Imagine the fear and uncertainty. You’ve escaped a brutal ordeal, only to face years in agonising limbo… 

This is the reality for countless survivors. But they don’t have to face it alone.  

Our #ThroughTheirEyes appeal asks you to step into the shoes of a survivor and witness the challenges they face. With your generous support, we can offer a safe haven and comprehensive services to empower them to overcome the trauma of exploitation and rebuild their lives. 

As our new Government settles in, we cannot let survivor rights fall down the priority list. Unseen stands with them. Will you? 

The challenges

Trapped in limbo: modern slavery survivors await recognition 

The National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a critical system designed to identify and support survivors, has had a surge in referrals in recent years, with a record-breaking 17,004 in 2023.  

This unprecedented number of referrals has contributed to a backlogged system, with many survivors facing a wait of nearly two years for a decision on whether they are officially recognised as victims.  

During this time, they cannot work or access state benefits, putting their lives on pause.

Hostile laws and a lack of available support

Recent legislation like the 2022 Nationality and Borders Act and the 2023 Illegal Migration Act further complicates the situation, particularly for non-UK nationals.  

These harsh laws have had the potential to deny survivors essential support, threaten their right to safe housing, or even lead to detainment and deportation – regardless of their experiences. This hostile environment has fostered a climate of fear, impeding survivors’ recovery and discouraging others from coming forward. As a result, law enforcement efforts to combat this crime have been undermined.  

Securing legal aid and vital mental health services is also a concern. Many survivors arrive at our services with complex legal challenges and experience symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.  

A life put on hold 

The brutality of exploitation doesn’t just impact mental health – it disrupts lives. Their experiences can cut them off from social relationships and opportunities to develop essential life skills and access basic necessities that many of us take for granted. These challenges can push them back into unsafe situations. 

With your help, we can empower survivors

Unseen provides a lifeline for survivors through: 

• • Trauma-informed support: our frontline services – made up of men’s and women’s safehouses and outreach services – offer survivors a safe haven. Dedicated caseworkers understand the profound impact of exploitation and work tirelessly to rebuild trust, advocate for their needs, and connect them with vital services like therapy and counselling. 

• • Building connections and confidence: we foster a sense of community through workshops and activities that provide a welcome distraction and opportunities to reconnect with others, build confidence, and develop new skills. 

• • Practical support for a new start: Our expert staff guide them through everyday life, including securing essential items, accessing healthcare, developing life skills, and claiming their rightful support. 

Support survivors like Beth

Fleeing her home in Nigeria, Beth (name changed to protect identity) found herself in a horrific situation in the UK. Fortunately, authorities recognised her as a survivor of modern slavery. At Unseen’s safehouse, Beth received the support she desperately needed. With access to trauma-informed care, mental health support, and legal representation, she began to heal and rebuild her life. 

Beth’s story is a testament to the power of support in helping survivors overcome unimaginable circumstances.  

Imagine a future where all survivors, like Beth, are thriving, independent, and empowered – that’s the future Unseen helps create. By donating to Unseen, you’re helping create that future. Your contribution fuels these critical services, helping survivors, like Beth, overcome trauma, build resilience, and reclaim their lives. 

Read her full story below. 

How you can make a difference

The need for our services is constantly growing. Every donation fills a critical gap in available support for survivors. Here’s how your contribution can help:  

• • £12: helps create a safe space for connection by funding communal activities in our safehouses such as yoga, gardening and cooking, fostering a sense of community and belonging. It also provides soft skills and employability workshops to ensure survivors can work and live independently when they are ready. 

• • £20: could gift a welcome pack packed with essential toiletries and other care products to a survivor in one of our safehouses, offering a sense of dignity and comfort in their first moments of safety. 

• • £36: helps fund specialist ongoing trauma-informed training for our caseworkers, equipping them to better support survivors’ mental wellbeing, provide culturally sensitive support and ensure survivors receive crucial care tailored for them. 

• • £100: helps maintain our men’s and women’s safehouses by ensuring that all equipment and fixtures continue to operate in full working order, making a survivor’s stay with us as secure and comfortable as possible.  

Don’t forget to Gift Aid your donation! By doing so, you can increase its value by 25p for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to you. This means a gift of just £12 becomes a £15 donation – that’s an extra £3 completely free. If you’re a UK taxpayer, simply tick the Gift Aid box when you donate. 

Together, we can help survivors receive the vital support they need to rebuild their lives.