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Scotland’s Slaves - Amnesty International Briefing on Trafficking in Scotland

Document number
1745
Date
2008
Title
Scotland’s Slaves - Amnesty International Briefing on Trafficking in Scotland
Author/publisher
Amnesty International
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Human trafficking, Labour exploitation, Sexual exploitation, Law enforcement, Compensation, Victims (of trafficking), Trafficked persons, Protection, Assistance, Civil society, Human rights approach, NGO, Advocacy
Summary
The research report suggests that people trafficking - the modern-day equivalent of the slave trade - is occurring around Scotland. The "Scotland's Slaves" briefing paper, launched by Amnesty International, brings information from the police, local authorities, support services and voluntary organisations for the first time and presents the most comprehensive picture to date of the extent of people trafficking in Scotland. Findings include: • During 'Operation Pentameter 2', Scottish police forces raided over 50 premises in Scotland: 59 people were dealt with as victims of trafficking and 35 suspects were arrested • The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) estimate that Scotland has 13.5% of the UK's trade in human beings (despite having less than 10% of the population) • Cases of trafficking have been found in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Stirling and Tayside • Victims from Lithuania, Slovakia, Nigeria, China, Estonia, Somalia, Thailand, Guinea and Russia have been found in Scotland Launching the report, Kate Allen said: "To date most attention has been given to the plight of women trafficked into the sex trade, but we have also found evidence of trafficking into Scotland for domestic and agricultural labour. "The case information we have been given also shows that there are different methods of trafficking and different routes into Scotland. We have come across an example of marriage being used as a mechanism of trafficking women into Scotland for sexual exploitation. And we have seen cases of trafficked persons being recovered at the port of Stranraer. "Amnesty is concerned that victims of trafficking in Scotland are not being properly identified and without acceptance of their status they cannot access appropriate services or help police with their enquiries. The fight against trafficking has been very much police-led in the UK but we know that many victims of trafficking will never disclose their situation to a police officer because they fear shame, deportation or reprisals from their traffickers. This is why Amnesty recommends a multi-agency approach to identification.
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