Modern slavery: safe reporting routes | CyberChat 5

CYBERCHAT / EPISODE 05

A fictional 1990s chatroom conversation about real sustainability questions. Joanna and Al appear as themselves; the dialogue is scripted and the other characters are invented. Inspired by Unseen’s webinar with Renae Mann, with practical examples added for smaller businesses. The characters are not quoting or interviewing the webinar speakers.

The short version

People experiencing exploitation may be frightened, controlled or unable to disclose what has happened straight away. Businesses can make their response more useful by providing accessible reporting routes, explaining what happens next and drawing on specialist knowledge. Survivors’ experience should help shape how support is designed.

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[21:01] Al says: back for another modern slavery chat. Last time we got beyond the policy. Tonight: would anyone actually tell us if something was wrong?

[21:02] net_junky says: we have a reporting email. its in the handbook

[21:03] Sunshine_girl says: the handbook nobody can find?

[21:04] Joanna says: That is a useful place to start. In the Unseen webinar, Renae Mann talks about the barriers that can stop people disclosing exploitation. Making a reporting route available is only part of the job. [1]

[21:05] Al says: what stops someone using it?

[21:06] Joanna says: She describes fear of authorities, trauma and control by an exploiter. Someone may need time before they can tell anybody what has happened. A delay does not make their concern less deserving of a careful response. [1]

[21:07] Ace_Ventura says: so “why didnt you say something sooner?” is not a great opening

[21:08] Joanna says: It can make someone feel blamed. Think about what would help them feel safe enough to speak, and get specialist advice on how to respond.

[21:09] net_junky says: ours says confidential. that should help?

[21:10] Joanna says: It may help, but people also need to understand what happens next. Who sees the message? Could it reach the person they are worried about? Can they get advice outside the business? Those are practical questions to test.

[21:11] Sunshine_girl says: especially if the person they are scared of is their manager

[21:12] Joanna says: Exactly. A route that relies entirely on reporting to that manager has an obvious gap. A practical lesson for a small supplier is to make sure people can find another route to support.

[21:13] Al says: this sounds like a staff issue as much as a procurement issue

[21:14] Joanna says: Yes. Think about agency workers, contractors and people working at your premises too. Would they know where to go? Would they even see the handbook? Those are useful questions for HR, operations and procurement to answer together.

[21:15] Ace_Ventura says: the PDF is doing a lot of heavy lifting again

[21:16] Al says: Renae talks about survivors shaping the work. What does that mean in practice?

[21:17] Joanna says: In the webinar, she describes involving survivors from the start in deciding priorities and developing responses. Their experience can reveal where a process fails and what would make support more useful. [1]

[21:18] Sunshine_girl says: so more than asking someone to tell a powerful story at an event

[21:19] Joanna says: Yes. Her emphasis is on working with people to design change. She also talks about supporting survivors to share their experiences safely. A personal story should never become the price of being listened to.

[21:20] net_junky says: we are tiny though. we cant set up an advisory board for everything

[21:21] Joanna says: You can learn from specialist organisations that work with survivors. Ask what that learning means for your own processes. You do not need to ask an employee to disclose personal trauma to improve a reporting procedure.

[21:22] Al says: and make the information understandable?

[21:23] Joanna says: Absolutely. Accessibility comes up in the webinar too. For your business, consider language, reading confidence and how people actually get information. A practical check is whether someone can find the right contact and explain what it is for.

[21:24] Sunshine_girl says: what about after somebody gets help? is that the end of it?

[21:25] Joanna says: The webinar looks beyond identification to recovery, support and rebuilding lives. A business should work with specialists on its part in a response. Closing an internal incident record does not tell you whether someone is safe or supported. [1]

[21:26] Ace_Ventura says: different definition of “resolved”

[21:27] Joanna says: Yes. And the same thinking applies to improvement: ask whether your changes make it easier to get help. Training attendance tells you who attended. It does not tell you whether people trust the process.

[21:28] Al says: one thing to do tomorrow, then?

[21:29] Joanna says: Walk through your reporting route as if you were an agency worker on your first day. Where would you find it? Who would you contact if your supervisor was involved? What would you understand about the next step? Fix the first gap you find.

[21:30] net_junky says: i suspect the handbook is about to get a much shorter, more useful companion

[21:31] Joanna says: Good. Clear information, a safe response and someone who knows what to do next.

End of chat · A safe route to speak. A thoughtful response.

What this means for you

Test your reporting process from the perspective of someone with little power in the business. Include agency workers and contractors. Check that information is easy to find and understand, that there is an alternative if a supervisor is implicated, and that the person receiving concerns knows how to seek specialist help. Record the improvement, assign an owner and check it works.

Sources and further reading

1. Unseen webinar: Meet Unseen’s new CEO – live webinar “In conversation with Renae Mann”

   Adapted from the source webinar. Source themes: barriers to disclosure; survivor involvement in strategy and service design; accessible communication; recovery and rebuilding lives. Business examples and suggested actions in this chat are editorial applications of those themes.

2. Unseen: Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline

   For specialist advice or to report a concern in the UK, call 08000 121 700. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Contact details checked 29 September 2026.

Editorial note: this chat draws on the webinar’s discussion of trust, participation and support. References in the webinar to proposed legislation, political developments and future strategy are not presented here as current legal requirements. Watch the source webinar.

About the author

Joanna Whitear is the founder of Kintera Limited and supports suppliers with NHS Evergreen assessments and Carbon Reduction Plans. She has more than 15 years of sustainability and climate experience and is a lead ISO 14001 auditor.

Related reading: Ownership, review and evidence controls.

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