Call for evidence goes out on Human Trafficking Bill

15th January 2015 | criminal law

Holyrood's Justice Committee has issued its call for evidence on the Scottish Government's Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Bill, making a particular appeal to people directly affected by trafficking and slavery.

The bill aims to clarify and strengthen criminal law by introducing a new single human trafficking offence, as well as increasing the maximum penalty for offenders from 14 years to life imprisonment. It would also place duties on Scottish ministers to ensure immediate support for adult victims and to prepare a trafficking and exploitation strategy.

Other provisions on which the committee specifically invites submissions include:

  • establishing statutory aggravations to any criminal offence where the offence is connected with human trafficking, and where the offence has been committed by a public official in the course of their duties;
  • placing a duty on the Lord Advocate to publish guidance about the prosecution of credible trafficking victims who have committed offences;
  • establishing trafficking and exploitation prevention orders and risk orders;
  • placing a duty on public bodies to provide anonymised data about potential human trafficking and exploitation victims to Police Scotland.

Committee convener Christine Grahame MSP commented: “Human trafficking and exploitation are serious, complex crimes which know no borders. It extends well beyond the sex trade and involves the provision of cheap labour for a number of purposes, all of them exploitative.

“As we know, Scotland is not immune to these crimes, but it is clear that there are real difficulties in identifying the perpetrators who need to be brought to justice and the vulnerable victims who are in need of real support and protection."

Ms Grahame said the committee wanted to ensure that the bill would achieve its aims in deterring and facilitating the prosecution of these crimes and protecting victims.  

“That is why we want to hear from as broad a range of people as possible, including support agencies, victims’ groups, local authorities, prosecutors, businesses and individuals”, she added.  

Click here to view the call for evidence. Submissions are invited until 24 February 2015.