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| Holyrood summit to tackle human trafficking | Holyrood summit to tackle human trafficking |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A UK-wide summit aimed at tackling human trafficking is due to be held at the Scottish Parliament. | |
| The meeting will be chaired by the Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC, who is Scotland's top prosecutor. | The meeting will be chaired by the Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC, who is Scotland's top prosecutor. |
| It will also be attended by the heads of the prosecution services in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. | It will also be attended by the heads of the prosecution services in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. |
| They will set out their commitment to work together across boundaries to disrupt the trade. | They will set out their commitment to work together across boundaries to disrupt the trade. |
| A report published by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in September found that the number of potential victims of human trafficking in the UK increased by 22% between 2012 and 2013, with 55 cases identified in Scotland. | A report published by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in September found that the number of potential victims of human trafficking in the UK increased by 22% between 2012 and 2013, with 55 cases identified in Scotland. |
| Across the UK, it is estimated that 2,744 people, including 602 children, were potential victims of trafficking last year. | Across the UK, it is estimated that 2,744 people, including 602 children, were potential victims of trafficking last year. |
| Almost a third of the victims in Scotland suffered sexual exploitation, while others experienced labour exploitation and criminal exploitation. | Almost a third of the victims in Scotland suffered sexual exploitation, while others experienced labour exploitation and criminal exploitation. |
| The NCA said victims came from countries including Poland, Slovakia, Thailand, Vietnam, Ghana and Nigeria. Romania was the most common country of origin, with nine cases in Scotland. | The NCA said victims came from countries including Poland, Slovakia, Thailand, Vietnam, Ghana and Nigeria. Romania was the most common country of origin, with nine cases in Scotland. |
| Speaking ahead of Friday's summit, Mr Mulholland described human trafficking as "the slavery of our times". | Speaking ahead of Friday's summit, Mr Mulholland described human trafficking as "the slavery of our times". |
| 'Serious violation' | |
| He added: "It is a serious violation of human rights and causes lasting harm to its victims. | He added: "It is a serious violation of human rights and causes lasting harm to its victims. |
| "Every year thousands of men, women and children are trafficked across the globe, including within the United Kingdom. | "Every year thousands of men, women and children are trafficked across the globe, including within the United Kingdom. |
| "It is a serious and complex crime which happens in the shadows of our society and it is very difficult for investigators and prosecutors to penetrate that veil." | "It is a serious and complex crime which happens in the shadows of our society and it is very difficult for investigators and prosecutors to penetrate that veil." |
| Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Mulholland said: "One of the difficulties is that often victims don't recognise that they are indeed victims and there is a bond which is built up between them and the trafficker - an emotional bond, an economic bond. | |
| "That is part of today's conference - to try to understand that." | |
| One victim's story | |
| "I believed I was going to be safe and have a good life here but when I came this was not the case. I was treated very, very badly. | |
| "I was locked in a room and made to have sex with many men. They would come every day and make me do things I did not want to do. | |
| "They never cared if I cried. They just carried on. | |
| "The traffickers prostituted me for three months before I managed to run away and I still feel the pain now. | |
| "It is in my heart and in my head." | |
| In Scotland, trafficking for the purposes of prostitution carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. | In Scotland, trafficking for the purposes of prostitution carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. |
| Trafficking for labour and other forms of exploitation, holding someone in slavery or servitude, or requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour are also offences with a maximum penalty of 14 years. | Trafficking for labour and other forms of exploitation, holding someone in slavery or servitude, or requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour are also offences with a maximum penalty of 14 years. |
| The UK is bound by the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, which involves signing up to a set of minimum standards on the identification, protection and support of trafficking victims | The UK is bound by the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, which involves signing up to a set of minimum standards on the identification, protection and support of trafficking victims |
| In March Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced that the Scottish government planned to create a dedicated Human Trafficking Bill for Scotland, which was intended to make Scotland a "hostile environment for human traffickers". | |
| The legislation will build on the work done by Labour MSP Jenny Marra, who had proposed her own bill. | The legislation will build on the work done by Labour MSP Jenny Marra, who had proposed her own bill. |