Book Week Scotland 2020 is almost here! A wonderful week of indulgent celebrating for all of us avid readers. As I use it as another excuse to stick my nose in a book and research my wish list of all my next reads. I have been reflecting on some grim but essential reading I have done over the last few months. Lockdown has been tough for many of us but it has made me reflect even more than normal on the awfulness of those trapped in modern slavery across Scotland. Restrictions, isolation, fear, loneliness, being observed and hopelessness some of their daily reality. This year we have had a few snapshots of the awfulness of trafficking with the death of many Vietnamese people in the truck in Essex and more recently the uncovering of textile workers in Leicester being paid £3/hour. These just being a few examples that managed to hit the headlines and are too quickly forgotten.
When we get down to it, human trafficking and modern slavery is the buying and selling of men, women and children with some people making big bucks on the back of that! It’s a multi-billion pound business. Almost incredible for some of us to believe that it is happening in Scotland? The truth is that it’s in every city, town and neighbourhood. It’s happening near you, maybe on your doorstep.
Throughout Book Week Scotland I have some real treats to introduce you to on the SOHTIS social media platforms, some reads that will open your eyes to human trafficking in the UK, provide you with accurate information and also give you a glimpse into the life of trafficked people here.
Be sure to watch out for the posts and add these to your ‘must reads’ over the next few months. You will not be disappointed and you will from then on #seethingsdifferently!
Joy, Development Manager, SOHTIS
Call to Action
There are ways that we can all be involved in being part of the solution to modern slavery and human trafficking in Scotland. Some as simple as raising awareness by following SOHTIS on social media and sharing our posts or volunteering skills, linking us with useful networking contacts and fundraising or donating funds.
Please get in touch to find out how you can join us in bringing freedom.
Email: enquiries@sohtis.org
If you have suspicions, or concerns about anyone in your neighbourhood or your contact the MODERN SLAVERY HELPLINE on 08000 121 700, if there is immediate danger contact POLICE SCOTLAND on 999
