A vulnerable woman, held as a slave in a horrendous environment for 25 years, was rescued by police after enduring repeated abuse and deprivation at the hands of her captor, Mandy Wixon, 56. The victim, who has learning difficulties, was just 16 when she was invited for a weekend stay with Wixon's family, a visit that turned into a nightmare as she was lured into captivity. Over the years, she was subjected to physical violence, forced labor in squalid conditions, and lived on scraps. Wixon took advantage of her victim's vulnerability, even profiting from welfare benefits meant for the young woman.

After her rescue, the victim's condition revealed the extent of her suffering. She was found in a filthy house where basic hygiene was non-existent and where she had been routinely beaten and humiliated. The police reported that during her ordeal, the victim had been assaulted many times, indicating the prolonged nature of her abuse. The trauma inflicted on her over a quarter of a century serves not only as a personal tragedy but also raises alarming questions about safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the effectiveness of measures to prevent such long-term captivity.

The community in Tewkesbury is understandably shocked, as this incident underscores the dark potential for domestic abuse that can spiral into slavery. As legal proceedings continue against Amanda Wixon, advocates for victims of abuse emphasize the importance of revisiting support systems that should have protected the victim and others in similar situations, fostering a broader discussion about the need for vigilance against domestic slavery in the UK.