Politicians have called for new legislation to tackle the growing problem of human trafficking following the revelations in The Herald yesterday.
Politicians have called for new legislation to tackle the growing problem of human trafficking following the revelations in The Herald yesterday.
An investigation by the paper found there have been no prosecutions north of the border despite a disproportionately high number of victims found in Scotland during the last UK-wide operation to crackdown on the problem.
It also unearthed a confidential Scottish Government report revealing there are up to 700 victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation in the country at any time, and recommending the establishment of a specialist unit to focus enforcement efforts.
Labour has written to the Scottish Government calling for a change in the law and the creation of a specialist national unit to tackle the problem.
Richard Baker, Labour justice spokesman, said: "There are times that action needs to be taken urgently and this is one of them. The police have managed to free some women in Scotland after raids but there has not been even one prosecution. The law needs to change and those individuals who support this vile trade by paying for sex with trafficked women need to be prosecuted.
"This appears to be a growing problem and there is no time for hesitation. The UK government is taking action through the Policing and Crime Bill. Scotland should follow suit immediately. I would like to see a specialist unit set up as part of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) to focus on this issue."
Clause 13 of the legislation going through in England and Wales introduces an offence of paying for the services of a person who is "controlled for gain", and is a key element of Westminster's strategy to tackle the demand for exploitative services.
Graeme Pearson, former director of the SCDEA, said human trafficking was a "national challenge". He said: "It has been one of those Cinderella issues that people are aware of but find it difficult to concentrate sufficient resources on."
Bill Aitken, Tory justice spokesman, said: "This is a despicable exploitation of women. There are exceptional problems in prosecuting this but I would expect the police and Serious Organised Crime Agency to be working together to combat this here and abroad. If there is anything we can do to tackle this then we should do it."
The Scottish Parliament debated the issue of people trafficking this week with the Minister for Community Safety highlighting the work the government is doing and offering to listen to all ideas.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We have announced plans to provide Scottish police with specific powers, through the forthcoming Criminal Justice & Licensing Bill, to close premises associated with brothel-keeping, human trafficking or child sexual exploitation.
"Further, our Sexual Offences Bill, currently before Parliament, would create a statutory offence of sexual coercion, enabling police and prosecutors to target traffickers or pimps who knowingly force or coerce someone else to engage in sexual activity."
