RESTART - The Reporting Experiences of Survivors to Analyse in Real Time - was a multi-disciplinary research project conducted in 2023 aimed at improving support for people with lived experience of modern slavery and human trafficking, and at running a proof of concept to understand the applicability of using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyse survivors’ stories for insights to improve support and, potentially, programmes and policies in this area.
The project, funded by the Modern Slavery PEC, was headed by Aberystwyth University in cooperation with civils society organisations (Causeway and FiftyEight) and the private ethical AI development and research company Trilateral Research.
There were two main strands to the project.
Using AI to analyse big data sets
In phase one of project RESTART, researchers employed AI, specifically NLP, to analyse anonymised statements and responses from modern slavery survivors, recorded by Causeway’s caseworkers during interactions with their service users. The project analysed nearly 40,000 case notes, focusing on survivor support needs in areas such as accommodation, legal support, dependants, education, employment, physical and mental health, finance and social integration.
While NLP enabled the rapid analysis of large datasets in a way that far exceeded the efficiency of manual methods, significant resources were required for the initial training and validation of the NLP model to ensure accurate and accessible data capture. Human engagement from subject experts and experts by experience remained crucial for training the AI models and validating the insights they produced. This process of keeping humans in the loop ensured contextual understanding and sensitivity to the nuances of personal experiences, which automated systems might overlook. Additionally, human oversight helped to verify the accuracy and ethical considerations of the insights generated, safeguarding against potential biases and misinterpretations inherent in algorithmic analysis.
App for self-journaling
The second phase involved developing a smartphone app for self-journalling, used by a group of modern slavery survivors. This app allowed participants to record their feelings and problems in real time, creating a record that support workers could use (with the survivors’ permission) to identify and address support needs. This particular benefit was recognised by survivors during feedback sessions at the end of the project, with some recommending data-sharing to third parties, including the Salvation Army. As one survivor said:
“It would be good if keyworkers or the Salvation Army for example could access the app on your behalf with your permission, so you don’t have to repeat yourself.”
“It would be good if keyworkers or the Salvation Army for example could access the app on your behalf with your permission, so you don’t have to repeat yourself.”
Lived experience expert
Participants, all individuals with lived experience of modern slavery, were invited to participate in the project through Causeway’s Research, Participation and Policy department, which is dedicated to amplifying survivor voices through research. Each participant was compensated for their time and remained anonymous throughout the project.
The app enabled survivors to differentiate between immediate needs and long-term goals, helping them identify the steps needed to achieve these goals. It also served as a platform for reflecting on their recovery holistically. In some cases, the app functioned as a progress tracker and a motivational tool, reinforcing determination to achieve their goals:
“Last month I uploaded that I need a job to progress in a career. Once I set it, I set my mind. It is a kind of note in your mind to make you work towards it. And on the app, you can look at your progress, it can keep you on track. I feel like I am on track. I got a job. Now I feel like ‘wow’, I can do this. It’s life changing. I feel the app contributed to this.”
“I posted words on it like I am powerful, I know who I am, I won't give up. I'll keep on fighting until I get my freedom.”
“Last month I uploaded that I need a job to progress in a career. Once I set it, I set my mind. It is a kind of note in your mind to make you work towards it. And on the app, you can look at your progress, it can keep you on track. I feel like I am on track. I got a job. Now I feel like ‘wow’, I can do this. It’s life changing. I feel the app contributed to this.”
Lived experience expert
This approach aimed not only to improve support for survivors but also to reduce stress and potential trauma associated with disclosing sensitive information in face-to-face interviews. The project’s findings suggest that creating a space for survivors to self-journal independently can help them process their emotional journeys through recovery, especially where mental support is limited or infrequent, highlighting the therapeutic potential for similar technology in the future:
“It's not good for you to keep on repeating the trauma and everything to people before they can support you. But when it’s just you and your phone no one is going to ask you what happened…In a situation where you feel like you're writing too much and you keep remembering all this stuff. You can stop it. You can pause it. You can have a break. You can come to it whenever you feel like.”
Conclusion
While survivors were initially hesitant about using the app and participating in the project more broadly, their concerns were alleviated through specialist trauma-informed support provided by Causeway. This underscores that the application of technology is most effective when supported by high-quality human engagement.
The research benefited considerably from the insights and feedback provided by an advisory panel of experts by experience, individuals with lived experience of modern slavery. This critical element of the project not only enhanced the quality of the research but also engaged survivors as active participants with agency and expertise, rather than passive recipients of support or subjects of study.
We believe RESTART has been successful not only for the insights and knowledge it has yielded, but also for demonstrating how technology can improve support for survivors of modern slavery. There is significant potential to further develop these methods in the future.
“Honestly, I really hope this will be bigger in the future and someone will listen to our voice. I think this is the most important thing.”
“Honestly, I really hope this will be bigger in the future and someone will listen to our voice. I think this is the most important thing.”
Lived experience expert
The project was led by Prof. Ryszard Piotrowicz (Aberystwyth University) in cooperation with Dr Matthew Young and Emily Gilhespy (Causeway), Quintin Lake (FiftyEight) and Dr Julia Muraszkiewicz (Trilateral Research).
