Following yesterday’s launch of the national pilot for the Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) model, today Blair McDougall MP will lead an informal policy roundtable event in the Houses of Parliament on the topic of independent advocacy, to coincide with the publication of a paper that details the crucial role it can play in supporting survivors of modern slavery in their recovery journey.
This paper, ‘Independent Modern Slavery Advocacy: Working Together for Lasting Change’, draws on insights and learnings from over 15 years of providing independent advocacy. This briefing will equip MPs and representatives with the information they need to promote and champion the role of independent advocates in Parliament, with the view to embed the role of IMSA within the national legal frameworks. The paper was written by Hope for Justice and endorsed by The Snowdrop Project, SOHTIS (Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland) and the Bakhita Centre for Research on Slavery, Exploitation and Abuse at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
Photo credit: Sophia Mackenzie Media
MPs and peers have been invited to the closed meeting later today (Wednesday 9th July) to engage in an informal dialogue on the content of the briefing.
Euan Fraser, Hope for Justice’s Senior Policy and Research Advisor, who has written the paper, said: “Independent Modern Slavery Advocates offer survivors crucial support as they navigate complex systems and services, helping them to access the support they need and are entitled to for their long-term recovery. IMSAs work with survivors to achieve their goals, improving access to justice and reducing the risk of re-trafficking.
“An IMSA provides continuity of care: they are a consistent presence during transition times, such as when a survivor must relocate or transition from child to adult services. At these critical points, an IMSA can play a pivotal role ensuring the individual has somewhere safe to live and access to the help they need in order to avoid being re-trafficked.
“When an individual’s needs are addressed, and they are appropriately safeguarded and supported, they are better able to engage with criminal justice processes should they wish. An IMSA’s role isn’t to drive engagement with police and prosecutors, but it is notable that survivors are better able to act as witnesses when they feel secure in other aspects of their recovery. We are proud of the model of independent advocacy that is being piloted nationally alongside other key partners. We believe this approach would be transformational if it is incorporated into the national framework and response to modern slavery.”
As the Government seeks to reform the process for identifying and supporting survivors of modern slavery, known as the National Referral Mechanism, and as it implements key provisions of the Victims and Prisoners Act, our new paper aims to outline why, how and where IMSAs can be incorporated into the national response to modern slavery.
Independent Modern Slavery Advocates (IMSAs) with a survivor. Library image.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 empowers the Justice Secretary to create guidance on a range of victim support roles, following successful input from Hope for Justice and the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. This has already been done for Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, and there are plans to do so for Independent Stalking Advocates (ISAs). We are therefore calling for this power to be used to create statutory guidance for IMSAs.
The Home Office has recognised, in its 2025 Action Plan on Modern Slavery, the importance of independent advocacy as part of a holistic system of support for survivors: “Victims will be supported through a trauma-informed and needs-based framework, providing culturally responsive care, long-term recovery pathways, and independent advocacy to navigate complex systems.”
The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner said in her Strategic Plan (page 31): “It would be of great benefit to improving survivor outcomes, especially long-term outcomes, to formally introduce and recognise Independent Modern Slavery Advocates.”
Minister for Safeguarding, Jess Phillips MP, who has responsibility for modern slavery, spoke at the launch event in London via video message, in which she said of the IMSA model: “I am impressed to see, through development of this model, that organisations from across the sector have worked together to create a great support offer… This is about building something that survivors can trust, and professionals across the sector can rely on.”
She also welcomed the strong involvement of survivors in its development, saying: “I commend the fact that this model was shaped with the voices of survivors at its core. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and listening to survivors, hearing their stories, their resilience and their hopes for the future. These conversations continue to leave a lasting impression on me, and serve as a reminder that all survivors must receive high-quality support, which is why the work you do is so important. “
The IMSA briefing paper was reviewed from a survivor’s perspective by Nancy Esiovwa, a Lived Experience Expert Consultant who has been working in the sector for over ten years, collaborating with anti-slavery organisations and speaking in various capacities while advocating for survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery to access better and more suitable support in the UK. She has firsthand experience of the types of support that an IMSA can provide.
