The UK’s new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons visited Unseen’s Bristol office to find out more about our charity’s services and initiatives. 

On 1 February 2024, Lyons heard from staff about Unseen’s support for victims through our safehouses and work in the community, our 24/7 Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, and the services we provide to businesses, helping to prevent worker exploitation. 

Speaking on her new position and our work at Unseen, Lyons said: “The role has been vacant for 18 months which is why it’s important for me to visit charities across the sector.  

“I’ve been heartened by what I’ve learned. There is so much good practice happening. I want to share that knowledge across Whitehall where there may not be that understanding of what charities are experiencing and the support they are providing. My role is to ensure people outside the sector are hearing about this great work.” 

Lyons succeeds Dame Sara Thornton who held the role from 2019 to 2022. 

“It’s a unique year with the general election,” Lyons said. “I would like to see all political parties making clear commitments to protecting victims and bringing criminals to justice. 

“I would also like to see a reversal of the downward trend we’ve experienced in the UK. We were world-leading in modern slavery with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and have taken regressive steps since then. I would like us to make progress towards being world-leading once again.” 

The Commissioner’s remit is to encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of modern slavery offences.

They work directly with statutory agencies, who have a duty to co-operate with the commissioner as set out in the Modern Slavery Act. 

Lyons added: “It’s been great visiting Unseen. The Helpline is Unseen’s superpower – it is helping victims and providing vital signposting at a point when they need it.” 

Andrew Wallis, Unseen CEO, said: “We were delighted to welcome Ms Lyons and discuss with her the difference we and partner charities in the sector are making as we work towards a world without slavery. 

“The challenges ahead are significant, with exploitation prevalent in so many sectors and in every town and city in the UK.

“We look forward to working with Ms Lyons and our partners on raising modern slavery up the political agenda and making the UK a hostile environment for criminals and human traffickers, not victims of exploitation.”