Strengthening the support provided to people who are victims of modern slavery 

I have joined with the anti-slavery charity Unseen to strengthen how we respond to modern slavery, by awarding them funding over five years to support victims of modern slavery and exploitation. 

The funding will enable Unseen to provide specialist support to modern slavery victims across Avon and Somerset. 

Working in partnership with other services, providers and the police, Unseen will advocate for victims and help them rebuild their lives. The support provided will involve input from those using the service to make sure it works for them. 

The funding will enable Unseen to: 

• Deliver a coordinated range of interventions for victims 

• Provide new technology and performance frameworks that measure outcomes for potential victims living in the community, such as the impact on their mental health, improved resilience, feeling empowered to report to the police 

• Capture feedback and learning from to help continually improve the service and ensure that the survivor voice remains central to the work 

I am deeply grateful that we will continue to build our long-standing relationship with the team at Unseen who will be delivering this much needed modern slavery and human trafficking service for victims of this complex crime. 

It is vital that we have specialist frontline professionals that can offer tailored support and signposting for people in vulnerable positions within our communities. We want victims to know that they can access this support, regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police, and that they have access to a safe space to genuinely feel heard, valued and supported. 

To award this funding, I followed a research-driven commissioning process that put victims and their voices at the heart of tackling modern slavery. 

To find out more about the services I commission for victims, please visit my website: 
www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/working-for-you/victim-support-services