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Maya Esslemont (they/them)

@mayaesslemont.bsky.social
100 followers 127 following 7 posts

Frenemy of the state / Director of After Exploitation (afterexploitation.bsky.social), investigating modern slavery, justice and lack thereof. Art dabbler / dauber. Views my own.

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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Big Issue @bigissue.com · 25/07/2025
After Exploitation found just 4% of modern slavery and trafficking survivors can access counselling through Home Office contracts.
bigissue.com
Few modern slavery survivors get counselling. They have to face their trauma alone
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Only 4% of adults referred as victims of modern slavery get counselling through the Home Office-funded scheme for survivors. In theory, survivors can get counselling via the NHS, but many are dismissed or face long delays: afterexploitation.com/2025/06/11/m... #UK #politics #news #uknews
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Mimi Jalmasco speaking at the joint #SurvivorFutures webinar w/ VODW, @ilpaimmigration.bsky.social @kalayaan.org.uk @kingsartshums.bsky.social: "The best way to prevent re-trafficking of migrant domestic workers is reinstating our visa rights. The right to change employers and have real protection"
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After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
"Emphasis on one ‘type’ of victim stops survivors coming forward" After Exploitation commissioned mental health advocate and survivor, Kate Elysia, to work with an artist illustrating her perspectives on exploitation. Read the interview with Kate here ⤵️ afterexploitation.com/2025/05/23/b...
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Sonia L @sonial77.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Maya really is so good at FOIs, I cannot recommend this workshop enough
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Maya Esslemont (they/them) @mayaesslemont.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Legal Action Group @legalactiongroup.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
📢 Last call for our Housing Conditions update webinar tomorrow with Catherine O'Donnell of @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social 🗓️ 20th March, 17:30-18:30 📒 Attendees will receive Catherine's 2-part annual Housing Conditions update from Legal Action magazine 👉 Register at tinyurl.com/Housing-Cond...
tinyurl.com
LAG Housing Conditions Update Webinar
Catherine O'Donnell will present this Housing Conditions update based on her annual update in Legal Action magazine.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
The Human Trafficking Legal Center @htlegalcenter.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Trafficking survivors need legal status to rebuild their lives after #sextrafficking or #forcedlabor. We are concerned that the processing time for T Visas — visas for #traffickingsurvivors — is now 20 months. We call on USCIS to bring down processing times. egov.uscis.gov/processing-t...
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Alasdair Mackenzie @alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
“All the people here, everyone is suffering.” A day in the life of an asylum hotel.
theguardian.com
A day in the life of an asylum hotel: inside the UK’s most controversial accommodation
The media often stigmatises asylum hotels – and they are sometimes physically attacked too. But behind closed doors are people who dream of work, wheels, security and the simple freedom to choose what...
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Maya Esslemont (they/them) @mayaesslemont.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Great news 👏 Hopefully others follow suit
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Maya Esslemont (they/them) @mayaesslemont.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
When it comes to sexual exploitation, words matter. Definitions should not be gate kept to deny survivors support, or weaponised to criminalise sex workers. I'm speaking at the @freedomunitedhq.bsky.social webinar today, 4pm⬇️ www.freedomunited.org/laws-to-address-sex-trafficking/ #modernslavery
freedomunited.org
Rethinking laws to address sex trafficking - FreedomUnited.org
Freedom United invites you to join "Protecting rights, preventing harm: Rethinking laws to address sex trafficking”, on March 19
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Maya Esslemont (they/them) @mayaesslemont.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Petition from the disability charity Scope. "Life costs more when you’re disabled. Almost half of families in poverty now include someone who’s disabled." Add your name to stop these dangerous cuts: campaigns.scope.org.uk/page/165719/...
campaigns.scope.org.uk
Add your name 📢
Cuts to disability benefits would be catastrophic
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
This #InternationalWomensDay, we're celebrating the contributions of survivor women, and calling for an end to the disbelief, lottery of support, misinformation, and barriers to work they still face. Read our full statement here: afterexploitation.com/2025/03/08/i... #AcceleratedAction #IWD2025
Lilac, sans serif text on a white background: "RECOGNISING SURVIVORS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY". In the top right-hand corner, a white version fo the After Exploitation logo - a hand-drawn rising sun flanked by the words 'After Exploitation' - is in a black circle. Background: Black and white newspaper-print style image of a woman with long black hair looking to her side. 
Text on white box in centre of the image: Survivors still
face disbelief.

Under the Nationality and Borders Act, survivors now have to provide more evidence sooner in order to get basic forms of support. Other survivors are barred from help because of their immigration status or offending history.

Even worse, new Home Office guidance says sexual exploitation is ‘less likely’ to have happened if there aren’t multiple perpetrators or victims involved. Reversing these measures alone could uphold the rights of thousands of women and girls currently at risk of slipping through the net after modern slavery.Background: Black and white newspaper-print style image of a teacher tied back hair and round circular glasses writing words on a whiteboard.
Text on white box in centre of the image: 

LANGUAGE MATTERS

Women and girls can be exploited in any industry, just as men and boys may can be victims of sexual exploitation. Avoiding stereotypes helps us to improve understanding of the complexity of exploitation and ensure all of us - including professionals and survivors themselves - can recognise it.

It is important not to conflate sexual exploitation with all sex work, as these are not the same and both groups have needs specific to their experiences.Background: Black and white newspaper-print style image of a white woman with blonde hair speaking into a megaphone alongside a taller black woman with afro hair in dungarees, chanting at a protest.
Text on white box in centre of the image: Woman survivors are a force for change.

In our experience, many are exposing injustice and pushing for survivor inclusion in campaigns and political life. Yet, immigration restrictions  and criminalisation prevent many survivors from working in the very sectors trying to represent them.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Sex work and sexual exploitation mean different things. Conflating these terms makes it harder for professionals to understand the distinct needs of both groups. Read our explainer piece alongside @laurenmedlicott.bsky.social's powerful article here: www.bigissue.com/opinion/sexu...
bigissue.com
How we define 'sexual exploitation' is fuelling violence against women and girls
A supportive and nuanced approach is needed for victims of sexual exploitation, rather than the current government guidance.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Criminal Justice Alliance @cjalliance.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
In every community there are people with lived experience of social injustice using their expertise to identify solutions for change. @sounddeliverymedia.bsky.social Spokesperson Programme will support 14 leaders to create change in their communities. www.sounddelivery.org.uk/spokesperson...
sounddelivery.org.uk
Spokesperson Leadership Programme • sounddelivery media
Sounddelivery Media’s unique leadership programme aims to diversify the voices we hear in the media and make it more representative of the society we live in. This programme tackles the barriers that ...
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sianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
For over a year, I’ve been looking at sexual abuse in the military - sadly the inquest into Beck’s suicide was shocking but not surprising. With @ethanshone.bsky.social for @opendemocracy.net edited by @indrawarnes.bsky.social www.opendemocracy.net/en/jaysley-b...
opendemocracy.net
Jaysley Beck’s death confirms our findings on abuse in army
For over a year, openDemocracy has worked to reveal how military enables abuse then closes ranks around perpetrators
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sianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
I’ve been trying to report this story for ages but the data is impossible to get as the MoJ does not record how many women are held in prison on solely mental health grounds. Which is a big problem.
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Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
350 Rabbis took out a full page ad in the NYTimes today opposing Trump’s plan for Palestine and calling it ethnic cleansing.
A photo of the NYTimes open on a wood table. It’s a full page ad. The text reads 

Trump has called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza.
Jewish people say
NO
to ethnic cleansing!

And then lists 350 names
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
POMOC @pomocorguk.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Don't think this doesn't concern you. This anti-immigrant government is targeting "refugees" now - our neighbours, friends and community members. Who is next? The eVisa rollout is already making it more difficult for people with EU passports to get back in the country. We're in the same fight.
Headline says '🚨 The government
just banned people who have been granted refugee status from ever becoming British citizens 🚨'. In the background there's a picture of Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper. They look very serious and unapproachable and the wall behind them has the colours of Union Jack.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Together With Refugees @refugeestogether.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day 💕 This year make it really count by asking your MP to support a fair new plan for refugees. With the new Border Security Bill your action could not be more important. Send a customised email in just two ticks!👇 actionnetwork.org/letters/ask-...
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Migrants' Rights Network @migrantsrights.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
We are really concerned with the updates made to the Home Office’s 'good character' guidance, which could block #refugees who made dangerous journeys from UK #citizenship. These changes could punish refugees for having taken the only route available to them... buff.ly/40YyWpz
Alt text: Refugees who made “dangerous journeys” could be blocked from UK citizenship. The good character requirement was updated on 10 Feb to block some refugees from naturalising as British citizens if their entry to the UK was criminalised.
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Maya Esslemont (they/them) @mayaesslemont.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Calling #photography / #photographer Blueskiers! Do you film photography? Please make yourselves known 📣 I'd like to follow some good people and build a network away from Instagram... 📸Shot on film last year (Left: TruPrint film, expired 1992. Right: Tudor film, expired 1995):
A floating buoy with a plastic cross reading 'DANGER OYSTER TRESTLES' rests against a wooden slatted hut, slanting to the right. The film has colour shifted to hues of blue, pink and yellow due to processing and the film's agePhotograph is set against a sky with strongly defined clouds in a greyish hue. Set against the sky is the silhouette of a crow sitting on the top of an old mast shaped like a cross. The foreground is a blurred set of yellowed hedges.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Now more than ever, we need this statement on grooming narratives. Today, we are joined by 70+ survivors, academics, charities and experts on exploitation calling an end to damaging stereotypes and the start of real support for victims and survivors: afterexploitation.com/2025/01/15/j...
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Refugee Action @refugeeaction.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
This decision is appalling and cruel. The government must reverse it. It ignores reality - there are no safe routes for most people who need protection.
A graphic has a screenshot of the media article with the headline: "UK to refuse citizenship to refugees who have ‘made a dangerous journey". We've written text above it saying "Reverse this cruel decision".
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Free Movement @freemovement.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
In case you missed it: Home Office evaluation of GPS tagging pilot shows no impact on compliance | Sonia Lenegan freemovement.org.uk/home-office-eva……
buff.ly
Home Office evaluation of GPS tagging pilot shows no impact on compliance - Free Movement
The Home Office has published its evaluation of the pilot scheme expanding the use of electronic monitoring of people as a condition of their immigration bail.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
We're looking for a freelancer to help us! Could it be you? You'll play a vital role in helping After Exploitation highlight injustice facing survivors of exploitation, by supporting our investigations, research and campaigns. Deadline 27th December 2024: afterexploitation.com/2024/12/06/o...
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Not all local councils train staff to understand modern slavery, despite a legal duty to identify victims. Our briefing with UK BME Anti-Slavery Network, out today, outlines how some local council training materials are also out-of-date or rely on stereotypes afterexploitation.com/2024/12/09/r...
afterexploitation.com
Report: Inconsistent and insensitive training on modern slavery offered by local councils
10th December 2024 – A new report by After Exploitation, UK BME Anti-Slavery Network (BASNET) and AFRUCA has found that modern slavery training offered to local council staff, in England, is …
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Too often, sex workers are branded en masse as 'victims of sexual exploitation'. Sexual exploitation is a complex issue. Using the term wrongly has a real-world impact on survivors. Our joint briefing here: afterexploitation.com/wp-content/u... @anti-slavery.bsky.social @drellac.bsky.social
All graphics use black sans serif block font against a background image of pink crumpled paper. 
Text: Why is it dangerous  to call all sex work ‘modern slavery’?
Modern slavery, including trafficking, is a serious and complex crime. Survivors have support needs and rights which are specific to what they have gone through.
Professionals need to be aware of the differences between sex work and modern slavery, in order to provide appropriate support to both groups.READ THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND SEX WORK FACT SHEET.
All logos are included at the bottom: After Exploitation, Anti Slavery International, Decrim Now, English Collective of Prostitutes, Freedom United and UCL Jill Dando Institute of Security and Crime Science.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
The After Exploitation November newsletter is live. This month's update includes: ✔️ Changes on the way we do social media ✔️ Our partnership on re-trafficking evidence ✔️ A much-needed fact sheet on definitions of sexual exploitation and sex work Read the updates ⤵️ mailchi.mp/12efc7211275...
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
After Exploitation @afterexploitation.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
'Re-trafficking' is when someone is severely exploited more than once. Re-trafficking is often enabled by a lack of support & immigration security. We're joining Voice of Domestic Workers, Kalayaan, & @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social to promote evidence on the issue: www.kcl.ac.uk/research/sur...
All posts have a crumpled paper background, with text on top of it, and the After Exploitation logo in black and white in the top right-hand corner. Text is a sans-serif block font.

WHAT IS RE-TRAFFICKING?
Re-trafficking is when survivors of modern slavery are exploited more than once. Re-trafficking can be caused by:

🔸 Inconsistent support: Not all survivors can access  safe housing, legal aid, mental health support, or financial support when they come forward. This allows exploiters to continue targeting them.

🔸 Return: Survivors may be forced to return to where the exploitation first started. Factors such as financial hardship or stigma upon return makes it easy for traffickers to exploit them again.

🔸Missed opportunities for protection: Survivors may not be able to come forward and report abuse the first time, due to concerns they will be punished for their immigration status or crimes they were forced to commit. They may fear repercussions from traffickers.WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE SHOW SO FAR?
2,018 potential victims of modern slavery have been referred as survivors more than once. Campaigners warn they may have been exploited multiple times due to authorities missing opportunities to support. One person had been referred as many as seven times.WHAT DOES THE EVIDENCE SHOW SO FAR?

of overseas domestic workers who were returned to the Philippines said they would re-emigrate despite the risk of destitution and exploitation.

Source: Outcomes for survivors of trafficking who return to the Philippines, Kings College London and Voice of Domestic WorkersPARTNERSHIP: SURVIVOR FUTURES
Alongside the Voice of Domestic Workers, King’s College London, and Kalayaan, After Exploitation is working to shed a light on the risk of ‘re-trafficking’ amongst overseas domestic workers in the UK.

In the coming months, we will be sharing resources for survivors and their advocates to draw on, including data, survivor-led research, and qualitative studies.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Open Rights Group @openrightsgroup.org · 19/11/2024
Data protection can defend us against harmful AI practices. But the new Data Bill will allow public authorities and companies to use automated systems to make life-changing decisions without human review. The new Bill reheats the mistakes of the #DPDIBill ⬇️ www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releas...
openrightsgroup.org
Data Use and Access Bill will fail to protect public from AI harms
The Data Use and Access Bill will fail to protect the public from harmful uses of artificial intelligence, say digital rights campaigners, Open Rights Group.
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Reposted by Maya Esslemont (they/them)
Detention Action @detentionaction.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
If you'd like to stay up to date with UK immigration issues on BlueSky, we've created this new Starter Pack! This is a list of excellent organisations and experts working at the forefront of immigration in the UK, so please follow them to stay up to date on these crucial issues: go.bsky.app/gzfKcc
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