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Today, both the Victims' Commissioner for England + Wales and the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner spoke out about CICA failings outlined by @AfterExpProject
Survivors are turned away, inconsistently recorded or not told about compensation at all:
afterexploitation.com/wp-con…
🚨Modern slavery survivors are being turned away from compensation
After Exploitation FOIs showed at least 82% of applications (1 Jan 23 - 23 June 24) were refused
@UKAntiSlavery called this "horrendous and a clear failing":
independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho… via @Holly_JoyB @Independent
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
📣 OUT TODAY 📣
Ready, Willing & Able: The cost of not allowing survivors in the NRM to work.
Thousands of survivors are not allowed to work while waiting years for a decision. This new series shows how the UK has missed a trick by not letting them work
kalayaan.org.uk/campaign-pos…
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
Similarly, the Illegal Migration Act now treats survivors as criminals for crossing borders, despite the fact many are forced, deceived or coerced to do so against their will *because* they have been trafficked.
The Gov must rethink the way it puts survivors under the microscope
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
The Nationality & Borders Act introduced unrealistic evidential burdens on victims of modern slavery. The law discredits survivors for not providing evidence 'quickly enough', even where they've had no lawyer or support. Victims' criminal records are weaponised to deny them help
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
Great to hear that the Government is committed to making quicker decisions on modern slavery cases.
However, ensuring decisions are fair - and survivors get meaningful support whilst in the system - is also key. Regressive laws harming support outcomes must be addressed. 🧵
"Survivors are having to wait far too long to receive the support they deserve and the recognition that they are victims of modern slavery."
Read more IASC's comments here: tinyurl.com/2urjnkj8
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
We may not have won best opinion piece at the @HumanTraffFdn awards for our @BigIssue piece, but it was heartening to hear winner @jessphillips promise to "never ever again treat [survivors] like they're the problem"
A huge thanks to those who nominated us💕
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United Utilities illegally dumped 140 million litres of raw sewage into one of England's most famous lakes - Windermere - over 3 yrs, the BBC can reveal
The firm failed to report most of it bbc.com/news/articles/cdrj70…
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
A woman was sent back to prison for 3 months – earlier this year – as she missed a probation appointment 20 years ago.
She now has 2 young children who went 12 weeks without their mum.
Meanwhile, she lost her full-time job, despite committing no crime since.
Is this justice?
I'm a human rights advocate, with a focus on modern slavery. Here's what happened when I asked the @ukhomeoffice for all the information they hold on me...
Buckle up🧵
Nothing. They haven't responded to the Subject Access Request. It's been nearly five months.
FYI @JennaCorderoy @OpenRightsGroup
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
My friend Natasha has been missing for 7 days
She is 55 yr old transwoman, last seen in Soho on Friday at 2am wearing a white Chanel suit.
I am asking if any editors or publications would be up for reposting or perhaps covering a small news story about her disappearance 🙏
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
Nearly half of repeat modern slavery referrals are for children, according to data we secured from the Home Office.
Along with @ChildrensComm and @ECPATUK, we explained how vulnerable child victims are left vulnerable:
theguardian.com/world/2024/s…
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
And our friends in the advocacy category, including @ATLEUnit's legal work for access to rights, @marissadb1225's years of support for migrant domestic workers with @thevoiceofdws, and @Messlemont's work highlighting the gaps in slavery support systems with @AfterExpProject
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
Really touched by those who nominated After Exploitation's @Messlemont for the @HumanTraffFdn award for reducing vulnerability this year, alongside the impactful @marissadb1225 of @thevoiceofdws and @ATLEUnit.
static1.squarespace.com/stat…
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
Just in case you missed it: they WITHDREW the staff from the Rotherham hotel in advance of it being attacked & set fire to. But they left the people seeking asylum there to be attacked.
This data is the tip of the iceberg.
Survivors forced into criminal activity are often treated as perps 1st, victims 2nd.
Imprisonment is a huge barrier to recovery, and shows how the current criminal justice system simply cannot identify or navigate vulnerability⤵️
🔴 NEW EXCLUSIVE 🔴
Hundreds of modern slavery victims were in prison in the 15 months leading up to June this year, an exclusive investigation by me @openDemocracy and After Exploitation @Messlemont can reveal...
Great to see @BIDdetention challenge a Home Office FOI refusal and win! Important data on emergency travel docs was denied on grounds of international relations, with support of @ICOnews.
Tribunal said there is wider pattern of disengagement with FOIA
freemovement.org.uk/tribunal…
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
Unbelievably, people with insecure immigration status are *still* expected to attend in-person reporting, despite far-right attacks.
Along with so many others, we're calling for in-person reporting to be suspended:
afterexploitation.com/2024/0…
Action by @migrantsorg @Right_to_Remain
MayaEsslemont.Bsky.Social retweeted
"We urgently need action to ensure that local authorities have the right resources to ensure those under threat of attack in asylum accommodation, refugee services and places of worship are properly protected."
We have signed @RefugeeTogether's statement👇togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/…
