Human Trafficking in Scotland The Impact on Survivors Bronagh Andrew

Transcription

1 Human Trafficking in Scotland The Impact on Survivors Bronagh Andrew

2 Scottish Context Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scot) Bill Human Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy Modern Slavery Act 2015 (transparency in supply chains) Anti Trafficking Progress Group Sub group 1 - Promote a trafficking free approach across businesses and the public sector

3 Human Trafficking Types of Exploitation Commercial Sexual Exploitation prostitution, pornography, lap dancing and stripping Labour - factory, agricultural, food industry, care work, hospitality industries, CDs/Flower sales, construction Domestic Servitude housework, cooking, childcare Criminal Exploitation cannabis cultivation, shoplifting, petty crime, fraud (benefits/identify thefts), forced and sham marriages It should be noted that people may be trafficked for multiple forms of exploitation e.g. cannabis cultivation and CSE

4 Scottish Prevalence UKHTC National Referral Mechanism 2014 UK 2,340 potential VoTs referred in to the NRM in 2014 (34% increase on 2013) Only 1 out of 4 victims come to the attention of authorities Potential VoT sfrom 96 countries Most common type of exploitation sexual The Chief Scientific Officer for the UK Government Estimates 10-13,000 individuals held in slavery like conditions

5 Scottish Prevalence UKHTC National Referral Mechanism 2014 Scotland Country of Origin and % change Referrals Adult Referrals female, male, all types of exploitation 1. Nigeria 0% 2. Poland +267% 3. China -29% 4. Vietnam -42% 5. Romania +40% 6. Albania 0% 7. Sudan N/A 8. Eritrea N/A 9. India N/A 10. Kenya +50% 11. Slovakia -33% 111 referrals of potential VoT in Scotland (12% increase on 2013) 62 females (56%) and 49 males (44%) 86 (77%) adult exploitation (all types) 25 (23%) exploitation as a minor (all types)

6 Scottish Prevalence UKHTC National Referral Mechanism 2014 Scottish Exploitation Types

7 General Indicators No or limited freedom of movement No or false documents, illegal entry to UK (agent), concerns regarding immigration status Distrustful of authorities, fearful, anxious Poor living/working conditions No or poor wages, money deducted for food or rent Debt bonded Vulnerable in home country No knowledge of addresses, boss s details No or limited family or social contact Physical injuries/signs of psychological trauma (PTSD) No access no medical care/unknown to services Threats to individual/family members Placed in a dependency situation

8 Vulnerabilities (CSE) Survivors of other forms of male violence Child trafficking Lack of educational/employment opportunities Bereavement and/or family separation Civil instability and/or conflict Personal or family debt Internally displaced Previous involvement in systems of prostitution (Patriarchal) Cultural Differences Poverty

9 Act and Means (CSE) Deception Debt Bonding Assault Rape Threats Tortured Ritual Oaths Blackmail

10 Impact (CSE) Mental Health Re-experiencing traumatic events: recurrent thoughts/memories, recurrent nightmares, emotional/physical reaction when reminded Psychological arousal: feeling jumpy/easily startled, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, feeling irritable/outbursts of anger Avoiding and numbing: unable to imagine the future, feeling detached/withdrawn, unable to feel emotion, inability to remember parts of traumatic event Physical and Sexual Health Fatigue, weight loss, gastrointestinal symptoms Neurological symptoms headaches, memory difficulty, dizzy spells Cardiovascular symptoms chest/heart pain, palpitations, short of breath Musculoskeletal symptoms back pain, dental problems Sexual Health - STD, HIV, concerned about fertility, termination of pregnancy

11 The TARA Service Community Safety Glasgow, through TARA, provides support to women over 18 yrs, identified in Scotland, where there are concerns they have been trafficked into and/or around the UK and commercially sexually exploited. Support can include safe accommodation, a mobile phone, clothing, basic toiletries, advocacy and access to existing mainstream services such as counseling, legal advice and healthcare. A specialist NHS GGC Psychology service is co located with the TARA team 3 days per week. We also provide a 24/7 response. TARA also act as a First Responder for the National Referral Mechanism and encourage women to speak to the Police about their experience

12 Case Study Sacha is a 20 yr old Lithuanian woman. She was arrested for shop lifting clothes by Police Scotland. During the interview Sacha disclosed being compelled to shoplift by her cousin in lieu of living expenses. Sacha told the police that she arrived in London 3 months ago and thought that she would be working as an au pair. Her cousin made these arrangements. On arrival she was told that the job had fallen through. After 2 weeks her cousin told her that she needed to pay for her food and lodgings. Sacha could not tell the police her cousin s surname or his address but did have a mobile phone with his number. Sacha told the police that this was the first time she had been shoplifting. When asked about the previous 2 months and why/how she came to Scotland she became very distressed, frightened and very concerned about confidentiality. She was also very anxious about her immigration status and that she had no papers and indicated that she was scared of reprisals targeted at her family.

13 Case Study Police Scotland were very concerned that she was a potential victim of trafficking and made contact with TARA. TARA arranged to meet Sacha at the police station to offer her reassurance, assistance and to try to encourage co-operation. Initially Sacha was reluctant to talk to TARA but after subtle questioning (about her false nails) became distressed and disclosed that she had been raped and forced to prostitute. She was unable to flee her situation as her cousin threatened to tell her family that she was a whore. TARA: Reassured Safe place to stay Liaison with Police and support to provide full statement Medical Assistance ( Sexual and Psychological) Safety Planning Safe Return On her return Sacha contacted TARA to advise she was safe and in the care of the NGO.

14 Reading the Signs Copies available from