Dr Ella Cockbain
@drellac.bsky.social
Professor at UCL. Lead of Research Group on Human Trafficking,Smuggling & Exploitation. Researching precarious work & labour exploitation. New (free) book on anti-trafficking evaluation https://uclpress.co.uk/book/evaluating-anti-trafficking-interventions/
Pinned
Evaluating Anti-Trafficking Interventions
Explore the complexities of trafficking and the importance of effective evaluation in anti-trafficking interventions and measures.
uclpress.co.uk
Despite huge sums spent on anti-trafficking, there are staggeringly few evaluations of interventions & growing evidence of harms caused.
This new edited book with @uclpress.bsky.social is our attempt to help change that. 1/
Open access with free digital downloads: uclpress.co.uk/book/evaluat...
This new edited book with @uclpress.bsky.social is our attempt to help change that. 1/
Open access with free digital downloads: uclpress.co.uk/book/evaluat...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
So many of the problems with the UK asylum system - culture of disbelief, poor or nonexistent advice, endless delays, cruel accommodation policies - rolled into one awful case.
@diane-writer10.bsky.social always gets the human stories others miss or don’t care about
@diane-writer10.bsky.social always gets the human stories others miss or don’t care about
The life and limbo of a UK asylum seeker: one man’s harrowing 17-year wait for leave to remain
Ussu fled imprisonment and torture, only to find himself treated like a liar and outcast in the UK. Here’s how he survived homelessness and horrific injury in almost two decades without a decision
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:51 PM
So many of the problems with the UK asylum system - culture of disbelief, poor or nonexistent advice, endless delays, cruel accommodation policies - rolled into one awful case.
@diane-writer10.bsky.social always gets the human stories others miss or don’t care about
@diane-writer10.bsky.social always gets the human stories others miss or don’t care about
Latest in our solidarities series: fascinating reflections on striking workers in South Africa finding common ground with Palestine solidarity activists. I like that this series doesn’t shy away from tensions & challenges, as well as benefits.
By Maya Bhardwaj for @beyondslavery.bsky.social .
By Maya Bhardwaj for @beyondslavery.bsky.social .
Clover in South Africa: where workers’ rights met Palestine solidarity
Clover in South Africa: where workers’ rights met Palestine solidarity
When dairy workers made common cause with Palestine solidarity activists, the result was radical love in the public square
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Latest in our solidarities series: fascinating reflections on striking workers in South Africa finding common ground with Palestine solidarity activists. I like that this series doesn’t shy away from tensions & challenges, as well as benefits.
By Maya Bhardwaj for @beyondslavery.bsky.social .
By Maya Bhardwaj for @beyondslavery.bsky.social .
It’s so depressing that ECPAT & Missing People are once again needing to raise the alarm over trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the U.K. They’ve been highlighting this problem for years and it’s such a serious safeguarding issue.
A new report from ECPAT UK and Missing People shows that more than 2,000 trafficked and/or unaccompanied children went missing from care in the UK in 2024. These children are at particularly high risk of exploitation and other types of harm when missing.
Read the story ➡️ tinyurl.com/bdz9bzwe
Read the story ➡️ tinyurl.com/bdz9bzwe
More then 2,000 trafficked children and lone child asylum seekers missing from UK councils’ care
Charities say vulnerable young people are being failed by local authorities, the police and central government
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:14 PM
It’s so depressing that ECPAT & Missing People are once again needing to raise the alarm over trafficked and unaccompanied children going missing from care in the U.K. They’ve been highlighting this problem for years and it’s such a serious safeguarding issue.
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Radical feminists and religious groups got into bed together once. Now they're broadening the affair, says @gaatw.bsky.social www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
A bizarre new alliance is coming after sexual freedoms
Radical feminists and religious groups teamed up against sex work. Now they’re going after broader reproductive freedoms
www.opendemocracy.net
November 24, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Radical feminists and religious groups got into bed together once. Now they're broadening the affair, says @gaatw.bsky.social www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Survivors should not be #LivingInLimbo.
New report from @rapecrisis.bsky.social exposes the severe harm the Crown Courts backlog is having on survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
Find out more and take action ⤵️
rapecrisis.org.uk/get-involved...
New report from @rapecrisis.bsky.social exposes the severe harm the Crown Courts backlog is having on survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
Find out more and take action ⤵️
rapecrisis.org.uk/get-involved...
November 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Survivors should not be #LivingInLimbo.
New report from @rapecrisis.bsky.social exposes the severe harm the Crown Courts backlog is having on survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
Find out more and take action ⤵️
rapecrisis.org.uk/get-involved...
New report from @rapecrisis.bsky.social exposes the severe harm the Crown Courts backlog is having on survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
Find out more and take action ⤵️
rapecrisis.org.uk/get-involved...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Our Human Trafficking Lead @mayal-n.bsky.social has written about the growing attack on sexual freedoms, the (mis)use of anti-trafficking frameworks to do so, + the opportunity it has given us to join an incredible alliance of feminist LGBTI rights activists: www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
A bizarre new alliance is coming after sexual freedoms
Radical feminists and religious groups teamed up against sex work. Now they’re going after broader reproductive freedoms
www.opendemocracy.net
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Our Human Trafficking Lead @mayal-n.bsky.social has written about the growing attack on sexual freedoms, the (mis)use of anti-trafficking frameworks to do so, + the opportunity it has given us to join an incredible alliance of feminist LGBTI rights activists: www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
This is how the far right should be covered and analysed
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... - my new article, if of interest please share.
I endured an English public school. But that’s not the only reason I’m unsurprised about the Farage allegations |
Let’s put aside the schooldays accusations and look, instead, at the Reform leader’s path since then. I think a pretty clear picture of the man emerges, says author and podcaster Musa Okwonga
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:15 AM
This is how the far right should be covered and analysed
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
Vital piece on attempts to frame all surrogacy as trafficking & the coalitions pushing & opposing this.
Important insights into the transphobia & attacks on reproductive freedoms involved, by @mayal-n.bsky.social @gaatw.bsky.social for our solidarity series @beyondslavery.bsky.social
Important insights into the transphobia & attacks on reproductive freedoms involved, by @mayal-n.bsky.social @gaatw.bsky.social for our solidarity series @beyondslavery.bsky.social
A bizarre new alliance is coming after sexual freedoms. We’re ready
A bizarre new alliance is coming after sexual freedoms. We’re ready
Radical feminists and religious groups teamed up against sex work. Now they’re going after broader reproductive freedoms
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Vital piece on attempts to frame all surrogacy as trafficking & the coalitions pushing & opposing this.
Important insights into the transphobia & attacks on reproductive freedoms involved, by @mayal-n.bsky.social @gaatw.bsky.social for our solidarity series @beyondslavery.bsky.social
Important insights into the transphobia & attacks on reproductive freedoms involved, by @mayal-n.bsky.social @gaatw.bsky.social for our solidarity series @beyondslavery.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
If only there were some clue from his subsequent political career
Twenty people allege he has a racist past. He denies it. Who’s telling the truth about Farage’s schooldays?
Reform UK’s leader refuses to answer questions about his abusive behaviour, claiming there’s ‘no evidence’. We talk to victims and witnesses
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:55 AM
If only there were some clue from his subsequent political career
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
“They treat us worse than dogs", one worker told me.
Based on reporting in Huelva & Lleida, my latest for
Jacobin looks at how climate breakdown is aggravating yet further the harsh realities faced by migrant farm workers in Spain's lucrative agri-industrial sector. jacobin.com/2025/10/spai...
Based on reporting in Huelva & Lleida, my latest for
Jacobin looks at how climate breakdown is aggravating yet further the harsh realities faced by migrant farm workers in Spain's lucrative agri-industrial sector. jacobin.com/2025/10/spai...
In Spain, Farmworkers Are Dying in the Heat
Three migrant farmworkers died from heatstroke in Spain this summer. Largely ignored by media, their fate illustrates how the effects of the climate crisis are offloaded on the least visible workers.
jacobin.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
“They treat us worse than dogs", one worker told me.
Based on reporting in Huelva & Lleida, my latest for
Jacobin looks at how climate breakdown is aggravating yet further the harsh realities faced by migrant farm workers in Spain's lucrative agri-industrial sector. jacobin.com/2025/10/spai...
Based on reporting in Huelva & Lleida, my latest for
Jacobin looks at how climate breakdown is aggravating yet further the harsh realities faced by migrant farm workers in Spain's lucrative agri-industrial sector. jacobin.com/2025/10/spai...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
A few weeks ago this Reform rising star went on LBC & said young people were being paid too much,citing his experience in hospitality.
So we looked into his companies & found 3 tribunal judgments for failure to pay wages, holiday pay & provide contracts
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...
So we looked into his companies & found 3 tribunal judgments for failure to pay wages, holiday pay & provide contracts
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...
November 21, 2025 at 10:41 AM
A few weeks ago this Reform rising star went on LBC & said young people were being paid too much,citing his experience in hospitality.
So we looked into his companies & found 3 tribunal judgments for failure to pay wages, holiday pay & provide contracts
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...
So we looked into his companies & found 3 tribunal judgments for failure to pay wages, holiday pay & provide contracts
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Delighted to co-author this piece urging the de-silo-ing of anti-trafficking work, & genuine solidarity with grassroots movements.
November 20, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Delighted to co-author this piece urging the de-silo-ing of anti-trafficking work, & genuine solidarity with grassroots movements.
Important piece. The many worrying human impacts come through very strongly here.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
Exclusive: union leaders say proposed changes are immoral and could threaten patient safety if there is staff exodus
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Important piece. The many worrying human impacts come through very strongly here.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Why can't anti-trafficking be more radical?
Why can't anti-trafficking be more radical?
Anti-trafficking has always been the handmaiden of Global North power, never its rebellious daughter. Let’s change that
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Why can't anti-trafficking be more radical?
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Congratulations to Ella Cockbain and Aiden Sidebottom and Sheldon X. Zhang and their contributors! Their #OpenAccess book Evaluating Anti-Trafficking Interventions published today. Read and download free at: bit.ly/4oc6Lxg #HumanTrafficking #ForcedLabour
Evaluating Anti-Trafficking Interventions
Explore the complexities of trafficking and the importance of effective evaluation in anti-trafficking interventions and measures.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Congratulations to Ella Cockbain and Aiden Sidebottom and Sheldon X. Zhang and their contributors! Their #OpenAccess book Evaluating Anti-Trafficking Interventions published today. Read and download free at: bit.ly/4oc6Lxg #HumanTrafficking #ForcedLabour
Despite huge sums spent on anti-trafficking, there are staggeringly few evaluations of interventions & growing evidence of harms caused.
This new edited book with @uclpress.bsky.social is our attempt to help change that. 1/
Open access with free digital downloads: uclpress.co.uk/book/evaluat...
This new edited book with @uclpress.bsky.social is our attempt to help change that. 1/
Open access with free digital downloads: uclpress.co.uk/book/evaluat...
Evaluating Anti-Trafficking Interventions
Explore the complexities of trafficking and the importance of effective evaluation in anti-trafficking interventions and measures.
uclpress.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Despite huge sums spent on anti-trafficking, there are staggeringly few evaluations of interventions & growing evidence of harms caused.
This new edited book with @uclpress.bsky.social is our attempt to help change that. 1/
Open access with free digital downloads: uclpress.co.uk/book/evaluat...
This new edited book with @uclpress.bsky.social is our attempt to help change that. 1/
Open access with free digital downloads: uclpress.co.uk/book/evaluat...
“the anti-trafficking section treats collaboration more like conquest.”
New in our solidarities series is this super sharp piece on alternative visions for change, by Sophie Otiende & @christianashnc.bsky.social
@beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
New in our solidarities series is this super sharp piece on alternative visions for change, by Sophie Otiende & @christianashnc.bsky.social
@beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Why can't anti-trafficking be more radical?
Anti-trafficking has always been the handmaiden of Global North power, never its rebellious daughter. Let’s change that
www.opendemocracy.net
November 19, 2025 at 8:48 AM
“the anti-trafficking section treats collaboration more like conquest.”
New in our solidarities series is this super sharp piece on alternative visions for change, by Sophie Otiende & @christianashnc.bsky.social
@beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
New in our solidarities series is this super sharp piece on alternative visions for change, by Sophie Otiende & @christianashnc.bsky.social
@beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Today is International Men’s Day. So here’s to refugee men fleeing abuse, trans men denied healthcare, queer men bullied for being different, Black men racially profiled, disabled men excluded from work, and all the other men who fail at being “real men.” May we continue to cultivate our humanity.
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Today is International Men’s Day. So here’s to refugee men fleeing abuse, trans men denied healthcare, queer men bullied for being different, Black men racially profiled, disabled men excluded from work, and all the other men who fail at being “real men.” May we continue to cultivate our humanity.
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
"Let me be clear: this wasn’t some magical turning point where sex workers & cops became best friends. … We haven’t forgotten being hunted, harassed & humiliated … But it taught us something powerful: both sides are capable, if only for a moment, of putting all that aside. Doing so can save lives."💯
Next up in our solidarities series is this brilliant piece on an unlikely tactical alliance.
Unsettling and important look at the tensions involved and lessons from it.
By Alex Andrews of @swopbehindbars.bsky.social for @beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Unsettling and important look at the tensions involved and lessons from it.
By Alex Andrews of @swopbehindbars.bsky.social for @beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
How one case made unlikely allies of police and sex workers
We have every reason to mistrust police, but the case against Joey the Player briefly showed us something different
www.opendemocracy.net
November 19, 2025 at 1:21 AM
"Let me be clear: this wasn’t some magical turning point where sex workers & cops became best friends. … We haven’t forgotten being hunted, harassed & humiliated … But it taught us something powerful: both sides are capable, if only for a moment, of putting all that aside. Doing so can save lives."💯
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Excited to see this published: peer reviewed publication on trafficking survivors’ experiences with journalists. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
November 18, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Excited to see this published: peer reviewed publication on trafficking survivors’ experiences with journalists. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
As drug users, solidarity isn’t just important – it’s survival
As drug users, solidarity isn’t just important – it’s survival
We formed a union to resist the violence of mainstream treatment. Collaboration will be the key to our success
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 6:09 AM
As drug users, solidarity isn’t just important – it’s survival
Today we hear from drug user union RATS (Radical Acts To Survive) @beyondslavery.bsky.social
Vital insights into tensions,trade offs & tactics around enacting solidarity, from people organising at the sharp end of intersecting forms of criminalisation & stigma
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Vital insights into tensions,trade offs & tactics around enacting solidarity, from people organising at the sharp end of intersecting forms of criminalisation & stigma
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
As drug users, solidarity is key to survival
We formed a union to resist the violence of mainstream treatment. Collaboration will be the key to our success
www.opendemocracy.net
November 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Today we hear from drug user union RATS (Radical Acts To Survive) @beyondslavery.bsky.social
Vital insights into tensions,trade offs & tactics around enacting solidarity, from people organising at the sharp end of intersecting forms of criminalisation & stigma
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Vital insights into tensions,trade offs & tactics around enacting solidarity, from people organising at the sharp end of intersecting forms of criminalisation & stigma
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Anti-trafficking killjoys struggle to get beyond trafficking and slavery. The only way to truly get beyond anti-trafficking is to stop making it the main character.
Our final @beyondslavery.bsky.social feature on solidarities beyond silos
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Our final @beyondslavery.bsky.social feature on solidarities beyond silos
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Solidarity beyond silos is our best bet to end exploitation
Far-right bullies are on the rise, and exploitation will likely rise with them. Cross-movement organising is the only way out
www.opendemocracy.net
November 10, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Anti-trafficking killjoys struggle to get beyond trafficking and slavery. The only way to truly get beyond anti-trafficking is to stop making it the main character.
Our final @beyondslavery.bsky.social feature on solidarities beyond silos
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Our final @beyondslavery.bsky.social feature on solidarities beyond silos
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Reposted by Dr Ella Cockbain
Our final feature is rolling out! We wanted to end on a positive note, so asked a bunch of amazing people to write about their experiences with cross-movement solidarity and organising. We're very excited to share it with you. Enjoy! www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Solidarity beyond silos is our best bet to end exploitation
Far-right bullies are on the rise, and exploitation will likely rise with them. Cross-movement organising is the only way out
www.opendemocracy.net
November 17, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Our final feature is rolling out! We wanted to end on a positive note, so asked a bunch of amazing people to write about their experiences with cross-movement solidarity and organising. We're very excited to share it with you. Enjoy! www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Next up in our solidarities series is this brilliant piece on an unlikely tactical alliance.
Unsettling and important look at the tensions involved and lessons from it.
By Alex Andrews of @swopbehindbars.bsky.social for @beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Unsettling and important look at the tensions involved and lessons from it.
By Alex Andrews of @swopbehindbars.bsky.social for @beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
How one case made unlikely allies of police and sex workers
We have every reason to mistrust police, but the case against Joey the Player briefly showed us something different
www.opendemocracy.net
November 17, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Next up in our solidarities series is this brilliant piece on an unlikely tactical alliance.
Unsettling and important look at the tensions involved and lessons from it.
By Alex Andrews of @swopbehindbars.bsky.social for @beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Unsettling and important look at the tensions involved and lessons from it.
By Alex Andrews of @swopbehindbars.bsky.social for @beyondslavery.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...