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Epstein and Al Fayed cases: the focus must remain on survivors​

Media attention may centre on powerful figures, but the priority must be survivors. Their protection and support should guide every response.

The parallels between the Epstein and Al Fayed cases are deeply troubling. Both these cases should be seen as stark reminders that trafficking can happen anywhere, not just across borders, and it can thrive in environments where power, wealth and status go unchecked.

Survivors have too often been ignored, silenced, or failed by the very institutions and systems that should have protected them. These cases highlight how abuse is not necessarily ‘hidden’ but is frequently enabled by cultures of complicity, fear, reputation management, and a reluctance to challenge the powerful, hold perpetrators to account and provide adequate support and justice for victims.

Our focus must remain on survivors: listening to them, supporting them, and ensuring justice and safeguarding apply everywhere and to everyone no matter how influential the perpetrator may be.

Everyone has a role to play in preventing modern slavery and protecting vulnerable people.

You can:

  • Learn the signs of modern slavery and trafficking, including coercion, control, and exploitation in workplaces, homes, and communities.
  • Deepen your knowledge by reading about the types of modern slavery that exist and the true definition of human trafficking.
  • Speak up and challenge safeguarding issues in your workplace or local area.
  • Support ethical organisations that actively mitigate risks in their operations and supply chains.
  • Report concerns safely through official channels, including first responder agencies and the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline by calling 08000 121 700.
  • Advocate for survivor-centred policies and awareness in your networks, helping to strengthen prevention and accountability.

These cases must drive meaningful change, stronger accountability, and survivor-centred protections across society.

By acting collectively, we can help create environments where exploitation cannot thrive.

Related stories

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Justine Currell

As I came to understand more about the issue, including through a visit to an Unseen safehouse, I knew I needed to do more to stop this abuse and exploitation.

For the last five years of my Civil Service career, I was the Modern Slavery Senior Policy Advisor in the Home Office and led on development of the Modern Slavery Act, including the transparency in supply chains provision and business guidance.

I joined Unseen to lead the development of the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, and Unseen’s work with businesses. I am regularly called upon to present at national and international conferences and use my experience of working with Ministers to influence other governments internationally to take action to address modern slavery and, in particular, business supply chain issues.

In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, music, reading and travelling.

Andrew Wallis

What ultimately compelled me to act was a report on how people from Eastern Europe were being trafficked through Bristol airport to the USA. Kate Garbers, who went on to be an Unseen Director, and I wrote to all the city councillors, MPs and the Police Chief Constable challenging them on the issue. The challenge came back to us: this city needs safe housing for trafficked women. And so Unseen began.

But we never wanted Unseen to be just about safe housing. We wanted to end slavery once and for all, and that remains our driving focus.

I chaired the working group for the Centre for Social Justice’s landmark report “It Happens Here: Equipping the United Kingdom to Fight Modern Slavery”. This is now acknowledged as the catalyst behind the UK’s Modern Slavery Act of 2015. It was a great honour to be awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours that year. On the other hand, I’ve also been described as “the loveliest disrupter you could ever hope to meet”.

This job has taken me from building flat-pack furniture for safehouses, to working with businesses to address slavery in supply chains, to delivering training, raising awareness and advising governments around the world.

When not at work, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my dog Harley, cooking, supporting Liverpool and Yorkshire CC, music (I’m a former DJ) and endurance events such as the Three Peaks Challenge and Tribe Freedom Runs – which I vow never to do again. Until the next time.