Scotland's Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy 2025

Foreword

Human trafficking and exploitation is abhorrent and shocking. It takes a huge toll on those involved and means support is vital – as is prevention, so it doesn’t happen in the first place. It takes effort and cross-working to constantly focus on the Scottish Government’s ambition for a Scotland free of trafficking and exploitation.

Since publication of our first Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy in 2017 we have made significant progress across victim support and in disrupting this evil trade. However, trafficking is an ever-evolving crime. Criminal networks adapt quickly, and world events can create new and emerging risks and vulnerabilities. Those who wish to exploit will use any opportunity they can to target people in unstable and vulnerable situations. It is why this revised Strategy builds upon our work on prevention and ensures we remain agile and proactive.

We are taking a public health approach to human trafficking and exploitation, aligning with the original Strategy in recognising trafficking is a complex social problem facilitated by multiple drivers. The Strategy is underpinned by a number of key principles, including human rights and trauma-informed practice and continues to build on our collaborative approach. Survivors’ voices are central to ensuring our response is rooted in lived experience.

The Strategy reinforces our commitment to identifying and supporting victims and prosecuting perpetrators. Importantly, it aims to disrupt the conditions that foster trafficking and exploitation and will look to address systemic factors that place individuals at risk. There can be no tolerance for the actions of those seeking to benefit from the exploitation of others.

This requires a holistic response, bringing together Government, frontline support services, survivors, law enforcement, businesses, and communities. This revised Strategy sets out a clear foundation for action, rooted in strong partnerships and a shared determination to ensure that Scotland is a place of safety and recovery for victims whilst strengthening the role of data, evidence and research in shaping our interventions.

I want to express my gratitude to all those working tirelessly to combat trafficking and exploitation in Scotland. Your dedication and determination has helped shape this Strategy and will be essential in delivering its vision: to prevent human trafficking and exploitation in Scotland and to respond effectively when it does occur.