It has now been 12 months since the UK has had an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, a UK-wide role with a remit to “encourage good practice in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of modern slavery offences and the identification of victims.” In that time numerous laws and bills affecting survivors of human trafficking have been… Continue reading Anti-Slavery Commissioner
When we first met Jess, she was homeless and destitute. Feeling fearful, isolated and traumatised, Jess was struggling to live independently and wanted to leave the accommodation she was placed in. Jess came to Scotland when a member of her family offered her a job. On arriving, she was expected to work 24 hours a… Continue reading Jess’ Story
As SOHTIS, we’re proud to be joining 100 organisations across Scotland speaking out against the UK Government's cruel #RefugeeBanBill. If passed, it will remove the right of most people to claim asylum in the UK, no matter how great their need for refugee protection. It will slam the door on survivors of trafficking and people… Continue reading #RefugeeBanBill
When we first met Azadeh, she described life asbeing too hard and not worth living. She was completelyisolated, struggling to manage day to day activities and finding itvery difficult to live on her financial income. Azadeh described being kidnapped, having no control over what happenednext she was driven by car through various countries, eventuallyarriving in… Continue reading Azadeh’s Story
We work in partnership with a number of different organisations across Scotland. They are all wonderful and do amazing work in Scotland, and so we want to celebrate them and the difference those partnerships are making. We've been partnering with Bethany Christian Trust for a number of years now. Bethany work with vulnerable people in… Continue reading Bethany Christian Trust Welcome Centre
At Christmas we said a fond farewell to Elyse our wonderful fundraiser. Elyse has been a crucial part of our team from the earliest days of SOHTIS. She has given visionary and given her all, helping us to build the organisation and enabling us to bring victims to safety and support survivors to rebuild their… Continue reading Fond Farewells & New Beginnings
The health consequences for those subjected to trafficking can be profound and enduring given its association with physical and psychological harm. Health workers are in a unique position to respond to victims of trafficking and can play a crucial part in improving the immediate and long-term health impact on all those affected1. A review of… Continue reading
Working with an anti-human trafficking charity in Scotland may seem unlikely choice for a medical elective and yet how insightful and productive it has been for both this University of Dundee student and for SOHTIS. Here Stephanie tells it in her own words ... AND there is more to follow as she summarises her research… Continue reading The Meeting of a Medical Student & NGO
Only recently did I discover Burns took a job in the Caribbean. Even Scotland’s poetic hero benefitted from slavery. Does this mean I want any of his statues to be torn down? No. You see I’m Welsh and for much of my life I blamed the English upper class for slavery, because they owned the… Continue reading Coming Clean
Anti-trafficking organisations unite to condemn Ukraine invasion and traffickers’ attempts to target fleeing victims. Leading non-profit groups in the fight against human trafficking say that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is feeding instability and dramatically raising the risk of human trafficking in the region. More than 50 of the world’s most influential anti-trafficking organizations and leaders… Continue reading Trafficking Risk for Ukrainian Refugees
