15 December 2025

Last week, Hestia brought together modern slavery survivors and sector leaders at a roundtable launch event launching the latest in our series of Underground Lives reports – which explore key issues faced by victims and survivors of modern slavery in London.

We were joined by the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, representatives from the Home Office Modern Slavery Unit, MOPAC, Local Authorities, academics and leading modern slavery organisations. 

The research examines what happens after a survivor is formally recognised as a victim of modern slavery and exploitation by the Home Office. It found that 90% of survivors still have unmet needs, and only 5% of MPs surveyed believed the current 45-day move-on period is sufficient given the complex nature of recovery. 

One survivor who contributed to the research and spoke at the roundtable shared:

“I am still struggling with my mental health, I have engaged in counselling and taken medication, but the uncertainty of my situation still triggers panic, nightmares, flashbacks. I am in a limbo, I don’t know what my future will look like. Despite this, I am working hard to move on.”

The report recommends that survivors should only exit the National Referral Mechanism (the framework for identifying and supporting potential victims) once their move on needs are satisfactorily met.

Tuhina Bhattacharyya, Area Manager in Hestia’s Modern Slavery Response Service added:

“We recognise that going forward, survivors are likely to spend less time in the ‘recovery and reflection’ period due to faster Conclusive Grounds decision making… It’s therefore the time after they receive their decision that is crucial for them to find hope and purpose while rebuilding their lives, giving them an opportunity to contribute to our society in a positive way.”

Eleanor Lyons, the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, reflected on the report’s findings:

“It has always seemed counter-intuitive to me that at the point when a victim-survivor is told their experience is believed, that’s when support comes to an end. We know that the government is looking at uncoupling support from the decision-making process already, but what’s helpful is that this research defines what we mean by being ‘ready’ to end support. I hope we can push the government to make this change.” 

The report was independently conducted on behalf of Hestia by Qa Research and the Wilberforce Institute at the University of Hull. 

The roundtable event was kindly hosted by Ashurst.