human rights

One call can change a life – from 2–9 December, support Unseen’s Helpline this Christmas

Unseen is back again with its Christmas Big Give appeal. A one week fundraising appeal, this time raising £82,400 for the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline. The Helpline is a lifeline for potential victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation. This free, confidential service is essential in helping people find safety and begin rebuilding their lives.

One call can change a life – from 2–9 December, support Unseen’s Helpline this Christmas

Unseen is back again with its Christmas Big Give appeal. A one week fundraising appeal, this time raising £82,400 for the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline. The Helpline is a lifeline for potential victims of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation. This free, confidential service is essential in helping people find safety and begin rebuilding their lives.

How can we tackle modern slavery in construction?

Graves into Gardens: A survivor’s hopes for the future

This article first appeared in Futures of Work; written by one of our Business Consultants, Brandon Thomas, who brings a unique blend of professional and lived experience to his role at Unseen.

Graves into Gardens: A survivor’s hopes for the future

This article first appeared in Futures of Work; written by one of our Business Consultants, Brandon Thomas, who brings a unique blend of professional and lived experience to his role at Unseen.

The Politics of Distrust: Why the UK Cannot Afford to Dismiss Modern Slavery Claims

Modern slavery in hospitality sector exposed in new report from Unseen

Modern slavery is prevalent in the hospitality sector where almost 550 potential victims of exploitation were indicated between January 2024 and June 2025.

Modern slavery in hospitality sector exposed in new report from Unseen

Modern slavery is prevalent in the hospitality sector where almost 550 potential victims of exploitation were indicated between January 2024 and June 2025.

unseen business awards 2025 shortlist

UK civil society calls for new law to prevent business human rights abuses and environmental harm

Unseen has joined more than 30 organisations in calling for a new Business, Human Rights, and Environment Act. This law would create clear legal obligations for UK businesses to prevent human rights abuses and environmental harm in their global operations and supply chains.

UK civil society calls for new law to prevent business human rights abuses and environmental harm

Unseen has joined more than 30 organisations in calling for a new Business, Human Rights, and Environment Act. This law would create clear legal obligations for UK businesses to prevent human rights abuses and environmental harm in their global operations and supply chains.

Support modern slavery survivors: donate to our Big Give Christmas appeal

Anti-slavery charities call for a new approach to support survivors of modern slavery

Victims deserve a system that prioritises their safety and wellbeing. A new manifesto from Unseen and 12 other organisations supporting survivors calls for a fairer approach that puts victims first.

Anti-slavery charities call for a new approach to support survivors of modern slavery

Victims deserve a system that prioritises their safety and wellbeing. A new manifesto from Unseen and 12 other organisations supporting survivors calls for a fairer approach that puts victims first.

Open letter to the UK Prime Minister condemns the Safety of Rwanda Act

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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.