After Exploitation Explained

After Exploitation is a UK-based non-profit organization that investigates the unpublished outcomes of modern slavery survivors. The group uses Freedom of Information requests to gather data on wrongful deportation, detention, and failures by agencies to refer victims for support.^[1]

Create by Farhad Hossain

Their launch report revealed that 507 potential trafficking victims were detained in 2018.^[2] A follow-up investigation revealed that 1,256 potential victims were detained in 2019, marking a two-fold increase in the detention of vulnerable people since the introduction of safeguarding measures meant to reduce the use of Immigration Powers.^{[3] [4] [5]}

Background

After Exploitation was founded as a volunteer-led project in July 2019. Its launch report, Supported or Deported?, revealed the widespread use of immigration detention for potential survivors of modern slavery.^[6] The report received significant press and Parliamentary attention after the Immigration Minister had previously denied that such data existed.^{[7] [8]} In response, over twenty non-profit organizations—including Amnesty International UK, Anti-Slavery International and Freedom United—signed an open letter urging the Government to release hidden data on survivors, and reconsider the Home Office's role in delivering support.^[9]

After Exploitation is a non-profit company limited by guarantee.^[10]

Investigations

After Exploitation has released a number of research briefings, outlining:

• Detention and deportation of trafficking victims: In two separate briefings, After Exploitation has outlined documented cases of deportation and detention amongst trafficking victims. In 2018, 507 potential victims of trafficking were held in immigration detention,^{[11] [12]} compared with 1,256 potential victims in 2019.
• Voluntary returns of trafficking victims: After Exploitation revealed the growing number of voluntary returns amongst potential victims of trafficking, who are asked to leave the country before potential victims have been able to access full support. Their investigation reveals that more than half (53%) of potential victims leaving the UK before a final decision on their claim were held in prison-like immigration settings beforehand.^{[13] [14]}
• Inconsistent support access: In 2020, research by the group showed that thousands of potential slavery survivors are recognised by first responders such as the police or Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority as trafficked, but never referred for support through the NRM.^{[15] [16]} The Human Trafficking Foundation made the case for places of safety for potential survivors, explaining: "People need space to make an informed decision about their future based on an understanding of their rights and options. A referral into the NRM can be a life-changing decision, which does not guarantee long-term stability. A safe place to recover with support to consider options is crucial in allowing people to make the decision that is right for them, which might include a referral to the NRM."^[17]

Campaign

Data transparency

After Exploitation's Supported or Deported? campaign calls for the regular reporting of the following outcomes amongst survivors of modern slavery. The campaign notes that information on returns and detention are already held, whilst additional support outcomes will require a commitment to improved monitoring practices:^[18]

• Returns including both voluntary and enforced
• Safety after return monitored by NGOs commissioned through the UK's Voluntary Returns Scheme
• Immigration detention, including in cases where potential victims are not recognized as vulnerable in the Detention Gatekeeping stage
• Support outcomes, including the uptake of entitlements such as safe housing and counselling, enshrined under international law

Nearly 30 non-profit charities and campaigning organizations are signatories to these proposals, including Anti Slavery International, ECPAT, Equality Now, Hope for Justice, Migrant Rights Network, and Women for Refugee Women^[19]

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2019-07-26. After Exploitation: using FOI to understand what happens to victims of modern slavery. 2020-07-27. mySociety. en-US.
2. News: Taylor. Diane. 2019-07-08. More than 500 victims of trafficking detained in 2018, UK study finds. en-GB. The Guardian. 2020-07-27. 0261-3077.
3. Web site: 2020-02-14. After Exploitation data shows 1,256 potential trafficking victims detained last year. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200921060210/https://afterexploitation.com/2020/02/14/1256-potential-trafficking-victims-detained-last-year/ . 2020-09-21 . 2020-07-27. After Exploitation. en.
4. Web site: Over 1250 victims of trafficking detained last year. 2020-07-27. ATLEU. 15 February 2020 . en-GB.
5. Web site: Spike in detention of slavery victims Hope for Justice. 2020-07-27. hopeforjustice.org. 2020-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20200814073450/https://hopeforjustice.org/news/2020/02/number-of-trafficking-victims-held-in-detention-centres-doubles/. dead.
6. Book: Esslemont, M. Supported or deported?: Understanding the deportation and detention data held on modern slavery. After Exploitation. 2019.
7. Web site: 2019-07-16. Home Office accused of covering up plight of hundreds of trafficking victims wrongly detained in immigration centres. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717002541/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/home-office-modern-slavery-trafficking-victims-immigration-detention-detained-foi-data-a9007251.html . 2019-07-17 . limited . live. 2020-07-27. The Independent. en.
8. Web site: Immigration Detention: Trafficking and Modern Slavery - Hansard. 2020-07-27. hansard.parliament.uk.
9. Web site: 2019-07-17. Letters: The government needs to do more to protect victims of human trafficking. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717175106/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/letters/human-trafficking-home-office-theresa-may-labour-a9008946.html . 2019-07-17 . limited . live. 2020-07-27. The Independent. en.
10. Web site: After Exploitation - Overview . 2020-07-27. beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. en.
11. Web site: Hundreds of trafficking victims held in immigration detention centres. 2020-07-27. Sky News. en.
12. News: 2019-07-09. More than 500 suspected slaves locked up by Britain last year. en. Reuters. 2020-07-27.
13. Web site: 2019-08-22. Surge in trafficking victims leaving UK 'voluntarily' after being held in immigration detention. https://web.archive.org/web/20190822081712/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/modern-slavery-trafficking-victims-return-immigration-detention-home-office-a9073691.html . 2019-08-22 . limited . live. 2020-07-27. The Independent. en.
14. Book: Joint Submission to the Group of Experts on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. Anti Slavery International. 2019.
15. Web site: 2020-06-24. Thousands of suspected trafficking victims 'slipping through net', figures show. https://web.archive.org/web/20200625032719/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/modern-slavery-victims-uk-home-office-authority-a9580931.html . 2020-06-25 . limited . live. 2020-07-27. The Independent. en.
16. Web site: 2020-06-24. Thousands of potential trafficking victims 'not given vital support'. 2020-07-27. the Guardian. en.
17. Web site: 2020-06-24. After Exploitation data shows 1 in 5 potential slavery victims "identified but not referred for support". 2020-07-27. After Exploitation. en.
18. Web site: 2020-07-24. About us. 2020-07-27. After Exploitation. en.
19. Web site: 2019-08-21. Open letter: Government must release data on slavery. 2020-07-27. After Exploitation. en.