Scottish government launches human trafficking strategy

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson today launched the Scottish government’s Human Trafficking Strategy, which is out for consultation from today.

The strategy aims to disrupt perpetrators and improve support for traumatised victims and involves joint working with Police Scotland, the third sector and partners across the UK.

Its three themes are raising awareness; improving detection and prevention; and improving support and assistance for victims.

Mr Matheson said: “Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime, causing lasting physical and psychological damage, yet such exploitation is happening in Scotland today. The number of trafficking victims identified and rescued in Scotland rose by 46 per cent in the two years up to 2015.

“The new Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act has already created a new offence of trafficking with a possible maximum life sentence. Today’s draft strategy sets out the approach to address trafficking and exploitation, aimed at exposing and eradicating these crimes.

“We want to support victims to safety and recovery, identify and disrupt perpetrators, and address the conditions, local and global, that foster trafficking and exploitation. In order to do that, cross-border working, including continued support from Europol is absolutely vital.

“I encourage anyone who has encountered such crimes – as a victim or witness or any other interested party – to have their say and help shape our action against these vile criminals. There must be no place to hide for them in Scotland.”