February 2019

Today I was doing an interview with The Salvation Army. I was really nervous. I didn't want to sound like a fool. I sat down with Major Anne Read.

"Your Royal Highness, thank you very much for you time today, we really do appreciate it. Can you tell us why you're wanting to get involved in the issue of anti human trafficking and modern slavery." Major Anne Read said.

"I think it was a visit to India that I did with my mother. It was visiting a charity called Women's Interlink in Calcutta and these women were trafficked and were victims of slavery and they were saved. These girls now print on wonderful fabrics and they make lots of lovely clothes and they get paid for their work and it's now a growing social enterprise which is something that's really important to have skills and to be able to help yourself and so that was my first view into it. Since then I came to visit with The Salvation Army, and I visited a safe house and I think it's something that always striked me as never really being talked about and no one really knowing what's going on. So, to just try and raise awareness and shine a spotlight on an issue and also on the wonderful people who are doing amazing things within the field was so important to my family and to me." I said.

"We think of it as being something that happens somewhere else and I think it's really helpful to raise awareness that it's happening here too." Major Anne said.

"I didn't know that the issue of slavery within even a mile of my living is an issue. I think that was so shocking on our own doorstep when you think it is a million miles away but actually it's people every day who this is happening to." I said.

"Can I ask you a little bit of a personal question? When you visited the safe house and met those victims of modern slavery, how did it make you feel?" Major Anne asked.

"I was completely astounded by the victims these people were strong, happy, they had their moments when they were telling stories, they were loving life. These girls really showed me how to grab life and to appreciate things and if they can do it after what they've been through it's a really huge lesson for people to learn." I said.

"That resilience is such a strong thing isn't it? The human spirit, what they can..." Major Anne said.

"I was actually thinking today, it's courageous. I like that word, because they are courageous and everyone who works within modern slavery and who tries to fight for the people who don't have a voice, are courageous, I mean brave, and it's such an important word I think that goes with it." I added.

"I think that's right. It does take courage to move from an absolutely disastrous situation to start to rebuild your lives and it can be a very long process as well. So we're relaunching a campaign called #askthequestion. How important do you think it is that the general public also prompt businesses to consider whether there are slaves being used in their supply chains?" Major Anne said.

"I think the campaign in general is brilliant. It's something to make people think and to make people listen and have a look and see what they can do to ask the question to see what's going on and to provide any support for The Salvation Army and their campaign. #askthequestion will be shining a light for all people, friends, families, businesses to see what's going on and to really understand it, and I think raising awareness is such a huge part of modern slavery because it's going on, as much as it is. There are more slaves now than there were in William Wilberforce's time and I think it's such a huge problem but I think everyone can do their part to try and effect change and I think if you can save one person's life then you can keep going. It's something that I'm definitely going to shout about." I said.

"Excellent, and we're so pleased about that. So, Princess Adrienne, are you going to #askthequestion?" Major Anne asked causing to chuckle a little bit.

"Definitely, of course." I answered.

"Well, we're so grateful to you for adding your support to this campaign and I know it will make a difference. Thank you." Major Anne said.

"Thank you." I said.

Princess Adrienne releases impassioned video to support Salvation Army's campaign against modern slavery

Princess Adrienne has released an impassioned video - on behalf of the Salvation Army - to raise awareness about modern slavery. She talks about the charity's #askthequestion social media initiative, which encourages members of the British public to ask companies what they are doing to ensure their supply chains are #slavefree.

"I've had the chance to see first-hand what The Salvation Army can do for victims of trafficking and modern slavery," the royal explained. "This year I went to visit a safehouse and I was completely astonished by the work that they do and by the survivors who have come out of modern slavery.

"I think it's everyone's opportunity and duty to #askthequestion and to support this campaign in any way possible to try to effect change and create massive awareness for the cause."

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Princess Adrienne has released a video - on behalf of the Salvation Army - to raise awareness about modern slavery

Today marks Anti-Slavery Day and The Salvation Army hopes this initiative will encourage the public to spot the signs of slavery and human trafficking.

Most common forms of modern slavery include forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic enslavement and criminal exploitation.

Anne Read, Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery at The Salvation Army said: "The people we support have been tricked, lied to, trapped, threatened, traded and abused. Frequently they arrive at a safe house with no belongings or documents, untreated health problems and injuries, often as a direct result of being trafficked, and are often extremely traumatised.

"We believe the public will want to help when they realise there are two very simple things they can do to make a change - the first is learning to recognise the signs that something might be modern slavery and reporting it."

For more information on how to spot the signs that someone is a victim of modern slavery and who to contact as well as how to take part in #askthequestion please visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/askthequestion

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