Modern slavery helpline reveals almost 300 potential victims

Calls to a modern slavery helpline revealed 297 potential victims in 18 months, according to a new report.

There were 172 calls and 34 online reports to the Modern Slavery Helpline.

They related to situations in Scotland between its launch in October 2016 and the end of March 2018, the report from charity Unseen found.

These indicated 82 cases involving 297 potential victims (PVs) of trafficking and exploitation in Scotland, as one case may involve several PVs.

Labour exploitation was the most common type of exploitation reported, comprising 60.9% of cases.

Almost a fifth (17%) of cases related to sexual exploitation, which was the second most prevalent form of exploitation.

Car washes (15 cases) and nail bars (11 cases) were the most common locations of modern slavery reported to the helpline.

One in 10 (11%) of potential victims were children (34 individuals), with street exploitation the most common sector where they were exploited.

Andrew Wallis, chief executive of Unseen, which runs the helpline, said: “With cases in 19 out of 33 Scottish counties, this report underlines the fact that slavery is all around us.

“It’s at the car wash, the nail bar, the takeaway and the hotel, as well as the farms that grow our food.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Last year saw a 38% increase in trafficking referrals with the largest increase in labour exploitation.

“This suggests that we are getting better at identifying and reporting victims of trafficking, and ensuring they receive the help and support they need.”