Tackling Human Trafficking In Scotland

A Scottish Government strategy will help train professionals to spot the signs of human trafficking and provide new powers to disrupt trafficking activity.

The Scottish Government's Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy also highlights the need to better publicise support for victims and confirms that public awareness activity will take place later this year. The strategy aims to identify victims and support them through safety and recovery; identify perpetrators and disrupt their activity and to address the conditions that foster trafficking and exploitation.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, said; Developing the Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy has included listening to victims themselves, who have provided a unique insight into the physical and psychological damage caused by trafficking. We have emphasised the need to let people know that there is support available for victims, wherever the are recovered in Scotland.

"Exposing and eradicating these horrific crimes remain high on the agenda, and following the passing of legislation to create an offence of human trafficking with a possible life sentence attached. I am pleased that Police Scotland and the Crown Office will be able to apply for new orders to disrupt traffickers' activity.

"Better awareness among the general public and training for professionals is key to this work, which will be taken forward with a range of partners, including the Police, Crown and third sector. The trafficking and exploitation of adults and children is happening in Scotland today and we all have a role in bringing it to an end. Today's strategy is the blueprint towards realising the aim and eliminating such appalling activity in Scotland."

Human trafficking has been steadily on the rise in Scotland, and is swiftly becoming a serious issue that has very little public recognition. The lack of public knowledge towards these awful crimes is allowing human trafficking to mostly go unnoticed and unreported, making strengthening awareness a very important part of the new strategy.

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