A joint work created by National Geographic photojournalist Amy Romer, the Global Reporting Centre’s Emma Barnes-Lewis, and the NGO After Exploitation, will unveil a photo series at the modern slavery conference being held at the University of Bath on 20 and 21 September.

The project titled ‘Objective’ has gathered the testimonies of five survivors of modern slavery told through everyday objects that helped them recover after experiencing trauma and rebuild their lives. Some of the objects featured include a mobile phone, umbrella and a jewellery box.

The photo exhibition comes off the back of the Nationality and Borders Bill becoming law in May 2022, which includes new policies on immigration, asylum and victims of modern slavery. The law put a stricter determination process on survivors of modern slavery, which could narrow the types of support they can access. It also introduced a time limit on providing evidence for a modern slavery case and a ban on support for survivors who have received a sentence of 12 months or more.

The organisers behind ‘Objective’ are hoping that the testimonies of the survivors, charting their journey through the UK’s modern slavery determination process, will shed light on the reality of the Nationality and Borders Bill and envision a path towards a more equitable and caring future for modern slavery survivors.

A new photo exhibition aims to shed light on the reality of modern slavery in the UK