Watch out for modern day slavery
You may have seen in the national news this week that nine members of a crime family were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court for a total of 79 years for running a modern-day slave labour camp.
They exploited vulnerable men, many of who had alcohol, drug or mental health issues.
Victims were kept in a squalid caravan with no toilets or running water, with no workplace legal protections. While this is an extreme example of this type of crime, we cannot assume this type of activity could not be taking place much closer to home. Throughout every community in Scotland there are adults who, for a variety of reasons including age, illness, injury, learning disability or mental health, may be at risk of abuse, exploitation or neglect due to the actions, or lack of actions, of another person. Unfortunately, there is no typical abuser, they can be family members, friends, associates, paid carers, an individual who deliberately takes advantage through to organised crime groups, and it can take place anywhere - a residential establishment, their own door step, or online. This is why it is vitally important that everyone is able to recognise signs of possible abusive situations involving adults at risk of harm.
Local communities can play a vital part in preventing and detecting abuse and neglect. While the words “abuse” and “neglect” are often used collectively, I would stress that sexual abuse includes all sexual acts which the adult hasn’t consented to or is pressured into consenting, which can include rape. Physical abuse is assault, financial abuse includes internet scamming or the misuse or theft of money, benefits or other property and emotional abuse includes threats of harm, harassment and verbal abuse. All of these are criminal acts.
We are committed to working with our partners in heath, local authorities and support agencies to ensure that the appropriate support or protection is provided to any adult who may be at risk of harm. We are equally committed to identifying those persons who abuse, exploit and neglect and we will robustly investigate every report of criminality, no matter when it happened, where it happened or who it involves.
It has been said that a country can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable – this new story reminds us all that if we see something and say something we can, together, protect those at risk of harm and identify those intent on causing harm.
The sentences given reflect how seriously the courts view this type of offending behaviour.
Protecting children is also a priority for Police Scotland and a few weeks ago I wrote about the dangers of young people getting access to alcohol and the potential consequences of adults buying alcohol on behalf of children.
On September 1, a 37-year-old male was charged with an offence under the Licensing (Scotland) Act of allegedly buying alcohol on behalf of an under-18, from a store in Burnbank, Hamilton, and has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.