A WEST Devon man has been presented with a national accolade for his work in raising awareness of modern day slavery through community events.

Robert Alexander, from Sydenham near Lewdown, has won ‘outstanding individual’ in the Marsh Awards for community activism in combatting modern slavery as well as a £500 donation to support work locally.

Robert is just one person in the anti-slavery network working hard in the South West. He leads the Devon and Cornwall section of the international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Stop the Traffik. He has been collaborating with charity Unchosen —which uses films to create innovative DVD resources used at events and training around the country to raise awareness of modern slavery — for many years and in a variety of different ways. He has partnered Unchosen at two events in rural areas, including Tavistock, promoting and helping to run events.

The national ‘Oscars’, awarded by the chairman of the Marsh Christian Trust, recognises those who have hosted outstanding modern slavery events in the last year, using Unchosen’s films and resources.

Accepting his award. Robert drew attention to the power of film as a medium for change to drive innovating ways to educate individuals on modern slavery’s impact within the UK economy.

Running from Lands End to beyond Bristol and Bath, the South West anti-slavery partnership includes police services from both Devon and Cornwall and Avon and Somerset, NGOs, local and county councils and the NHS.

Robert said: ‘You can rest assured that this very generous donation of £50 will go a long way in helping to raise the awareness of this serious organised crime and, I hope, will make the South West a hostile environment for traffickers to operate in.’

A member of the voluntary team that supports Robert, Chris Taylor, said: ‘Any drive in tackling modern slavery needs a well-informed and energetically supportive community.

‘Here we have Robert, in a purely voluntary role, harnessing that on our patch. Sorting out the complexities and challenge of winning the evidence from victims is a hard path and it’s great to have such an individual given the credit in helping us understand that.’

Detective Inspector Ali Lander said: ‘As chair of the Devon and Cornwall Anti-Slavery Partnership I would like to congratulate Robert on this award. Robert plays a key role in our group and works tirelessly to ensure victims of modern slavery are identified and supported in the best way possible.

‘Modern slavery is a crime that is often hidden within society and it is vital that we continue to work hard educating our communities to spot the signs of slavery and report them in order for us to rescue victims and bring offenders to justice.’