New Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill for Scotland

Date: 12th December 2014
Category: Special protection measures

Introduced by the Scottish Government, this Bill will establish a specific law to address trafficking & exploitation through slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

The legislation was introduced on 12th December 2014 and will provide clearer guidance for prosecutors and require Scottish Ministers to publish a Scottish Anti-Trafficking and Exploitation strategy. It will clarify and strengthen criminal law by introducing a new single human trafficking offence and increasing the maximum penalty for offenders to life imprisonment.

In its 2014 'State of Children's Rights in Scotland' report, Together recommends that the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Bill and accompanying strategy should:

A. be underpinned by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children;
B. take into account the similarities and differences between child and adult trafficking;
C. fully embed the identification and support for child trafficking victims into existing child protection processes, and
D. consult widely on the Trafficking Bill and Strategy to include those in the children's sector with practical experience in working with child trafficking victims.

A Child Impact Assessment has been undertaken for the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Bill, which is the first Child Impact Assessment to be completed for a Scottish Parliament Bill.

• Download the Child Impact Assessment here.
• Access the Bill (as introduced) with accompanying policy memorandum and explanatory notes here.
• Download a copy of Together's State of Children's Rights report 2014 here.