James Brown

VITA Training

Modern slavery is a nefarious thriving injustice. The Global Slavery Index estimated around 136,000 people are living and working as slaves in the UK, 2 per 1000 individuals. This severe complex physical, psychological and sexual trauma results in significant health consequences to individuals and wider society. Victims are presenting in healthcare services, yet 95% of NHS healthcare professionals are unaware of the scale or extent of the problem. 1 in 8 NHS healthcare professionals know or strongly suspect they have come in contact with a victim (1 in 5 in maternity services), yet 80% don't feel they have enough training to know what to do. VITA is a professional, clinician-led organisation working to advance the health response to modern slavery prevention, intervention and survivor-care. We do this through training frontline healthcare professionals, research and national and international advocacy. VITA's evidence-based training courses for healthcare professionals aim to transform the practice of safeguarding vulnerable and trafficked people. It's not enough to be taught a list of red flags and know who to call. VITA focuses on trauma-informed consultation skills. Knowing what to do when a patient is sitting in front of you. How to create a safe, confidential space, trauma-informed care, what questions to ask, how to safely get a patient on their own. More than 1200 healthcare professionals from across Bristol, London and South Yorkshire have attended this training.