Human trafficking in Scotland: What you need to know

A: TARA provides support to women, over 18 years, where there are concerns they are trafficked or exploited. We are a 24/7 response service.

The support we provide includes:

• Acting as a First Responder for the National Referral Mechanism
• Short-term crisis accommodations
• Short-term financial assistance
• Risk and needs assessment
• Referral for early legal advice
• Referral for psychological assessment and treatment if required
• Healthcare and support to report to Police Scotland or to continue to cooperate with Police investigations

This support is person-centred, trauma informed and takes a three-staged model approach. Our role primarily focusses on stages one and two: creating safety followed by a period of stabilisation. Although our office is based in Glasgow, we provide a service to women throughout Scotland.

A: Yes, TARA provides training and information to other organisations and community groups when capacity allows. We have a duty worker available during office hours to provide information and advice.

A: We receive referrals from frontline professionals and community groups. Potential survivors of trafficking for sexual exploitation can self-refer to our service. Referrals can be made by telephone 0141 276 7724 or by email commsafetyTARA@glasgow.gov.uk

The referral process involves initial consultation followed by assessment of risk and needs. Women are provided with information about our service and the supports available. TARA operates a trauma-informed service informed by a recovery-based support plan for a period of 12-18 months, depending on identified needs. We also offer a signposting service to women not eligible for our support.

A: Migrant Help provides support to male victims of trafficking and women trafficked for purposes other than sexual exploitation in Scotland. The Salvation Army is contracted by the UK government to provide a similar service in England and Northern Ireland. They also subcontract services to a range of support providers. Social Work services and the Scottish Guardianship Project provides support to children under 18 years.

A: The impact of TARA and Amma’s alliance has been extremely positive. Our staff and service users have found the service provided by Amma to be invaluable for our clients as it greatly improves their resilience and personally supports them during such a difficult and isolating time.

Having a birth companion has given service users the confidence to plan their birth with the knowledge that a professional friend is on hand to support them through the process. The alliance has also helped develop skills within our team who are now better equipped with knowledge about childbirth support available through Amma.

A: Identification and detection of victims of trafficking remains a complicated issue and although awareness of trafficking is improving there is always the need for vigilance. If there remains a demand for prostituted women unfortunately (mostly) women will be trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation to meet this demand.

Wider structural changes are required to assist women out of poverty and the circumstances that make them vulnerable to exploitation.

Language barriers remain a major issue with a lack of English classes available for the volume requiring this support. As does the limitations placed on women who have care of children.

All of this would help the recovery of the women we support.