Scottish Government Debate: Human Trafficking and Exploitation, Making Scotland a Hostile Place for Traffickers and Providing Effective Support for Victims

Michael Matheson S5M-06031 That the Parliament recognises that the abhorrent crimes of human trafficking and exploitation are an abuse of human rights and dignity, which can cause lasting physical and psychological damage to victims, both adults and children; recognises the cross-party support that exists to make Scotland a hostile place for those who traffic and exploit other human beings; welcomes the publication of Scotland’s first Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy on 30 May 2017; further welcomes the vision set out in the strategy to eliminate human trafficking and exploitation by identifying victims and supporting them to safety and recovery, identifying perpetrators and disrupting their activity, and addressing the issues that foster trafficking and exploitation; welcomes the contribution made by external stakeholders to the development of the strategy, including those who have directly experienced trafficking, and recognises the contribution that will continue to be made by stakeholders in its implementation. Claire Baker As an amendment to motion S5M-06031 in the name of Michael Matheson (Human Trafficking and Exploitation, Making Scotland a Hostile Place for Traffickers and Providing Effective Support for Victims), insert at end “; notes the role to be played by local authorities in tackling human trafficking, and believes that they, along with Police Scotland, must be properly resourced and funded to tackle trafficking and exploitation in communities.”