Equally Safe delivery plan: progress report

Deliverable 12

12. We will ensure that the considerations of the Justice Board and the delivery of the Vision for Justice reflect the key themes of Equally Safe and the Report from the Women in Justice Leadership Panel

Delivery plan actions to help meet this deliverable:

12.1 We will progress Scotland’s strategic approach to challenging and deterring men’s demand for prostitution and support the recovery and sustainable exit of those involved in prostitution.

12.2 We will use improvement methodology to consider change solutions to address concerns relating to the criminal/civil interface in relation to domestic abuse.

12.3 We will engage with key stakeholders to inform and shape future legislative proposals in relation to the reform of legal aid, including representatives of the legal profession, third sector, victim support organisations and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Overview

In December 2024, the Scottish Government began joint work with Police Scotland under our Strategic Approach to challenging demand for prostitution, supported by a government secondment to enhance links with broader national initiatives. This collaboration contributed to the development of Operation Begonia, which in April 2025 was confirmed as Police Scotland’s new national approach to prostitution. The work focuses on strengthening connections between police and local support services, with the aim of creating a more comprehensive support pathway for women with experience of Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

Work is ongoing to progress the proposals set out in the Legal Aid Reform Discussion Paper published in February 2025. This includes continued engagement with stakeholders – such as private sector law firms, third sector organisations and users of legal assistance services – to inform the longer-term development of a legal aid system that is more responsive, flexible, affordable and sustainable.

Case study: Scottish Government and Police Scotland joint working on Operation Begonia

The Scottish Government’s joint work with police has focussed on strengthening connections between police and local support services, which will help pave the way for a wider pathway of support for those with experience of selling sex.

This work has also considered the future training needs of police and during this reporting period we have funded lived experience engagement to help the development of a new resource for police, which will be launched during 2026.

“Our approach focuses on safety and welfare, engaging with people and signposting them to support available from our partners, and hopefully reducing the risk of violence. This is about building trust and confidence in policing. It’s about safer communities and supported victims. And it’s about tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms.” Stevie Betram, Detective Superintendant, Police Scotland

Case study provided by Emily McLean, VAWG Justice, Scottish Government