Emmerdale to air special episode focusing on modern slavery – The Independent

Media Initiative Addresses Modern Slavery in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Televised Storyline as a Vehicle for SDG Advocacy

The ITV production Emmerdale has developed a special episode focusing on the issue of modern slavery, a direct effort to raise public awareness and contribute to the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In partnership with The Salvation Army, the initiative highlights the realities of forced labour, aligning with global targets for justice, equality, and decent work.

Narrative Analysis and Correlation with SDG 8

The storyline centers on the character Bear Wolf, whose exploitation serves as a case study in modern slavery. This narrative directly addresses the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), particularly Target 8.7, which calls for immediate measures to eradicate forced labour and end modern slavery.

Stages of Exploitation Depicted:

1. Grooming and Deception: The character is lured with offers of work, board, and lodging, demonstrating a common tactic used by traffickers.
2. Exploitation and Control: Following an injury, the character becomes frail and is brought entirely under the control of his captors, illustrating the cycle of dependency and exploitation.
3. Isolation: The character is cut off from his family, a key method used to maintain control over victims of modern slavery.

Focus on Vulnerable Populations and SDG 10

The initiative underscores how modern slavery disproportionately affects vulnerable individuals, a critical concern of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The report from actor Joshua Richards identifies specific groups who are targeted prey for criminal exploitation.

Identified At-Risk Groups:

• The disadvantaged and dispossessed
• Individuals with mental health issues or disabilities
• The elderly and lonely
• Other vulnerable people neglected by society

By portraying the entrapment of an older character, the storyline challenges common perceptions and highlights the broad scope of vulnerability, reinforcing the need for inclusive social protections as outlined in the SDGs.

Strategic Partnership and SDG 17

The collaboration between ITV’s Emmerdale and The Salvation Army exemplifies the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This partnership leverages the unique strengths of each organization to achieve a common objective.

1. ITV (Emmerdale): Utilizes its extensive media platform and rural setting to tell a compelling story, dispelling myths that such crimes only occur in urban environments and making the issue relatable to a wide audience.
2. The Salvation Army: Provides expert knowledge and invaluable support to ensure the authentic and accurate portrayal of modern slavery, lending credibility and guiding the narrative’s educational impact. Kathy Betteridge, the organization’s director of anti-trafficking, confirmed that such storylines help the public recognize the signs of exploitation.

Conclusion: Advancing Justice and Public Awareness through Media

This television episode serves as a significant tool for public education on forced labour, a widespread but hidden crime. By illustrating the mechanisms of this “abominable trade,” the initiative supports the aims of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by empowering the public to identify and report suspected cases of modern slavery. The storyline’s focus on authenticity and its foundation in a strategic partnership demonstrate a powerful model for how media can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article’s central theme is “modern slavery” and “forced labour,” which are direct violations of the principles of decent work. The story of Bear, who is lured with the promise of “work” only to be exploited and controlled, exemplifies the antithesis of decent work and economic empowerment.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article explicitly states that victims of this exploitation are often “the disadvantaged, dispossessed, those with mental health issues or disabilities, the old, lonely and vulnerable people.” This highlights how modern slavery preys upon and exacerbates existing inequalities within society.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Modern slavery is a severe crime and a profound injustice. The article describes it as an “abominable trade of human bondage.” The storyline, created in collaboration with The Salvation Army, aims to strengthen society’s ability to combat this crime by raising public awareness, which is a step towards achieving justice for victims and strengthening institutional responses. The mention of an “interlinked county lines drug story” also points to organized crime and the exploitation of individuals, which falls under this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking.
   • The article is entirely focused on this target. It discusses a TV storyline designed to “educate and highlight this abominable trade” and “expose the brutal truth” about modern slavery and forced labour, which it describes as “widespread.” The collaboration with The Salvation Army is an “effective measure” to raise public awareness, a crucial step in eradication efforts.
2. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.
   • The narrative described in the article is a clear violation of this target. Bear is lured into a situation that is the opposite of a safe and secure working environment; he becomes “injured, frail, and entirely under the control of his captors.” This illustrates the extreme dangers faced by those in precarious situations.
3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • The article identifies the specific groups targeted for exploitation: “the old, lonely and vulnerable people,” as well as those with “mental health issues or disabilities.” This directly relates to the need to protect and empower these groups who are being socially and economically excluded and victimized due to their status.
4. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • While the main character discussed is an adult, the article explicitly mentions the “interlinked county lines drug story that we have been telling with April and Dylan.” County lines operations are a form of trafficking and exploitation that notoriously involves children and young people, making this target highly relevant.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Prevalence of forced labour and modern slavery
   • The article implies this as a key indicator by stating that slavery is “alive and well, indeed prospering” and that forced labour is “one of the most hidden, but widespread forms of modern slavery in the UK today.” Progress would be measured by a reduction in the number of victims of this “abominable trade.”
2. Public awareness and recognition of modern slavery
   • The article states that the storyline helps “the public recognise what modern slavery really looks like and how vital it is to act when something doesn’t feel right.” An implied indicator of success for this awareness campaign would be an increase in public reporting of suspected cases to authorities or organizations like The Salvation Army.
3. Number of exploited persons from vulnerable groups
   • The article identifies specific vulnerable populations as “perfect prey” (e.g., the old, lonely, those with mental health issues or disabilities). An indicator for measuring inequality and exploitation would be the number and proportion of victims identified from these specific demographic groups.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: independent.co.uk