Anti-Slavery Day is a commemoration in the United Kingdom held on 18 October to raise awareness about modern slavery and human trafficking.
History In 2008, the United Kingdom adopted 23 August, the UNESCO International Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, as the national focal date for commemorating the end of the slave trade.
Legislation The Anti-Slavery Day Act 2010 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which was passed to establish Anti-Slavery Day. It was introduced by the MP Anthony Steen as a private member's bill.
The act describes the purpose of anti-slavery day in the following terms:The act defines modern slavery as including sex trafficking, child trafficking, trafficking for forced labour, domestic servitude.
The law only extends to England and Wales, but the day has been observed in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The law did not specify which date would be designated, but allowed the government to specify it. To coincide with the EU Anti-Trafficking Day, 18 October was chosen by the government in September 2010.
Commemoration
Anti-Slavery Day Awards The Anti-Slavery Day Awards are organised by the Human Trafficking Foundation, which was founded by Anthony Steen.
BBC In 2018, the BBC published a series called Why Slavery? on modern sex slavery to coincide with Anti-Slavery Day.
Government of the United Kingdom and devolved administrations The day has been observed by the government of the United Kingdom.
The day has been observed by the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Further developments To coincide with Anti-Slavery Day 2012, a consultation on a draft human trafficking law was published in August 2012. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 was passed with the goal of protecting individuals who are trafficked and held against their will.
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