, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Bishop of London and the former Bishop of Derby, Alastair Redfern

Bishop Alastair Redfern, chair of The Clewer Initiative, explains: “The films and supporting resources are practical and realistic, exploring many of the complexities we face as we try to support victims and prevent criminal gangs getting a foothold.

"Our hope is that by hearing from frontline volunteers such as Bill, more of us will be spurred to take action.”

For more information on the campaign visit - bit.ly/3DU4X7l

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