Trafficking and exploitation strategy: review

Annex C - Stakeholder engagement session – key findings

The event included an assessment of the key performance indicators and objectives set within the Strategy, with an evaluation as to whether an objective has been achieved, partially achieved/ ongoing, require significant work or no longer relevant and can be discarded. This assessment will inform the refresh of the Strategy.

The high-level conclusion was that a number of the objectives set out in the 2017 Strategy remain relevant and still to be achieved, with varying levels of progress assessed as having taken place against each. For other objectives, the geopolitical climate or the changing nature of trafficking and exploitation means that they can be removed/significantly amended, with other objectives achieved.

Additionally, stakeholders identified new emerging aims and objectives that should be captured within the overarching Strategy document.

The significant quantity of information collated will be taken forward for the refresh of the Strategy.

Key reflections

• Public awareness programmes and efforts need to be sustained, including on highlighting domestic trafficking.
• Trauma-informed training – potentially at a national level and standardised – is required for first responders, procurement officials, public sector bodies and agencies, and should cover from indicators through to how to work with people affected by trauma.
• A survivor’s/victim’s journey should be more clearly mapped out, covering who they engage and when.
• Calls for a more conspicuous overarching body or commissioner to oversee the work in Scotland.
• Reviewed membership of the Action Areas and the associated Terms of Reference, as well as reviewing how the Action Area meetings operate.
• Improved/enhanced learning between Action Areas.
• Issues with silo working and a lack of communication between Action Areas.
• Improved data collection, sharing and analysis would improve implementation and monitor success.
• Desire to see Duty to Notify progressed.
• Scottish Government should outline what it is doing to attempt to mitigate the impact of the Nationality and Borders (UK) Act.
• Potential for Child Trafficking to be branded as a fourth action area, or rebranded as an Action Area and the current fourth Action Area (conditions that foster trafficking) sitting in place over the others.
• Lots of the underlying factors driving trafficking and exploitation are not considered in the Scottish Government’s – or even Scotland’s – control, and should be noted but not considered actions.
• The NRM is considered flawed and Scotland should explore a bespoke end- to-end system.