Two famous faces from Leeds are coming together for a new LGBTQ+ modern slavery campaign. The Traitors UK star Theo Mayne and Married at First Sight UK’s Matt Jameson are partnering with Yorkshire-based charity Causeway, to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community’s increased risk of modern slavery and human trafficking.
It is estimated that over 50 million people around the world are currently trapped in modern slavery, with more than 100,000 of those in the UK. This can include sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, criminal exploitation and domestic servitude.
Modern slavery charity Causeway are headquartered in Yorkshire and are one of the largest providers of modern slavery support in the UK. They have now joined up with two famous Leeds residents to shine a light on the LGBTQ+ community’s increased risk of modern slavery.
Backing the campaign is The Traitors UK contestant and West Yorkshire cheerleading coach Theo Mayne. He’s joined by Married at First Sight UK star and Leeds Pride host Matt Jameson. The campaign kicks off with Theo and Matt coming together to march at Liverpool Pride on Saturday 27th July.
The increased risk of modern slavery which LGBTQ+ people can face comes from higher levels of vulnerability due to homelessness, mental health issues, violence and abuse, which statistics show disproportionally affects the LGBTQ+ community.
There are 64 counties with laws that criminalise homosexuality. This marginalisation means that LGBTQ+ people around the world affected by sexual exploitation and human trafficking, can be at higher levels than for other people.
In countries where a person’s sexuality puts them in danger, traffickers can use this fear of exposure to coerce their victims into performing sexual acts or into forced labour. They will often then use the fear of arrest to silence them and prevent them from seeking help.
Trafficking gangs will often seek out people without support networks, who are poor, homeless, marginalised, or desperate. LGBTQ+ people who have had to flee difficult or unsafe situations can often fall into these categories.
Other celebrities supporting the campaign are Coronation Street‘s Shelley King, The Traitors UK’s Diane Carson and Miles Asteri, and Married at First Sight UK‘s Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson.
As part of the campaign, Causeway are appealing for donations to help deliver their services for modern slavery survivors. Those in a position to donate can email fundraise@wearecauseway.org.uk or visit www.wearecauseway.org.uk
Theo Mayne, The Traitors UK star, said: “I love the unity and support that the LGBTQ+ community provides for each other, and I don’t ever want anybody to feel left behind. Survivors of modern slavery have been through awful situations, and I’m in awe of the vital work which Causeway do in supporting them to rebuild their lives. Often survivors have lost their support networks and are separated from their loved ones, and LGBTQ+ modern slavery survivors can be particularly isolated and marginalised.”
Matt Jameson, Married at First Sight UK star, said: “Causeway support some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society. The modern slavery survivors they work with have often been through unimageable and horrific experiences. LGBTQ+ people can have a disproportionate risk of being exploited and targeted by traffickers, both in the UK and around the world. Shining a spotlight on this and what many people across the LGBTQ+ community have faced is something I’m both proud to be doing, but also something I feel is essential to raise awareness around this and begin driving vital change.”
Helen Ball, Causeway’s CEO, said: “We are thrilled to have Theo and Matt partnering with Causeway to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community’s increased risk of modern slavery. The voices and experiences of modern slavery survivors are often not heard. Having Theo and Matt using their platforms to help elevate and empower the voices of LGBTQ+ survivors in particular, is something we are very grateful for and which we hope will raise much-needed awareness.
The survivors of modern slavery that Causeway support are still in the very early stages of their recovery journey. We need to raise critical funds each year to help deliver our work, so every penny raised really does make a huge difference. Whether you are able to donate yourself, or would like to fundraise for Causeway, we would love to hear from you.”
