Dame Sara supports new partnership aimed at helping survivors of modern slavery to rebuild and regain control of their lives.

The British Red Cross, Hope for Justice and the Snowdrop Project today
announced a new partnership which will develop a framework for the accreditation of
Independent Modern Slavery Advocates (IMSAs) in the UK. This collaboration
will build on the model of independent advocacy for survivors of modern
slavery that has been developed by Hope for Justice over the past six years
and recently independently evaluated by a researcher at the University
of Liverpool.

IMSAs seek to empower survivors to make informed choices about their
options and recovery, working with the survivor and their existing support
mechanisms to open doors and create opportunities. By providing advocacy
that looks at someone’s social needs and legal rights together, IMSAs provide
support that is holistic and tailored to the individual, and helps them overcome
barriers and navigate complex systems.

An independent evaluation of Hope for Justice’s IMSA model was carried out
during 2020 by Alexandra Williams-Woods, a researcher at the University of
Liverpool. The report (click here), published in June 2021, found that the
IMSA model at Hope for Justice provided a tested model for responding to
the significant needs and structural disadvantages that survivors of modern
slavery encounter, and led to considerably improved outcomes for survivors.
The report recommends that organisations which provide advocacy services
for modern slavery survivors should work together to build an accredited IMSA
role and framework in line with other independent advocacy services, such as
Independent Domestic Violence Advocates.

This recommendation and the wider findings of the independent evaluation
were key drivers behind the new partnership that is being announced today.

Dame Sara Thornton, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said:

“Survivors of modern slavery often face multiple barriers to sustainable
independence, including access to housing and accommodation, employment
and education. They frequently have to navigate extremely complex systems in
order to access entitlements such as legal advice and welfare benefits that can
be so important for recovery. Advocates who specialise in providing services to
survivors of modern slavery and understand both how these systems operate,
as well as the impact of the significant trauma that so many have endured, can
therefore play a vital role in empowering survivors and in reducing the risk of
re-trafficking.

“As the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, a key part of my role is about
encouraging good practice. I am pleased to see that following an independent
evaluation this new partnership seeks to build on the model for independent
advocates created by Hope for Justice, and develop a framework for the
accreditation of the role so that it can be introduced more widely across the
UK whilst promoting consistent standards in care.” 

Kathryn Baldacchino, Head of Anti-Trafficking at British Red Cross, said: 

“From our experience working with survivors of modern slavery and exploitation we know that having access to the right support at the right time is vital for people to rebuild and take control of their lives. We’re so excited for the launch of this partnership, with Hope for Justice and Snowdrop Project, to develop a model that recognises the need for independent and holistic support for survivors. Together we can share our expertise in this crucial step towards better specialist, flexible support.”

Paul McAnulty, UK and Europe Programme Director at Hope for Justice, said: 

“We are absolutely elated to be working in partnership with two such pioneering, knowledgeable and proactive organisations as the British Red Cross and Snowdrop in order to develop a model for independent advocacy for survivors of modern slavery in the UK. We recognise that nobody can end slavery alone, and are excited to focus our shared values of empowerment, partnership and innovation in order to work together to help build capacity into wider services and partner organisations and to improve standards of advocacy and care for survivors.”

Lara Bundock, CEO of Snowdrop, said: 

“We are honoured to be working on such an important development in the anti-slavery sector with two outstanding organisations. It is so motivating to join forces with people who share such a similar passion and vision to see this field of social justice develop to even greater standards of care and support. Bringing together the knowledge we developed through creating the UK training standards and the IMSA model that Hope for Justice piloted will be an exciting step forwards in the care for survivors.”

ENDS