Inquiry into human trafficking

On 28th November 2011 the Equality and Human Rights Commission launched the findings from its Inquiry into human trafficking in Scotland. Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, was Investigating Commissioner for the Inquiry.

The Commission undertook to inquire into the nature and extent of human trafficking in Scotland, described by Baroness Kennedy as ‘a human rights abuse of terrible consequences’.

The Inquiry focused on trafficking for the purposes of forced labour, domestic servitude and criminal exploitation, but more explicitly on commercial sexual exploitation, which Baroness Kennedy called ‘the most prevalent and pernicious manifestation of human enslavement’.

The findings led to a series of ten recommendations aimed at those with responsibilities to prevent and tackle human trafficking in Scotland. The recommendations are designed to improve responses to human trafficking, put victims needs at the centre of the issue and make Scotland a more hostile environment for traffickers.

Click here for more information and to download the report.