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afterexploitation.bsky.social
After Exploitation
@afterexploitation.bsky.social
450 followers 320 following 29 posts
Tracking 'hidden' data on modern slavery and exploitation in the UK. Our briefing on survivors' access to compensation is now live ⬇️

www.afterexploitation.com
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afterexploitation.bsky.social
Only 4% of adults referred as victims of modern slavery get counselling through the Home Office-funded scheme for survivors.

In theory, survivors can get counselling via the NHS, but many are dismissed or face long delays:

afterexploitation.com/2025/06/11/m...

#UK #politics #news #uknews
June 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
"Emphasis on one ‘type’ of victim stops survivors coming forward"

After Exploitation commissioned mental health advocate and survivor, Kate Elysia, to work with an artist illustrating her perspectives on exploitation.

Read the interview with Kate here ⤵️

afterexploitation.com/2025/05/23/b...
May 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
Mimi Jalmasco speaking at the joint #SurvivorFutures webinar w/ VODW, @ilpaimmigration.bsky.social @kalayaan.org.uk @kingsartshums.bsky.social:

"The best way to prevent re-trafficking of migrant domestic workers is reinstating our visa rights. The right to change employers and have real protection"
May 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
[Webinar - Survivors only]

Tomorrow, we're joining Survivor Alliance to host a webinar on changes to sexual exploitation definitions in the UK. We'll cover:

▪️What the changes mean
▪️How they may impact survivors
▪️How we can campaign against the changes

Sign up here: forms.gle/7rb5pgYbbyJw...
April 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
Each year, hundreds of modern slavery survivors are held in UK prisons. Many more get criminal records.

How are so many opportunities to identify and support victim-survivors of trafficking / slavery being missed?

Our fact sheet with Hibiscus explains:

afterexploitation.com/2025/04/15/f...
April 15, 2025 at 10:09 AM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
The label 'sexual exploitation' is gate kept from survivors seeking help.

Yet, when it comes to raids + enforcement, the term is being applied to consenting sex workers.

Webinar on this tomorrow, 4pm GMT ⤵️
www.freedomunited.org/laws-to-address-sex-trafficking/
@freedomunitedhq.bsky.social
Alt text: White background with block font, the first sentence in hot pink, the second in black. In the top right-hand corner, logos of Freedom United, After Exploitation and Decrim Now. Text: Definitions of sexual exploitation are changing. But not in a way that helps survivors. White background strip covered by text, flanked by two halves of an image of two hands holding, blurred in hot pink Text: More survivors turned away. In the UK, Government guidance on support only recognises sexual exploitation and child sexual exploitation if there are multiple victims, multiple perpetrators, or ‘grooming’ takes place. This guidance change - made last year - is in our view unlawful and prevents victims from getting help. Victims are still survivors, regardless of gang involvement or the methods of control used. White background strip covered by text, flanked by two halves of an image of a police officer writing a ticket, blurred in hot pink Text: More policing. On the flipside, some politicians keep conflating sexual exploitation with all sex work in policing settings. Yet most sex workers reject this label. It is vital to recognise that survivors and sex workers have different experiences and needs. The tactic is clear: when it comes to offering support, the government won’t recognise survivors. When it comes to enforcement, raids and policing, the government is keen to label almost any sex worker as a possible victim.
March 18, 2025 at 10:02 AM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
This #InternationalWomensDay, we're celebrating the contributions of survivor women, and calling for an end to the disbelief, lottery of support, misinformation, and barriers to work they still face.

Read our full statement here:

afterexploitation.com/2025/03/08/i...

#AcceleratedAction #IWD2025
Lilac, sans serif text on a white background: "RECOGNISING SURVIVORS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY". In the top right-hand corner, a white version fo the After Exploitation logo - a hand-drawn rising sun flanked by the words 'After Exploitation' - is in a black circle. Background: Black and white newspaper-print style image of a woman with long black hair looking to her side. Text on white box in centre of the image: Survivors still face disbelief. Under the Nationality and Borders Act, survivors now have to provide more evidence sooner in order to get basic forms of support. Other survivors are barred from help because of their immigration status or offending history. Even worse, new Home Office guidance says sexual exploitation is ‘less likely’ to have happened if there aren’t multiple perpetrators or victims involved. Reversing these measures alone could uphold the rights of thousands of women and girls currently at risk of slipping through the net after modern slavery. Background: Black and white newspaper-print style image of a teacher tied back hair and round circular glasses writing words on a whiteboard. Text on white box in centre of the image: LANGUAGE MATTERS Women and girls can be exploited in any industry, just as men and boys may can be victims of sexual exploitation. Avoiding stereotypes helps us to improve understanding of the complexity of exploitation and ensure all of us - including professionals and survivors themselves - can recognise it. It is important not to conflate sexual exploitation with all sex work, as these are not the same and both groups have needs specific to their experiences. Background: Black and white newspaper-print style image of a white woman with blonde hair speaking into a megaphone alongside a taller black woman with afro hair in dungarees, chanting at a protest. Text on white box in centre of the image: Woman survivors are a force for change. In our experience, many are exposing injustice and pushing for survivor inclusion in campaigns and political life. Yet, immigration restrictions and criminalisation prevent many survivors from working in the very sectors trying to represent them.
March 8, 2025 at 9:56 AM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
Now more than ever, we need this statement on grooming narratives.

Today, we are joined by 70+ survivors, academics, charities and experts on exploitation calling an end to damaging stereotypes and the start of real support for victims and survivors:

afterexploitation.com/2025/01/15/j...
January 16, 2025 at 6:25 PM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
We're looking for a freelancer to help us! Could it be you?

You'll play a vital role in helping After Exploitation highlight injustice facing survivors of exploitation, by supporting our investigations, research and campaigns.

Deadline 27th December 2024:

afterexploitation.com/2024/12/06/o...
December 6, 2024 at 11:36 AM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
Modern slavery and trafficking survivors have to 'prove' they have been exploited, in order to get help or legal rights.

As of last year, survivors are expected to provide even more evidence, much earlier in their recovery.

As the data shows, many are now being turned away due to evidential issues
December 5, 2024 at 10:07 AM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
The After Exploitation November newsletter is live.
This month's update includes:

✔️ Changes on the way we do social media
✔️ Our partnership on re-trafficking evidence
✔️ A much-needed fact sheet on definitions of sexual exploitation and sex work

Read the updates ⤵️

mailchi.mp/12efc7211275...
November 30, 2024 at 5:30 PM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
Too often, sex workers are branded en masse as 'victims of sexual exploitation'.

Sexual exploitation is a complex issue. Using the term wrongly has a real-world impact on survivors.

Our joint briefing here:
afterexploitation.com/wp-content/u...

@anti-slavery.bsky.social @drellac.bsky.social
All graphics use black sans serif block font against a background image of pink crumpled paper. Text: Why is it dangerous to call all sex work ‘modern slavery’? Modern slavery, including trafficking, is a serious and complex crime. Survivors have support needs and rights which are specific to what they have gone through. Professionals need to be aware of the differences between sex work and modern slavery, in order to provide appropriate support to both groups. READ THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND SEX WORK FACT SHEET. All logos are included at the bottom: After Exploitation, Anti Slavery International, Decrim Now, English Collective of Prostitutes, Freedom United and UCL Jill Dando Institute of Security and Crime Science.
November 21, 2024 at 10:11 AM
afterexploitation.bsky.social
'Re-trafficking' is when someone is severely exploited more than once.

Re-trafficking is often enabled by a lack of support & immigration security.

We're joining Voice of Domestic Workers, Kalayaan, & @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social to promote evidence on the issue:

www.kcl.ac.uk/research/sur...
All posts have a crumpled paper background, with text on top of it, and the After Exploitation logo in black and white in the top right-hand corner. Text is a sans-serif block font. WHAT IS RE-TRAFFICKING? Re-trafficking is when survivors of modern slavery are exploited more than once. Re-trafficking can be caused by: 🔸 Inconsistent support: Not all survivors can access safe housing, legal aid, mental health support, or financial support when they come forward. This allows exploiters to continue targeting them. 🔸 Return: Survivors may be forced to return to where the exploitation first started. Factors such as financial hardship or stigma upon return makes it easy for traffickers to exploit them again. 🔸Missed opportunities for protection: Survivors may not be able to come forward and report abuse the first time, due to concerns they will be punished for their immigration status or crimes they were forced to commit. They may fear repercussions from traffickers. WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE SHOW SO FAR? 2,018 potential victims of modern slavery have been referred as survivors more than once. Campaigners warn they may have been exploited multiple times due to authorities missing opportunities to support. One person had been referred as many as seven times. WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE SHOW SO FAR? of overseas domestic workers who were returned to the Philippines said they would re-emigrate despite the risk of destitution and exploitation. Source: Outcomes for survivors of trafficking who return to the Philippines, Kings College London and Voice of Domestic Workers PARTNERSHIP: SURVIVOR FUTURES Alongside the Voice of Domestic Workers, King’s College London, and Kalayaan, After Exploitation is working to shed a light on the risk of ‘re-trafficking’ amongst overseas domestic workers in the UK. In the coming months, we will be sharing resources for survivors and their advocates to draw on, including data, survivor-led research, and qualitative studies.
November 20, 2024 at 4:17 PM