LABOUR and the Scottish Government have united to introduce tougher penalties for human traffickers and provide enhanced support for victims.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has adopted a member's bill by Labour MSP Jenny Marra for a Scottish anti-human trafficking strategy, with special treatment of related crime in the criminal justice system and support for survivors.
Mr MacAskill has written to Ms Marra indicating that the Scottish Government will give full effect to a final proposal before the end of the parliamentary session.
Ms Marra said: "I am delighted that the Scottish Government has accepted my proposals to combat human trafficking here in Scotland. The unique thing about these proposals is that they drill down into our public services to make our communities an unwelcome place for trafficking.
"I look forward to meeting with Kenny MacAskill to get a full understanding of the government's intentions. These proposals must be enacted in full."
The Scottish Government intends to consolidate and strengthen existing criminal law against human trafficking, enhance the status of and support for victims and give statutory responsibility to agencies to work with the Scottish Government to implement a Scottish anti-trafficking strategy.
Mr MacAskill said: "We are determined to develop legislation that gives our police, prosecutors and other agencies the powers to make Scotland a hostile environment for human traffickers, but also helps to identify and support victims."
Robert McCrea, chief executive officer of Migrant Help, said that it welcomed that best practice and experience would be formalised.
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