Soroptimist International of Tenby and District have been congratulated by the Mayor of Tenby on the organisation’s on-going programme to raise awareness of modern slavery.

Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane presented a certificate on behalf of the town council and the people of Tenby to Soroptimist International Tenby programme action officer for modern slavery Dr. Anne Kelly, president Iris Davies and fellow member Lindsay Oeppen this week, in recognition of the organisation’s campaign to end modern slavery over the past 10 years.

This summer SI Tenby was mentioned in a report given at the United Nations, for their pioneering work on increasing awareness of modern slavery since 2007. This work has contributed to the Welsh Government’s sterling efforts to prevent the crime in Wales.

Later, the regional body for Soroptimist International, SI Wales South, joined in the campaign, though by then Tenby had already lobbied local MPs and Westminster Parliament campaigning for new legislation to abolish this crime, maintaining local momentum by holding forums, competitions and various fund raising events involving many of Tenby’s schools and organisations in its work for the support of victims and the introduction of new laws.

These laws have materialised in the new Modern Slavery Act and the Legislation for Transparency in the Supply Chain of Goods (2015 and 2016).

However, the crime is still escalating all over the UK, with currently 300 on-going police crime cases throughout the country.

SI Wales South will continue their work with the Dyfed-Powys Police Forum, led by CDI Ross Evans, to help eradicate this heinous crime, along with representatives of the health authorities, BAWSO, Barnardos Wales and the Pembrokeshire hoteliers.

In addition, Michael Smith regional community cohesion co-ordinator for Pembrokeshire, has implemented a policy for all the county councils in order to help tackle modern slavery.

Please visit http://sigbi.tenby for more information about SI Tenby.