Overview of the MSCOS Study
The Modern Slavery Core Outcome Set (MSCOS) has been developed to strengthen the practice, assessment and evaluation of interventions for the recovery, well-being and integration of adult survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking (1). MSCOS is the result of a study by King’s College London, conducted in partnership with Survivor Alliance, the University of Nottingham Rights Lab, the University of East London, and the Helen Bamber Foundation. The study was informed and guided throughout by the MSCOS Research Advisory Board, which is comprised of Survivor Leaders (professional experts with lived experience).
The MSCOS was developed through a year-long consensus-driven research project involving three rapid systematic literature reviews, 46 primary interviews with survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery, three stakeholder workshops, and a three-part international E-Delphi process. The MSCOS study and documentation includes the MSCOS Final Study Report.
Survivor inclusion has been instrumental in creating a high-quality MSCOS with outcomes that are meaningful for survivors and accurately reflect their priorities. The majority of our workshop and E-Delphi participants were survivors, and our work has been guided throughout by the MSCOS Research Advisory Board which comprises professional experts and peer-researchers who have lived experience.
The MSCOS presents a set of core outcomes that should, as a minimum standard, form the basis for interventions for adult survivor recovery and reintegration, as well as providing a framework for policy and service design and evaluation.
The MSCOS comprises seven core outcomes:
The core outcomes are accompanied by a further 38 outcomes in the MSCOS Outcomes Long-list. The long-list was developed alongside the MSCOS in the consensus process. The MSCOS should be supplemented with relevant outcomes from the Outcome Long-list depending on contextual factors and survivor demographics.
The MSCOS Community of Practice
The MSCOS Community of Practice has been established to continue the lifespan of the MSCOS project. It is comprised of survivor leaders, academics, multi-disciplinary practitioners, frontline service providers and a range of other stakeholders. The Community of Practice will create forums for discussion and practice-sharing by stakeholders across related disciplines to work towards finding consensus for practical, adaptable and measurable standards for the MSCOS.
The second iteration of the MSCOS academic study by Kings College London and partners, requires funding for the development a framework of practical, adaptable and measurable standards for the MSCOS. This will likely involve:
(1) The MSCOS is only for use with adult survivors because experiences of trafficking, statutory rights and entitlements and forms of support, as well as the outcomes that child survivors may prioritise, differ substantially from those of adults. For a children's core outcome set, we are partnered with "Creating Stable Futures: Human Trafficking, Participation, and Outcomes for Children".
The Modern Slavery Core Outcome Set (MSCOS) has been developed to strengthen the practice, assessment and evaluation of interventions for the recovery, well-being and integration of adult survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking (1). MSCOS is the result of a study by King’s College London, conducted in partnership with Survivor Alliance, the University of Nottingham Rights Lab, the University of East London, and the Helen Bamber Foundation. The study was informed and guided throughout by the MSCOS Research Advisory Board, which is comprised of Survivor Leaders (professional experts with lived experience).
The MSCOS was developed through a year-long consensus-driven research project involving three rapid systematic literature reviews, 46 primary interviews with survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery, three stakeholder workshops, and a three-part international E-Delphi process. The MSCOS study and documentation includes the MSCOS Final Study Report.
Survivor inclusion has been instrumental in creating a high-quality MSCOS with outcomes that are meaningful for survivors and accurately reflect their priorities. The majority of our workshop and E-Delphi participants were survivors, and our work has been guided throughout by the MSCOS Research Advisory Board which comprises professional experts and peer-researchers who have lived experience.
The MSCOS presents a set of core outcomes that should, as a minimum standard, form the basis for interventions for adult survivor recovery and reintegration, as well as providing a framework for policy and service design and evaluation.
The MSCOS comprises seven core outcomes:
- Secure and suitable housing
- Long-term, consistent support
- Finding purpose in life and self-actualisation
- Safety from any trafficker or other abuser
- Access to medical treatment
- Access to education
- Trauma-informed services
The core outcomes are accompanied by a further 38 outcomes in the MSCOS Outcomes Long-list. The long-list was developed alongside the MSCOS in the consensus process. The MSCOS should be supplemented with relevant outcomes from the Outcome Long-list depending on contextual factors and survivor demographics.
The MSCOS Community of Practice
The MSCOS Community of Practice has been established to continue the lifespan of the MSCOS project. It is comprised of survivor leaders, academics, multi-disciplinary practitioners, frontline service providers and a range of other stakeholders. The Community of Practice will create forums for discussion and practice-sharing by stakeholders across related disciplines to work towards finding consensus for practical, adaptable and measurable standards for the MSCOS.
The second iteration of the MSCOS academic study by Kings College London and partners, requires funding for the development a framework of practical, adaptable and measurable standards for the MSCOS. This will likely involve:
- A scoping review to identify what measures are currently used in modern slavery work
- Workshops with survivors on the indicators and measures identified, assessing which are the most sensitive, least intrusive measures and whether survivors prefer to self-report on certain outcomes; and
- Creating a rubric of standards to complement the MSCOS.
(1) The MSCOS is only for use with adult survivors because experiences of trafficking, statutory rights and entitlements and forms of support, as well as the outcomes that child survivors may prioritise, differ substantially from those of adults. For a children's core outcome set, we are partnered with "Creating Stable Futures: Human Trafficking, Participation, and Outcomes for Children".