Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy 2025: Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment

Summary of aims and expected outcomes of strategy, proposal, programme or policy

The aim of the strategy is to prevent human trafficking and exploitation in Scotland and to respond effectively when it does occur. This will be achieved by providing a clear framework, informed by data and survivor voices, through which our anti-trafficking interventions will be delivered. Taking a public health approach, the Strategy aims to prevent harm before it occurs, intervene early when it does and support recovery. The following principles will underpin this approach:

• human rights
• trauma informed and culturally competent
• victim-survivor informed
• gender sensitive
• age sensitive
• multi-agency approach
• partnership working at local, Scottish, UK and international level.

The expected outcomes of the strategy are that:

1. child and adult victims are identified, protected and supported to safety and long-term recovery

2. perpetrators are identified, their activities are disrupted, and they are prosecuted

3. improved use of data, evidence and research informs strategy implementation

4. conditions that expose children, adults and communities in Scotland to increased risks of trafficking and re-trafficking are addressed.

In September 2023 we published a review^[1] of the Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy 2017 which concluded that some specific areas required attention, such as the requirement for a more strategic approach to awareness raising and training opportunities and a greater emphasis on evidence and data collection and sharing. Stakeholders also remarked that a number of the overarching objectives within the Strategy remain core aspirations and continue to provide important direction. The revised Strategy could improve the interconnectedness of work under each Action Area, improving the flow of information sharing, cross-group working and learning.

A number of the goals within the Strategy, as set in 2017, needed to be revised. As such, it was concluded that the Key Performance Indicators warranted a refresh to bring them in line with policy and operational developments.

From the extensive engagement undertaken, it was clear that stakeholders’ view was that a refresh of the Strategy should be prioritised and this would allow us to reflect the changing landscape and evolving workstreams in our attempts to combat human trafficking.

This will look to reflect the operational realities since 2017, progress in Scotland’s attempts to combat trafficking and exploitation, and set objectives for the future.

This work will be undertaken in partnership with stakeholders and will be informed by the lived experience of trafficking survivors. It will also utilise information gathered as part of the review. The refresh will also reflect the evolving legislative environment including the UK Government’s legislation in the area of immigration and border security.

As part of this refresh, we aim to review membership of the governance structure and the process by which annual reports into the Strategy are conducted and published.