Festival of Politics: Human Trafficking in Scotland
By: Sophie Gleisner
Date: 27 August 2026
Speakers:
Katie Hagmann (MSP) – Host
Andy Sirel (JustRight Scotland)
Bronagh Andrew (TARA)
Joy Gillespie (SOHTIS)
Summary:
Introduction:
Human trafficking is best understood as an exploitation of vulnerability.
It currently exists within all 32 local authorities in Scotland, and impacts both Scottish and non-Scottish (such as immigrants) citizens alike.
The following industries in Scotland contain prevalent links to human trafficking and modern slavery networks:
Nail Shops. Scotland has a high number of Vietnamese nationals that have been trafficked - climate change is frequently the cause of this. Licensing of Nail Shops needs to be changed to try and combat this
County Lines Trafficking (Drugs). Many child criminal gangs are often recruited from Care Homes.
Marijuana Farms – criminal aspect makes it hard for workers to seek help from authorities.
Fishing – the Seafarers’ Transit Visa makes workers highly susceptible to being trafficked.
Labour Exploitation.
Sexual Exploitation.
Legal Barriers:
There is currently a huge gap in funding available to Legal Aid services in Scotland.
On 30 June 2026, Westminster passed the UK Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026, which merged Human Trafficking with Immigration and Asylum. However, they are not the same issues and thus should not be treated the same.
This draconian system currently punishes victims of trafficking, who are required to provide a chronological timeline of their abuse. However, because many victims have complex PTSD, they are often unable to chronologically recount facts, which leads to them being punished and support withdrawn.
Victims are also punished for not reporting the trafficking immediately, even though it can take years for them to fully realise their situation.
How to support:
If you suspect that you have witnessed human trafficking and modern slavery, ring the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.
Alternatively, you can report it on the mobile app ‘Unseen’.
Change required:
Support has to be person-led and not system-led.
Human trafficking must be understood as a marketplace, and one that needs disrupting by targeting and stopping the buyers.
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