We are thrilled to announce CeAnEx Director Louise Brown won a Marsh Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Fight Against Modern Slavery, in the Reducing Vulnerabilities (Advocacy Award) category. Louise is an academic, senior lecturer, author, field work practitioner, strategist and specialist in this area of work. Louise was one of two inspirational colleagues nominated for an award, alongside our Head of Modern Slavery Outreach Services Rose Makilagi.
Louise and the CeAnEx team initially help people when they are at their most vulnerable, require support with basic needs like food and shelter and can be fearful for their lives. Once she has gained their trust, she works tirelessly and relentlessly on longer-term outcomes for each victim/survivor. The analysis that the CeAnEx service develops as a result of these interventions helps organisations nationwide to better understand trafficking and exploitation. From Louise’s on-the-ground observations and her capturing of client voices, to her investigations into the recruitment of victims in their home countries, Louise’s evidence-based research is providing a more up-to-date and accurate picture of what is a rapidly-moving, international crime issue. Louise feels strongly that by only understanding the background and structural issues of modern slavery can we improve
outcomes for survivors.
Sara Ward, CEO of Black Country Women’s Aid said:
“Louise is flexible and responsive often dropping everything to accompany the police to a suspected sex work location where there may be vulnerable women. This goes beyond office hours and she will respond to connect with the women at any time of the day or night, including over the Christmas period.
“Even after working long hours, Louise finds the time to learn Romanian to help win the trust of Romanian victims, currently the largest national grouping of trafficked women involved in sex work in the West Midlands.
“As an academic, Louise understands that there also needs to be quality evidence-based, practice-led research and skilfully combines her passion for direct work with women and academic status to make change.”
The awards were held on Anti-Slavery Day at the Speaker’s House, the official residence of the Speaker of the House of Commons. It was a rare moment of celebration and an opportunity to recognise our peers doing incredible, life-changing work. More details here.
