The Inaugural East Barnet Social Justice Lecture will take place on Tuesday 22nd April, when the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire, Dr Timothy Brain, will speak on Sex Trafficking: 21st Century Slavery? The lecture is organized by the East Barnet Anglican-Methodist Partnership and begins at 8pm at St Mary’s Church, Church Hill Rd EN4.

Sex Trafficking has recently been highlighted as a local issue by an investigation commissioned by Enfield Council, and affects many communities in north London. Dr Brain has been Chief Constable of Gloucestershire since 2001 and is the spokesperson for the Association of Chief Police Officers on prostitution and related vice matters, taking a leading part in framing the government’s policy dealing with child prostitution.

Speaking on behalf of the Anglican-Methodist Partnership, Fr Richard Watson said: “We are very pleased that Dr Brain and Helen Bamber are able to be with us to help highlight this major issue. Human trafficking is an unseen evil, and on our doorsteps almost every day. Last year marked the bicenteniary of the abolition of the slave trade. This year we need to bring home to people the reality of slavery today.”

Helen Bamber will also be at the event with information on ‘The Journey’ art installation – created by a group of renowned artists under the leadership of Sam Roddick and actor Emma Thompson. The Helen Bamber Foundation is a UK-based human rights organization established as a charity in April 2005, providing medical consultation, therapeutic care, human rights advocacy and practical support to survivors of gross human rights violations and other forms of extreme cruelty. Those served come from over 70 countries, and are survivors of torture, domestic violence, honour killings, genocide and rape. Helen is also the founder of the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture.

22/04/08

St Mary’s Church, Church Hill Rd EN4

8pm

Further information is available at www.stmarys-eastbarnet.org.uk or on 020 8361 7524.