Hope for Justice

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Hope for Justice
Hope for Justice logo, 2021.jpg
Formation2008; 14 years ago (2008)
TypeNon-profit organisation
PurposeEnd human trafficking and modern-day slavery
HeadquartersManchester, England, U.K.
Region served
Cambodia, United Kingdom, United States, Norway, Australia, Ethiopia, Uganda[1]
CEO
Tim Nelson
Websitehopeforjustice.org
Remarks"Hope for Justice, registered charity no. 1126097". Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Hope for Justice is a global non-profit organisation which aims to end human trafficking and modern slavery. It is active in the United Kingdom, United States, Cambodia, Norway, Australia, Ethiopia and Uganda and has its headquarters in Manchester, England.

Hope for Justice seeks to investigate and rescue trafficking victims, assist in aftercare, hold traffickers accountable, and campaign on a wider level to improve awareness and legislation.[2] According to press releases, Hope for Justice has assisted in the rescue of 142 victims of human trafficking as of January 2014.[3] In the financial year 2019-20, Hope for Justice says it reached 102,803 children over 12 months through its outreach and aftercare projects.[4]

Hope for Justice worked with West Midlands Police on the largest modern slavery prosecution in UK history, in which a gang were jailed who were thought to be responsible for trafficking up to 400 victims.[5] Hope for Justice identified the first victims, leading to the whole network being uncovered, and eventually supported scores more.[6]

Hope for Justice was co-founded in 2008 by Rob and Marion White, Ben and Debbie Cooley, Tony and Viv Jackson, Rob Allen, Chris Dacre, Martin Warner and Tim Nelson at an event called "The Stand" at the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham.[7]

In 2014, it merged with and to become a worldwide organization to fight human trafficking.[8] In 2018, the street children charity Retrak, active primarily in African countries, became part of Hope for Justice.[9] Three other organizations have merged with Hope for Justice: Break The Cycle 200;[10] aftercare housing and services provider Lily Pad Haven[11] in Charlotte, North Carolina; and For Freedom[12] in Bergen, Norway.

Dismissal of former CEO[]

Ben Cooley, co-founder and former CEO[]

On 28 May 2021 Hope for Justice announced that co-founder and CEO Ben Cooley's employment had been terminated following an investigation and disciplinary hearing.[13] The charity revealed that although "the allegations were not of a criminal nature and no other members of the leadership team were implicated, they were determined to be serious and the Charity Commission was duly informed."[14] On 3 June 2021 Civil Society News reported a UK Charity Commission spokesperson as saying "The charity has kept us informed throughout the independent investigation. We recently received an update to the serious incident report and are currently assessing this information. We cannot comment further at this time."[15]

Ben Cooley publicly criticised the investigation and disciplinary hearing processes in the charity sector press saying, "I fundamentally disagree with the outcome" and "I wish that the process had been handled better and more consideration had been given to the fact that there was limited evidence available due to the historical nature of the allegation."[16] Cooley also publicly posted on social media "I cannot agree with the decisions recently being made around my leaving Hope for Justice," and also said that it "is time for me to move on."

On 22 June 2021, however, Hope for Justice confirmed that an Appeal Panel had been convened but that they "upheld findings of gross misconduct against Hope for Justice co-founder Ben Cooley after an investigation into his behaviour while in the post of CEO".[17] The charity stated that "In light of its detailed review, the Appeal Panel found no valid or credible challenge had been submitted to any part of the outcome of a Disciplinary Panel hearing held at the end of May 2021. Hope for Justice is therefore able to confirm Mr Cooley’s dismissal."[18]

Commenting on the work of the investigation into Ben Cooley's conduct the charity stated that "The Disciplinary Panel found Mr Cooley’s actions to have amounted to gross misconduct in his behaviour towards several employees over a period of time, as well as irreparable breach of trust and confidence with the organisation. Sensitive personal details are being kept confidential to protect the identities and interests of the complainants and their families." Peter Elson, chair of the trustees at Hope for Justice, said "We are grateful that those affected ultimately felt able to come forward, for the courage they have shown, and that our whistleblowing policy has allowed them to do so discreetly and in confidence. We are committed to learn and grow from this experience and will do all we can to prevent misconduct and to promote a positive, respectful and inclusive environment and culture."[19]

References[]

  1. ^ Kay, Liam (11 January 2018). "Retrak becomes part of Hope for Justice". Third Sector. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  2. ^ "What We Do | Hope For Justice". Hope for Justice. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  3. ^ "BBC News - Charity Hope For Justice helps trafficking victims". BBC News. 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  4. ^ ""Hope For Justice: Teams Run In Gasparilla Classic"". Osprey Observer. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  5. ^ ""Charity and police break up UK's largest modern slavery ring"". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  6. ^ ""Operation Fort: Safeguarding and Multi-Agency Working Debriefing Report"" (PDF). Modern Slavery Police Transformation Unit. October 2019. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  7. ^ ""We now have offices all over the world... we have rescued hundreds of people from modern slavery"". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  8. ^ "Natalie Grant's Anti-Trafficking Organization, Abolition International, Announces Global Merger Forming Hope for Justice | Hope for Justice". hopeforjustice.org. 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  9. ^ "Anti-slavery charities plan merger for 'bigger impact'". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  10. ^ ""Faith and Life Today – Break the Cycle"". Northwestern Media (Life 107.1). Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  11. ^ ""Lily Pad Haven is now part of Hope for Justice"". Lily Pad Haven. Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  12. ^ ""For Freedom Has Merged With Hope For Justice Norway"". For Freedom (cached). Retrieved 2021-05-17.
  13. ^ "Hope for Justice announces new CEO | Hope for Justice". hopeforjustice.org. 2021-05-28. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  14. ^ "Hope for Justice announces new CEO | Hope for Justice". hopeforjustice.org. 2021-05-28. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  15. ^ "CEO leaves charity following complaints about his behaviour from former staff". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  16. ^ "CEO leaves charity following complaints about his behaviour from former staff". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  17. ^ "Hope for Justice dismisses co-founder and CEO Ben Cooley in misconduct investigation | Hope for Justice". hopeforjustice.org. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  18. ^ "Hope for Justice dismisses co-founder and CEO Ben Cooley in misconduct investigation | Hope for Justice". hopeforjustice.org. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  19. ^ "Hope for Justice dismisses co-founder and CEO Ben Cooley in misconduct investigation | Hope for Justice". hopeforjustice.org. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
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