National Criminal Justice Consultancy

Delivering Justice for
Victims and Survivors
of Exploitation

 

 

"I was 16 when I first met the Black Box team. I came to that meeting believing I wasn’t being exploited; I was going to plead guilty. Black Box were the first people who helped me connect the dots. Talking to them gave me the confidence to do what I do today - to stand up and speak about my experiences."

- Modern Slavery Survivor

Who we help

We help exploited children, young people and vulnerable adults who are often going through the most difficult time in their lives. By leveraging trauma-informed approaches in all interactions, we provide a safe space for victims and survivors to be listened to, heard and understood. We work alongside legal teams, courts, police, local authorities, schools, charities and campaign groups to further the course of justice.

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How we Help

Through expert testimony, training, research and evaluations, we ensure that professionals are equipped with the tools that they need to support exploited children, young people and vulnerable adults who are going through the educational, social care and criminal justice system. We specialise in the broad and fast-evolving fields of modern slavery, youth violence and community safety.

 

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Expert Witness

Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in modern slavery, illicit drug markets, youth violence, homelessness, substance use and neurodivergence. We provide independent, objective expert reports for legal proceedings.

Training

We deliver specialist training for legal practitioners, local authorities, police and third-sector organisations, with additional tailored sessions available for schools and universities.

Research

We deliver commissioned research and collaborate with organisations to produce high-quality, evidence-based evaluations, reports, briefings, articles and presentations.

Evaluations

We conduct high-quality evaluations using mixed methods and lived-experience insight, helping organisations understand their impact and improve outcomes for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Testimonials

"Having instructed Dr. Robinson in a variety of cases, I appreciate the empathy she shows to the most vulnerable of individuals unfortunate enough to face prosecution when they themselves may be victims of serious criminality.

Her reports are concisely written, realistic and her conclusions backed by detailed research and evidence.

Outcomes include a suspended sentence in a Class A drugs supply case and the Crown offering no evidence against in a County Lines case."

Stephen Garland, Solicitor, EBR Attridge Solicitors

"I have worked with the Black Box evaluation team on several projects. Each time, we have worked closely and collaboratively to determine what works and why, so that we can continue to develop programmes that bring about change in communities.  

Having worked with universities and researchers in the past, Black Box provides a uniqueness because of their ability to connect with professionals and people going through the Criminal Justice System. Their specialist approach to evaluation and research is strengthened because of their wide range of expertise and their direct understanding and knowledge of issues relating to County Lines, exploitation and vulnerability.

Working with the team has been very positive. Their approach has been supportive and pragmatic/solution-based; to find ways to collect data in order to create a more rounded and holistic picture of the communities and the projects being delivered.  
The researchers played a key role in shaping the work and delivery of Project Connect."

Joe Russo, Founder & CEO, Project Connect

"Grace is an exceptional trainer. With being an expert witness in her field, when delivering training and awareness to the organisation, Grace always delivers training in a client-centred and professional way.

Her passion for the subject shines through which makes the content so much more engaging. The compliments received on the training we had were extremely positive and we have asked Grace to deliver some further sessions.

The explanations Grace provides with experts by experience is by far one of the best sessions we have had by an external professional."

Emily Russell, Safeguarding Lead, Housing 21

"During a three-year period, Dr. Robinson helped me to understand the lives of vulnerable and at-risk children and their families. Her research methods and empathetic approach guided my intervention processes.

This then impacted on the responses, firstly as an intervention coach and then as a conduit, to inform local authorities of the difficulties these young people face.

Working with gang-related issues, drug misuse, violent behaviour, historic family issues, community anti-social behaviour and county lines, Dr. Robinson was a huge component in my processes."

Paul Walmsley, Director, Lewis Dunne Foundation

"Dr. Grace Robinson delivered County Lines training for Power The Fight and is a frequent contributor to the charity.

Her expertise, delivery skills and ability to connect with a variety of people make her a pleasure to work with."

Ben Lindsay, CEO, Power The Fight

"I have engaged with Black Box on several occasions and have always found their evaluation to be in-depth, probing and relevant.  

The team conduct thorough research into the project under review and identify areas of good practice and development which ensure improvements are made in the future.

Communication is always clear and agreed timescales met."

Jonathan Tapper, Detective Chief Inspector, Cleveland Police

"Black Box is a trusted organisation who have extensive experience of ensuring professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills that they need to support children and vulnerable adults.

I have collaborated with Dr. Grace Robinson, Daniel Robinson and Black Box over many years as part of various research, knowledge-exchange projects and best-practice initiatives. 

We have published peer-reviewed collaborative papers in the Safer Communities Journal (Emerald) and the British Journal of Community Justice on youth interventions, crime prevention and evidence-based practice.

Dr. Robinson is a Visiting Practitioner in Criminology and an active member of Edge Hill University’s Criminal Justice Advisory panel. She contributes extensively to discussions around matters of mutual interest between academic criminologists and practitioners.

Dr. Robinson always brings a fresh perspective to the projects that she is involved in and inspires those who she works alongside with her enthusiasm and creativity. I was able to witness this first-hand when we worked together on a project aimed at educating young people on various forms of harms in society.

Black Box has extensive expertise and knowledge around criminal exploitation, supporting victims – and increasing awareness – of modern slavery."

Dr Sean Creaney, Criminologist and Senior Lecturer, Edge Hill University

"On a personal level working with Dr. Grace Robinson & Black Box made me feel more connected to the material and broadened my own horizons in investigating this complex subject.

It was reassuring and also very sad to realise that it was not only me trying to explore this epidemic of exploitation. 

On a practical level Grace & her team introduced me to more resources than I knew were available and showed me how to contextualise those resources within the endeavour that I was working on. It was really helpful to be told about other books and films and other people working around the same material, broadened my horizons. 

Practically, it gave me a confidence and the expertise in an increased way to speak to other Theatres about the project I’m working on.

So to be able to reference the work of Black Box meant that I had more confidence in the way I was communicating. 

Much of what happens in the Theatre is instinctive and exploratory. The support of Black Box meant that I was able to apply structure to my own instincts and explorations. It was invaluable from beginning to end." 

Paul Rattray, Actor and Producer

"We have used Black Box on a number of cases and found them to be approachable, efficient and producing high quality reports in this area of work. 

The reports we have obtained have had an impact on the outcome of cases and it has been invaluable to have this resource available when you are dealing with Defendants who have experienced some level of exploitation, especially when involved in matters from a young age. 

We would recommend this company to anyone in this area of law and will certainly use them again."

Louise Rodaway, Crown Court Solicitor, Wessex Solicitors

 

"Black Box have been my go-to company when it comes to instructing skilled experts to assist with our clients’ cases where which concern Modern Day Slavery.

Their team are very efficient and assist with your requirements with speed and professionalism. Their reports have been instrumental in achieving the best outcomes possible for our clients. I would highly recommend using this company."

Rose Nelson, Senior Legal Consultant, Sperrin Law

 

"I have instructed Black Box in a number of drugs related modern slavery cases and have found the reports of Daniel Robinson and Kieran Walsh to be comprehensive, professional and meticulous in their detail.

Reports are prepared within a very appropriate time frame and there is excellent communication throughout the process. In a Concerned in the Supply Class A drugs case, a Black Box report proved to be the determining factor which resulted in a Suspended Sentence as opposed to a starting point of 3 years custody.

I have also asked Black Box to give live evidence at Trial and Kieran Walsh was an excellent witness who delivered his evidence in a balanced and concise manner, fully outlining the background of county lines, the impact on young vulnerable people and the consequences which result.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Black Box."

Joanne Cestaro, Partner, Lawtons Law

"I was referred to Black Box by other members of my firm during a particularly difficult case involving vulnerable issues, individuals and tight timescales.

The staff at Black Box responded quickly and helpfully, providing everything I required to move forward with funding and instruction. Their administrative staff are responsive, efficient and great to work with.

Their experts are highly qualified and dedicated. They were able to turn around a report in a matter of weeks, in a very complicated case. I was impressed with the detail and sensitivity of the report.

Experts such as the team at Black Box are, in my view, filling a gap in the legal system by providing reports which provide juries with critical context of dangers and exploitation faced by many defendants.

I am grateful for their assistance in shedding light on these issues which remain under-recognised and misunderstood by the legal system and often the general public."

Phoebe Coleman, Solicitor, Sonn MacMillan Walker Law

 

"Our firm instructed Dr. Grace Robinson in a complicated case in which our young client faced serious charges in both the Youth Court and the Crown Court.

After meeting our client in person Grace concluded, as an expert, that they had a valid s.45 Modern Slavery defence and drafted a comprehensive and balanced report in support of this conclusion.

Her report was two-fold in that it detailed the legal complexities of this defence and applied the law to our case drawing from a number of external sources including social workers, police logs and the case papers.

We were able to submit her highly persuasive report to the Crown for consideration and the outcome was the discontinuation of prosecution for all our client’s matters.
 
Grace is personable and professional, her integrity and independence as an expert is exemplary and I would have no hesitation at all in recommending her as an expert."

Felicity Joslin, Solicitor, Shentons Solicitors

"Having known and worked alongside Dr. Grace Robinson for several years, I have witnessed her unwavering dedication as an Expert Witness and her deep commitment to combating Modern Slavery, Child Criminal Exploitation, Human Trafficking, and other related arenas.

Her expertise, professionalism, and genuine passion for helping vulnerable juveniles / individuals make her a true leader in these areas. She consistently brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to every case she works on, ensuring the highest standards are met.

Dr. Robinson and her company excel in all they do, delivering exceptional results and making a lasting impact in their field."

Darrell Jones, CEO, Drug Expert Witness Ltd

 

"Dr. Robinson is consistently instructed by our firm due to the meaningful and thorough reports she produces in the most complex and serious cases of modern day slavery.

She is one of the very few experts located in the UK that can undertake such reports. Her assistance is a valuable asset when preparing defence cases."

Carly Twyne, Solicitor, Stryders Law

"Grace Robinson at Black Box greatly assisted with the preparation of our Defence, providing us with her valuable expertise and compiling an extremely useful report which we sought to rely upon in a matter we were instructed to represent a Defendant on.

The report compiled was simple, concise and contained all relevant information which we hoped it would illustrate. This was even later endorsed and echoed by another expert we had instructed. Grace was also very easy to communicate with and always available.

Will definitely be looking to use her again in future."

Zaynah Dar, Solicitor, Tuckers

 

"Dr. Grace Robinson and Black Box have a uniquely skilled expertise, an ease with clients, and understanding and flexibility in the face of the many challenges posed by the deteriorating criminal justice system.

The reports produced are thorough and the findings reliable. I am more than happy to recommend their work."

Zachary Whyte, Solicitor, Sperrin Law

 

"Black Box has done a number of evaluations of projects we have worked on. Their professionalism, curiosity and attention to detail stood out from early on. The team also cares, ensuring they gathered as much information as possible to support their evaluation via interviews with staff and participants on the projects. Black Box sat in on sessions to observe processes and would analyse data. 

On reviewing their evaluations, they paid particular attention to areas of improvement for our projects which, of course, we understand help improve outcomes.

It has been a pleasure to work with Black Box."

Carlus Grant, Programme Facilitator, Project Connect

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Founded by Dr Grace Robinson in 2019.

OUR PRIMARY AIM IS TO SUPPORT VICTIMS AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF MODERN SLAVERY.

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