The term ‘modern slavery’ encompasses a spectrum of contemporary exploitation, ranging from debt bondage to domestic servitude and sexual exploitation. In the UK alone, an estimated 122,000 people are living in conditions of modern slavery. Intersectional vulnerabilities make individuals susceptible to exploitation, and survivors face marginalisation and risks even post-exploitation.

We Are Not Invisible was born from conversations with survivors of modern slavery, who expressed frustration at their lack of visibility and the limited opportunity to assert their own voices and choices. By survivors sharing their stories on their own terms, We Are Not Invisible strives to reclaim and amplify narratives to cultivate a more nuanced understanding of modern slavery. Photographs, in conjunction with these narratives, visualise and humanise what is often unseen or reduced to statistics.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, I spoke with six survivors, who shared stories of profound hardship yet also resilience and dignity—a defiance of the victim narrative that often dehumanises survivors of modern slavery and asylum-seekers. We Are Not Invisible aims to raise awareness of modern slavery within the context of prevalent anti-migration sentiments and xenophobic beliefs in Europe—a continent that symbolises safety for many, yet collectively fails to protect the most vulnerable and those who have survived atrocities.

Please be aware that these stories contain sensitive themes, including sexual assault, torture and domestic violence.

*All names have been changed to protect participants.

Nasif*, 24 years old, from Sudan

Nasif left Sudan as a teenager after his village was targeted by a militia. Although innocent, he was detained multiple times and spent months in the terrifying Bani Walid detention camp, where he was tortured and abused by Libyan militants.

Read Nasif's full story here.

Bedri*, 26 years old, from Albania

After arriving in the UK, Bedri was locked in a house and forced to grow cannabis. One day, a group of men stormed in and sliced his hand open.

Read Bedri's full story here.

Omosede*, 35 years old, from Nigeria

Going to Dubai for a chance to earn money and provide for her family, Omesede was coerced in to years of forced labour and sexual exploitation. 

Read Omesede's story here.

Haseeb*, 31 years old, from Iraq

Haseeb had to flee Iraq after his uncles were murdered due to their religious beliefs. On his way through Europe, he was deceived in to working long hours in construction for less than £3 per day.

Read Haseeb's fully story here.

Farah*, 34 years old, from Palestine

After months of being interrogated and tortured by Hamas, Farah left Gaza in search for freedom. While fleeing these dangers, she was abused by a policeman in Greece. 

Read Farah's full story here.

Salma*, 35 years old, from Morocco

Salma moved to the UK to be with her husband, but found herself being exploited and abused by her husband’s family.

Read Salma's full story here.