You can find all of our MSCOS updates here.
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Our MSCOS updates are sent to all subscribers (you can join us here). These feature practitioners across the anti-trafficking sector, sharing their work and their perspectives on practice. 

Click into each "Read more here" for the summaries and full versions in PDF format. 
fEBRUARY 2023
Week 1
​21 February 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors:
  • Beth Mullen-Feroze, Taskforce on Victims of Human Trafficking in Immigration Detention
  • Professor Alison Fiander, Cardiff University
  • Jane Lasonder, Red Alert
  • Dr. Emma Veitch, Helen Bamber Foundation
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Secure and suitable housing
  • Suggestion that an independent monitoring body should inspect all forms of housing provided to survivors of trafficking
  • Information on viability of hosting services for survivors of trafficking
  • Beth Mullen-Feroze, Chair of the Taskforce on Victims of Human Trafficking in Immigration Detention reminds us that an increasing number of survivors are forced to live in immigration detention 

​Access to medical treatment
  • Professor Alison Fiander of Cardiff University and Jane Lasonder of Red Alert are seeking contributors for a forthcoming manual for healthcare professional and workers, including medical students
  • ​Dr. Emma Veitch of Helen Bamber Foundation highlights the difficulty of securing diagnostic assessments for survivors with a suspected intellectual / learning disability (and thus access to the support of a Learning Disability team)
MSCOS Week 1 Update (21 Feb 2023)
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Week 2
​28 February 2023

Focus of the week:  Contributors:
  • Detective Inspector Helen Miller, Metropolitan Police London
  • MSCOS Research Advisory Board
x
​Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
  • Detective Inspector Helen Miller KPM, Metropolitan Police London discusses her work alongside Justice & Care to introduce the Victim Navigator Programme into the Metropolitan Police Service
  • Members of the MSCOS Research Advisory Board provide recommendations to help and support survivors to report crime safely and with confidence. These recommendations included training, employment of survivor leaders, increasing public awareness and using health and safety standards.
MSCOS Week 2 Update (28 Feb 2023)
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Week 3
​7 March 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors:
  • Robin Brierley, West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network
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Working with core outcomes as a set &
Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
  • ​Robin Brierley, Modern Slavery Consultant on Trafficking and Slavery introduces the West Midlands Anti-Slavery network, a network which meets quarterly as a group of multiple agencies to share localised trafficking updates, statistics, trends and good practice

Access to medical treatment
  • Doctors of the World UK have a Safe Surgeries Toolkit with the aim of addressing the particular barriers to primary care for survivors of trafficking
MSCOS Week 3 Update (7 March 2023)
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march 2023
Week 4
14 March 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Liz Such, University of Nottingham
  • SAMSHA
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Working with core outcomes as a set &
Access to medical treatment
  • Liz Such, Ann McLaren Fellow at the School of Health Sciences, Univeristy of Nottingham describes how a public health approach is an over-arching way of looking at the problem of modern slavery that encourages us to think about things that drive it in society and how they can be addressed

Compassionate, trauma-informed services
  • SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-informed Approach provides a framework for a trauma-informed approach and is recognises the impact of trauma on many sectors in behavioural health and beyond
MSCOS Week 4 Update (14 March 2023)
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Week 5
​21 March 2023

Focus of the week:Contributors:
  • MSCOS Research Advisory Board
  • Dr Julia Tomas, The Passage
  • Dr Sally Jowlett, The Anchor Glasgow Psychological Trauma Service
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Secure and suitable housing
  • Members of the MSCOS Research Advisory Board emphasise the need for principled and practical revision for each of the systems via which survivors of trafficking / modern slavery are accommodated
  • Dr Julia Tomas, Anti-Slavery Coordinator of The Passage describes The Passage Modern Slavery Toolkit, a multi-agency tool which supports other charities and local authorities to create their own modern slavery service and do multi-agency work in a formalised way to build a better support network for survivors

Compassionate, trauma-informed services
  • Dr Sally Jowlett, Principle Clinical Psychologist, Victims of Trafficking Strand, at The Anchor Glasgow Psychological Trauma Service speaks about the 4-Tier Transforming Psychological Trauma Framework which has been invested in by the Scottish Government to make sure that Scotland's workforce can recognise and respond to trauma
MSCOS Week 5 Update (21 March 2023)
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Week 6
​28 March 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors:
  • Philippa Southwell, Southwell and Partners
x
Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
  • Philippa Southwell from Southwell and Partners says that identification of victims is key, and in the UK, many victims continue to be prosecuted for crimes they have been compelled to commit as a result of their exploitation despite the non-prosecution principle, statutory defence (s45 Modern Slavery Act) and the Crown Prosecution Guidance. She introduces the Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Law and Practice (Bloomsbury), of which she is a co-author.
  • A summary of practice suggestions to date, including:
    • Public awareness and safety of public premises
    • Safety of NRM practices
    • Safe and supported access to police / law enforcement
    • Multi-agency hub systems
    • Online safety
MSCOS Week 6 Update (28 March 2023)
File Size: 487 kb
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april 2023
Week 7
​5 April 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Independent Modern Slavery Advocates, British Red Cross, Hope for Justice, The Snowdrop Project
  • Dragana Wright, Helen Bamber Foundation
  • Rosie Bacon, ATLEU
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Long-term, consistent support:
  • The Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) Model has been developed by the British Red Cross, Hope for Justice and The Snowdrop Project, together with Independent Consultants with Lived Experience of Modern Slavery. This provides a framework for the accreditation of Independent Modern Slavery Advocates (IMSA), to establish a model of advocacy that is standardised and can be replicated throughout the UK.
  • Dragana Wright, Counter-Trafficking Casework Manager, Helen Bamber Foundation describes why a trusting, long-term professional relationship with survivors is necessary, to recognise the nuances of their presentation during each interaction, especially as the likelihood and severity of a client’s risk is rarely static; a person’s situation can rapidly change.
  • Rosie Bacon, Activism and Engagement Manager (Lived Experience), ATLEU, describes her new role in initiating a Lived Experience Network for facilitators, activists, researchers and others who are developing similar spaces in a professional capacity across the anti-trafficking sector to come together to share updates, learning and opportunities for joint working. She has also set up an induction programme and pilot advisory group for survivor leaders. 

Other features
  • Keith Lewis speaks at the Innovation Forum on the crucial importance of raising awareness of the prevalence of human trafficking and how it operates in plain sight, and  the need for centralising survivor voices when designing business programs / advocating for changes to policy.
  • Shiva Foundation's launch of the Self-Assessment Scorecard which allows local authorities to easily assess their modern slavery risk across the key thematic areas mentioned above and provides advice on how they can improve
MSCOS Week 7 Update (5 April 2023)
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Week 8
18 April 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • MSCOS Research Advisory Board
  • Dr Allison Ward, RESPOND
  • St. Mary's University
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Access to medical treatment:
  • Brook, a member of the MSCOS Research Advisory Board says that training of all personnel who work in healthcare services is essential
  • Dr Allison Ward, RESPOND Clinical co-lead, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust describes the RESPOND service, an integrated health care system with a specialist refugee health multi-disciplinary team, providing healthcare services for asylum-seekers and refugees, including those who are victims of human trafficking.
  • St Mary's University collaborating with the Wilberforce Institute, University of Hull and Justice and Care has created a report which recommends the need for cohesive and consistent healthcare and health planning for victims of domestic trafficking (those trafficked within the borders of one country). 
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Other features
  • The ISTAC Code of Practice reflects States’ obligations and international good practices to protect victims and survivors of human trafficking under international, regional and national laws as well as with National Referral Mechanisms (NRMs) and equivalent mechanisms. 
MSCOS Week 8 Update (18 April 2023)
File Size: 403 kb
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Week 9
26 April 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Shandra Woworuntu, International Survivor Leader
  • Dr Silvana Unigwe andDr Emma Veitch, Helen Bamber Foundation
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Safety from any trafficker or other abuser:
  • Shandra Woworuntu, International Survivor Leader, emphasises the importance of having survivor leaders professionally employed in criminal justice systems as independent expert consultants, victim support advocates and victim navigators

Access to medical treatment
  • Dr Silvana Unigwe (GP, former head of Medical Advisory Service, Helen Bamber Foundation) and Dr Emma Veitch (Clinical Psychologist, Helen Bamber Foundation) have recently convened a number of semi structured discussions with variety of health professionals (working in physical and mental health) to capture current practice and identify gaps in service provision, knowledge and training in the Modern Slavery and Cognitive Disability Working Group, which brings together expertise on supporting survivors of modern slavery with cognitive disabilities.
MSCOS Week 9 Update (26 April 2023)
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May 2023
Week 10
​3 May 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Professor Patricia Hynes, Sheffield Hallam University
  • Dr Kemi Komolafe, Helen Bamber Foundation
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Relevant frameworks for children and young people
  • Professor Patricia Hynes, Professor of Social Justice at Sheffield Hallam University explains the Creating Stable Futures Positive Outcomes Framework for children. This research project aimed to understand what positive outcomes for young people would look like, and what the pathways towards these positive outcomes might be. It examines how to ensure protection and support for children who have experienced modern slavery. 

Access to medical treatment
  • Dr Kemi Komolafe, Clinical Psychologist, Helen Bamber Foundation emphasises the importance of advocating and protecting children and young people through our work. That means working on the prevention of harm, intervening early and prioritising the mental health of known survivors and the children of adult survivors.
MSCOS Week 10 Update (3 May 2023)
File Size: 453 kb
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Week 11
​10 May 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Donya Lamrhari, Children's Society
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Access to education
  • Donya Lamrhari, Systems Change Lead, The Children’s Society describes the Working with Education to Protect Young People from Exploitation toolkit, which aims to help school staff develop their understanding of exploitation and how best to respond.
MSCOS Week 11 Update (10 May 2023)
File Size: 335 kb
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Week 12
​23 May 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Ruth Aguele, MSCOS Research Advisory Board
  • Rachel Sterling, Sophie Hayes Foundation
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Finding purpose in life and self-actualisation
  • Ruth Aguele, member of the MSCOS Research Advisory Board co-designed and facilitated our first online forum, focussing on finding purpose in life and self-actualisation. She describes her learnings and feedback on this experience. 

Access to education
  • Rachel Sterling, Enrichment Employability Programme Coordinator of Sophie Hayes Foundation describes the work that the Sophie Hayes Foundation does and its impact on survivors and wider society.
MSCOS Week 12 Update (23 May 2023)
File Size: 363 kb
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June 2023
Week 13
​8 June 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Peter, MSCOS Research Advisory Board
  • Commonwealth 8.7 Network webinar on Modern Slavery and Disability
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Finding purpose in life and self-actualisation
  • Peter, member of the MSCOS Research Advisory Board shares his thoughts on self-actualisation and why the right support is necessary

Access to medical treatment
  • The Commonwealth 8.7 Network webinar on Modern Slavery and Disability brought together experts from Europe, Asia and Africa to explore the intersections of disability and modern slavery and the need to uphold their rights and ensure protection. This webinar focused on the human rights social model of disability, exploring the societal factors that lead to disproportionate risks of human trafficking, rather than framing disability as an inherent vulnerability.
MSCOS Week 13 Update (8 June 2023)
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Week 14
​15 June 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Kezia Llewelyn, Brunel University
  • Dr Nicola Wright, University of Nottingham
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Access to  medical treatment
  • Kezia Llewelyn, Associate Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University describes how occupational therapy can work in a practical way for survivors of trafficking / modern slavery, and can complement, or run in parallel with other forms of care for health and well-being.

Finding purpose in life and self-actualisation
  • Dr Nicola Wright, Associate Professor in Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, explains the MOMENTS studies which aimed to explore initially what recovery meant to survivors of modern slavery and then to gain consensus on the core components of recovery across different stakeholder groups.

Other features:
  • A talk on  UK asylum age assessment processes, their planned evolution, and the best interests of children by the Baobab Centre
  • Launch event for the 2nd International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC)
MSCOS Week 14 Update (15 June 2023)
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july 2023
Week 15
​6 July 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Keith Lewis, MSCOS Research Advisory Board
  • David Adamson, British Standards Institute
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Secure and suitable housing
  • Impact in practice by changes to licensing by the UK Government for new accommodation to house asylum applicants
  • Keith Lewis, Committee Member of the British Standards Institute (BSI) believes that the use of licensing and regulation of standards, whether it is for public venues, workplaces, private rented housing or state-provided accommodation, offers a prevention tool for the prevention of human trafficking and modern slavery
MSCOS Week 15 Update (6 July 2023)
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Week 16
​13 July 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Divya Emmi, Human Trafficking Foundation
  • Delphine Peace, Durham University
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Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
  • Divya Emmi, Policy and Partnerships Officer at the Human Trafficking Foundation coordinates the London Modern Slavery Leads (LMSL) Network, which has highlighted the urgent need for transitional safeguarding for young adults, recognising that the needs of young people do not suddenly change or stop when they reach the age of 18, although the support provided to them often does.
  • Delphine Peace, Researcher at the Contextual Safeguarding Research Programme, Sociology Department of Durham University describes the framework of contextual safeguarding, which has supported local authorities, voluntary and community sector organisations and schools in England and Wales to make ‘systems changes’ to their child protection services so that they are better able to identify and respond to instances of ‘extra-familial harm’ experienced by young people.
MSCOS Week 16 Update (13 July 2023)
File Size: 502 kb
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Week 17
​21 July 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Kate Davis, Modern Slavery Organised Immigration Crime Unit
  • Centre for Social Justice
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Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
  • Kate Davis, Review and Guidance Specialist for the Modern Slavery Organised Immigration Crime Unit explains the Unit’s work on cultural resources for best practice in policing; Operation Mandevilla, which is a pilot project with pregnancy advisory clinics in West Yorkshire; and partnership with Medaille Trust in relation to Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) interviews.
  • Tatiana Gren-Jardan, Head of the Modern Slavery Unit, Centre for Social Justice who chaired a keynote speech and Q&A from Jess Phillips, Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, who made some positive recommendations for improvements to practice for survivors of Modern Slavery
MSCOS Week 17 Update (21 July 2023)
File Size: 442 kb
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august 2023
Week 19
​9 August 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Alison Pickup, Asylum Aid
  • Wendy Caballero and Keith Lewis, MSCOS Research Advisory Board
x
Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
  • Alison Pickup, Director of Asylum Aid, explains the role of legal work and securing leave to remain for survivors in relation to MSCOS. She shares an outline of Asylum Aid’s ethos and practice for working with survivors, and its wider focus on impact via key strategic litigation (most recently the Rwanda case), as well as Asylum Aid’s collaborative project on developing legal expertise and peer communities with the Justice Together initiative.
  • Wendy Caballero and Keith Lewis of the MSCOS Research Advisory Board gave some insight on the role of music in Finding Purpose in Life and Self-Actualisation.
MSCOS Week 19 Update (9 August 2023)
File Size: 408 kb
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Week 20
​23 August 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Beth Mullan-Feroze, Helen Bamber Foundation
  • British Medical Journal
  • Brook and Peter Parker, MSCOS Research Advisory Board
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Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
  • Beth Mullan-Feroze, HBF Counter-Trafficking Legal & Policy Manager explains the recent report Leave in Limbo: Survivors of Trafficking with uncertain immigration status, calling for all survivors of trafficking with a positive, final (‘Conclusive Grounds’) decision from the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) to be automatically granted recourse to public funds, appropriate support in accordance with their individual needs, and a leave to remain in the UK for at least 30 months, with viable routes to settlement.   
  • British Medical Journal article, Health workers are in a unique position to help identify human trafficking (BMJ 2023;382:p1745) makes the case that health workers are uniquely situated to identify, treat, and protect trafficked persons and that ‘front line health workers are often the only public sector employees to meet trafficked persons during their ordeal.’ 
  • Brook and Peter Parker of the MSCOS Research Advisory Board gave some insight on the role of makeup and craft in Finding Purpose in Life and Self-Actualisation.
MSCOS Week 20 Update (23 August 2023)
File Size: 624 kb
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Week 18
​2 August 2023

Focus of the week: Contributors: 
  • Sam
  • Ruth Aguele, MSCOS Research Advisory Board
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Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
  • In the film about her experience, Sam shares her detailed and in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice, and offers a few recommendations for needed improvements.

Finding purpose in life and self-actualisation
  • Ruth Aguele, member of the MSCOS Research Advisory Board shares her views on the latest forum, where survivor leaders talked about art, music, film, theatre, social media and activities they enjoy, considering it from the viewpoint of their daily lives outside of lived experience and survivor leadership, as well as connections within it.  
MSCOS Week 18 Update (2 August 2023)
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september 2023

Week 21
26 September 2023


Focus of the week:Contributors: 
  • Kevin Hyland OBE
  • Dame Sarah Thornton
october 2023
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