CAMPAIGNERS silently marched through a city centre resulting in “eyes being opened to the sad reality” of human trafficking in the modern world.

Walk For Freedom activists took to the streets of Colchester on Saturday in protest against the illegal movement of people for exploitation.

Dressed in all black, the 15 campaigners who took part in the demonstration met at Castle Park before embarking on a slow stroll around the castle and the city.

During the walk the protesters handed out flyers and held aloft banners highlighting key facts about human trafficking and information on how to report it.

Alice Clements, who helped organise the walk, said: “This walk is a sign of hope. It will help raise awareness of this issue and help end slavery everywhere, forever.

“The response from onlookers was encouraging. People stopped to take flyers, asked questions and read the signs we were holding.

“Lots of onlookers were saying they had never heard of this and seemed shocked by the statistics they were shown - they were also asking how they could help this cause.

“It was encouraging to see eyes being opened to the sad reality, but it was also encouraging to see that as we raise awareness, we can have hope change will come.

The walk in Colchester was held as part of the worldwide A21 campaign, which strives to abolish slavery across the glove.

The charity’s aim is to completely eradicate human trafficking through raising awareness, intervention, and aftercare.

Alice, who is a volunteer, added: “There are more people living in slavery today than there has ever been in history.

“Human trafficking is often in the form of sex trafficking, forced labour, involuntary domestic servitude and child soldiers. If you suspect it, report it.”

To find out more information about the A21 Campaign visit a21.org/report.