Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy 2025: equality impact assessment

Recommendations and Conclusion

Throughout the process of engagement with external and internal stakeholders the new Strategy has evolved in line with feedback and impact analysis.

The Strategy is underpinned by seven principles which will guide all activities taken forward. Each of these principles has been included following our ongoing impact analysis throughout the process of delivering the new Strategy. The Strategy includes, amongst others, principles of age and gender sensitivity and cultural competence.

The impact analysis has:

• Identified that more insight is required on how the sex of victims impacts trafficking and exploitation. Trafficking impacts women, men, girls and boys differently and some forms of trafficking and exploitation are more likely to affect one sex over another. It is important that this recognition translates into appropriate support for each survivor of trafficking and exploitation and more research on this is needed to ensure that we can tailor support appropriately to these needs.
• That further work is required to understand the challenges/impact of pregnancy and maternity on human trafficking and exploitation.
• More information is required to assess the barriers faced by people with gender reassignment in relation to human trafficking and exploitation.
• The impact of sexual orientation on human trafficking and exploitation requires further research.
• Additional insight is required into the impact of race and racism on human trafficking and exploitation.
• The impact of religion or belief on human trafficking and exploitation requires further evidence.

Our evidence gathering has highlighted the importance of the survivor voice in delivery of the new Strategy. While the existing Strategy has put in place some positive foundations around lived experience, it is clear that this requires a stronger and ongoing commitment as we move forward. The new Strategy has been drafted to reflect the inclusion of the survivor voice within the overarching purpose and a commitment that lived experience will influence and shape strategic actions across all outcomes.

As a result of the equality impact assessment, we have identified a range of groups where data and evidence is scarce, particularly in relation to the situation in Scotland. We recognise that further evidence and data is required in order to support the Strategy to make the most impactful interventions.

We are committed to developing the evidence base in relation to human trafficking and exploitation in Scotland and Outcome 3 (Improved use of data, evidence and research informs strategy implementation) reinforces this commitment. Initially, this will involve a broad assessment of what data is currently available/collected that may provide insight into human trafficking. We will then further consider, alongside relevant partners, where further data collection is necessary.