MS-CoP was established by the Modern Slavery Core Outcome Set Study, conducted by Kings College London and Partners.  In 2025 it became a Community Interest Company (CIC).

We are a virtual community, designed and developed by practitioners, academics and professionals with lived experience who are members of our Research Advisory Board.

Our community network includes survivor leaders, academics, and professionals from all modern slavery-related fields: Government and councils, criminal and immigration/asylum law, police, the judiciary, healthcare and therapeutic care services, social work, specialist charities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).  

We support diverse professionals who work in relation to modern slavery, to share and develop their collective knowledge, skills and expertise:

• We provide inter-disciplinary training, forums, meetings and publications focused on promising professional practice for survivors of modern slavery in all related fields.

• We partner with leading academics conducting co-produced research studies, providing trauma-informed and supported environments for engagement with lived experience participants.

• We offer practical support to assist Survivor Leaders with their professional work and engagement in the modern slavery sector.

• We promote promising models of practice and specialised service provision for survivors of modern slavery.  

Modern Slavery/Human trafficking is an endemic, proliferating crime. The trafficking of adults and children for all forms of exploitation is continuing to rise as poverty, conflict and climate change leave more and more people vulnerable to traffickers.  In 2025, the highest ever number of victims (23,411) were referred to the UK National Referral Mechanism (NRM).‍ ‍

Victims of modern slavery face high risks and remain vulnerable for years after trafficking. Their future after trafficking depends upon the capacity and expertise of professionals with whom they come into contact. They need access to multiple services: mental and physical healthcare, legal advice and representation, housing and welfare, NGOs/charities, police and criminal justice.  However, modern slavery has been de-prioritised on the political agenda, and services are suffering a serious lack of resources and morale. Professionals can find themselves working in isolation with victims, without sufficient knowledge or support and with risks of staff burn out and vicarious traumatisation.  

We recognise that if the needs of professionals in the modern slavery sector are met, they are better equipped to co-ordinate and deliver an effective response for survivors they work with.    While many forums are dedicated to academia and policy in the modern slavery field, the Modern Slavery Community of Practice is centred in professional practice. It is easily accessible for busy professionals working across all disciplines and in all locations. We offer trauma informed, moderated and constructive online forums where professionals can access vital peer support, information about modern slavery practice, exchange knowledge, and learn about expert working methods and collaborative research

We believe that collaborative time and resources should be invested in the promotion and further development of existing promising practices in the modern slavery sector. 

The foundation for all of our work is the Modern Slavery Core Outcome Set (MSCOS, Kings College London & partners) and its equivalent for children and young people, Creating Stable Futures: Positive Outcomes Framework (ECPAT/University of Sheffield Hallam and Helena Kennedy Centre).

The Modern Slavery Community of Practice aligns with the Universal Declaration of Human Rightsand the UN Sustainable Development Goals and all other international human rights laws and standards. 

We follow the practice methods, principles and standards of the ​OSCE/ODIHR National Referral Mechanisms Handbook; Survivor Alliance, Engaging People with Lived Experience Programme Lifecycle Handbook and related publications and The Trauma Informed Code of Conduct for All Professionals Working with Survivors of Trafficking and Slavery (TiCC).  Witkin/Robjant, Helen Bamber Foundation.