14 Oct Essex TV stars Maisie Smith and Cliff Parisi front new modern slavery campaign
Two of Essex’s most recognisable residents have teamed up with fellow film and TV stars to front a major new modern slavery campaign. Westcliff-on-Sea’s Maisie Smith and Saffron Walden’s Cliff Parisi have joined forces with modern slavery charity Causeway, and celebrities including Julie Hesmondhalgh and Kerry Godliman, for their Stand With Survivors campaign.
Modern slavery cases in the South East have been increasing year-on-year. In 2023, London accounted for 45% and the wider South East counties accounted for 12% of all referrals for modern slavery support, through the government’s National Referral Mechanism. This made both London and the South East the areas in England and Wales where the highest number of new modern slavery victims had been identified.
It is estimated that over 50 million people worldwide are currently trapped in modern slavery and exploitation, with over 100,000 of those in the UK. Survivors in the UK will most commonly have experienced labour exploitation, sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation.
Now Westcliff-on-Sea based TV star Maisie Smith, 23, has teamed up with the UK modern slavery charity Causeway, to front their new campaign called Stand With Survivors. Maisie is best known for the role of Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders, which she played from 2008 to 2022, and for reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020.
Joining Maisie is fellow former EastEnders’ actor and Saffron Walden resident Cliff Parisi, 64. Cliff played the role of Minty Peterson in EastEnders from 2002 to 2010, and since 2014 has been starring as handyman Fred Buckle in Call the Midwife. He has also had roles in Outnumbered, Plebs and Hollyoaks.
The Survivors: Life Beyond Exploitation campaign aims to increase awareness around modern slavery, and educate the public about the signs to look out for which indicate somebody may be experiencing modern slavery and exploitation.
In a special film that has been produced for the campaign, Maisie explains how modern slavery is “likely to involve emotional coercion through fear and manipulation”. She goes on to say how Causeway “believe everybody should be free to live”. Cliff adds that “signs of modern slavery can be nuanced and hard to spot”, and urges the audience to “stand with survivors”.
Other celebrities fronting Causeway’s Stand With Survivors campaign alongside Maisie and Cliff, include BAFTA-nominee and Mr Bates vs the Post Office actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, stand-up comedian and After Life star Kerry Godliman, and chef and Great British Menu host Andi Oliver.
Maisie Smith said: “I am proud to be standing with Causeway and alongside survivors of modern slavery. The survivors Causeway support have been through such awful experiences, which most of us couldn’t imagine. However coming together, standing alongside survivors, and showing we care and support them, is so important.”
Julie Hesmondhalgh said: “Causeway support some of the most marginalised people in our society. Their experiences and voices are all too often not heard or valued. I am honoured to be involved with this Stand With Survivors campaign, and hope it will shine a much-needed spotlight on modern slavery, and help towards creating lasting change for the brave survivors affected by it.”
Kerry Godliman said: “I was horrified to learn just how prevalent modern slavery is, and so supporting Causeway’s Stand With Survivors campaign was a no brainer. This campaign is all about us coming together and standing alongside survivors who have been affected. These are people just like me and you, and people who deserve the same dignity, freedom and care.”
Andi Oliver said: “Slavery is not only a dark lesson from history. Modern slavery can affect anybody anywhere. It is estimated that over 100,000 people in the UK are currently trapped in modern slavery and exploitation. I stand with survivors, will you stand with me?”
Edwin Buckley, Head of Communications and Engagement at Causeway, said: “We are so grateful to have Maisie and Cliff joining our star-studded line-up to front Causeway’s Stand With Survivors campaign. Modern slavery does not discriminate, anybody could find themselves affected by it, and statistics show it continues to be on the rise in the UK. Having these celebrities working with us to raise awareness and advocate against modern slavery is so impactful. The campaign is encouraging everybody to ‘stand with survivors’, and show our allyship, care and support for those who have been, or who are currently being, affected by modern slavery.”
