Our Scottish Anti-Trafficking & Exploitation Centre provides legal advice and representation to child and adult survivors of trafficking and exploitation, as well as serving as a hub for outreach, policy, training and research. We use our team’s expertise to contribute to the fight against trafficking and exploitation at both the national and international level.
Legal Advice
We provide free legal information, advice and representation to individuals affected by trafficking in Scotland regardless of age, gender or nationality. We provide legal services which are gender and child sensitive, human rights based and trauma informed.
We do so in a range of civil law matters related to an individual’s experience and recovery including, but not limited to, identification, immigration, family reunion and compensation.
Policy, Research and Training
We are members of the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG), a coalition established in 2009 to monitor the UK’s implementation of European anti-trafficking legislation. The group uses a human rights-based approach to examine all types of human trafficking, including internal trafficking and the trafficking of British nationals, to protect the well-being and best interests of victims of human trafficking.
Read the ATMG’s 2019 report:”Real People, Real Lives”
We are also a member of a current expert international advisory group with the OSCE on human trafficking.
ASSIST: Gender Specific Legal Assistance and Integration Support for Third Country National Female Victims of Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation
The centre has been part of an innovative anti-trafficking project to assist trafficked migrant women funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (EC AMIF: 821581).
The project focused on the integration of trafficked women recovering from sexual exploitation, taking into account the gender dimension of trafficking in Europe and the gender specific harms and trauma associated with trafficking for sexual exploitation.
The aim of the project was to provide trafficked migrant women with legal advice, information and support in accessing material assistance (social and financial). Such assistance is particularly important in cases involving sexual exploitation. It is acknowledged in such cases victims often experience a significant trauma and lack the life skills, training or experience required to quickly integrate into the job market and thus provide for them or any dependants.
Resources
The project has produced a report on best practice principles of working with women affected by human trafficking for sexual exploitation. The full report and summary report can be downloaded here:
- Assisting Trafficked Women: Best practice principles of gender-specific legal assistance and integration supports to third country national female victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation (PDF)
- Summary of best practice principles (PDF)
Through the project, women with lived experience of trafficking and JustRight Scotland have also co-produced a know-your-rights leaflet for trafficked migrant women on their rights and support in Scotland, which you can access below.
Outreach: JustRight@TARA
We have established a collaboration with our partners at the Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA) to provide a free Legal Information and Advice Hub to women who have experienced trafficking for sexual exploitation within TARA service premises.
JustRight@TARA provides legal information and advice in the following areas:-
Identification
- Identification of human trafficking/National Referral Mechanism (where there is no other lawyer providing this advice)
- Engagement with criminal justice process
- Immigration advice (where there is no other lawyer providing this advice)
- Compensation
- Access to safe housing, support and other entitlements
- Advice regarding other legal processes that may be relevant such as child protection, family law, family reunion etc.
At the moment, this service is only available internally to TARA service users. It is hoped the Hub will raise awareness and knowledge of the rights of trafficked women in Scotland who can face multiple barriers to accessing justice and be expanded to other individuals who have experienced trafficking and parts of Scotland going forward.
The service is currently supported by JRS and TARA with funds provided by the Scottish Government.
Legal Factsheets
Know Your Rights for Survivors of Trafficking! Asylum & Immigration (PDF)
This factsheet explains what it means to claim asylum, and other immigration advice if you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country, as well as how to access legal advice, and other support in Scotland.
This factsheet is part of a series of Know Your Rights! factsheets that provide information for people (adults) from abroad who have experienced human trafficking and/or exploitation, on your rights and support in Scotland.
Know Your Rights for Survivors of Trafficking! Compensation and Legal Advice (PDF)
This factsheet explains your rights to access compensation, as well as how to access legal advice, and other support in Scotland.
This factsheet is part of a series of Know Your Rights! factsheets that provide information for people (adults) from abroad who have experienced human trafficking and/or exploitation, on your rights and support in Scotland.
Know Your Rights for Survivors of Trafficking! Education & Employment (PDF)
This factsheet explains your rights to access education and employment, as well as how to access legal advice, and other support in Scotland.
This factsheet is part of a series of Know Your Rights! factsheets that provide information for people (adults) from abroad who have experienced human trafficking and/or exploitation, on your rights and support in Scotland.
Know Your Rights for Survivors of Trafficking! Gender Based Violence (PDF)
This factsheet explains what gender based violence means, as well as how to access legal advice, and other support in Scotland.
This factsheet is part of a series of Know Your Rights! factsheets that provide information for people (adults) from abroad who have experienced human trafficking and/or exploitation, on your rights and support in Scotland.
Know Your Rights for Survivors of Trafficking! Health (PDF)
This factsheet explains your rights to access healthcare, as well as how to access legal advice, and other support in Scotland.
This factsheet is part of a series of Know Your Rights! factsheets that provide information for people (adults) from abroad who have experienced human trafficking and/or exploitation, on your rights and support in Scotland.
Know Your Rights for Survivors of Trafficking! Housing, Welfare Benefits & Money (PDF)
This factsheet explains your rights to access housing, welfare benefits and financial support, as well as how to access legal advice, and other support in Scotland.
This factsheet is part of a series of Know Your Rights! factsheets that provide information for people (adults) from abroad who have experienced human trafficking and/or exploitation, on your rights and support in Scotland.
Know Your Rights for Survivors of Trafficking! Identification as a Victim of Trafficking (PDF)
This factsheet explains what it means to be identified as a victim of trafficking and how you can tell if you are a victim of human trafficking or exploitation, as well as how to access legal advice, and other support in Scotland.
This factsheet is part of a series of Know Your Rights! factsheets that provide information for people (adults) from abroad who have experienced human trafficking and/or exploitation, on your rights and support in Scotland.
Know Your Rights! Information for agricultural workers on the Seasonal Worker Visa in Scotland (PDF)
This factsheet covers the rights of agricultural workers on the Seasonal Worker Visa in Scotland. It covers your rights in employment, to access healthcare, housing and social benefits, and what to do if you think your rights are not being protected. It was written by Focus on Labour Exploitation and Fife Migrants Forum, with JustRight Scotland, for SASA at the Scottish Government.
Know Your Rights! Information for EEA seasonal agricultural workers in Scotland with Settled or Pre-Settled Status (PDF)
This factsheet covers the rights of EEA seasonal agricultural workers in Scotland from EEA countries who hold Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status. It covers your rights in employment, to access healthcare, housing and social benefits, and what to do if you think your rights are not being protected. It was written by Focus on Labour Exploitation and Fife Migrants Forum, with JustRight Scotland, for SASA at the Scottish Government.
Know Your Rights! Information for Trafficked Women from Abroad in Scotland (PDF)
This Know Your Rights! booklet provides information for Trafficked Women from Abroad on your rights and support in Scotland. Being a victim of trafficking or exploitation can have a long-term impact on you and affect many parts of your life. You may also find it difficult to adjust to living in a new country or place. But you are not alone. There is help for you to start recovering from your experiences and help you settle into your new life. This booklet gives information on some of the help available to you and who to contact
Resources
Press Releases & Briefings
Policy Consultation Responses
The Children (Scotland) Act 2020: Registers of child welfare reporters, curators ad litem and solicitors (PDF)
New Plan for Immigration 2021 – JustRight Scotland Response (PDF)
New Plan for Immigration 2021 – JustCitizens Response (PDF)
Judicial Review Reform and the Devolved Jurisdictions (PDF)
Briefing for Third Sector Organisations in Scotland Responding to the UK Govt’s New Plan for Immigration Consultation (PDF)
The Impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 in Scotland: A perspective from legal practice (PDF)
Short guide for Scottish civil society organisations on responding to the Independent Human Rights Act Review (PDF)
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights in Scotland (JRS) (PDF)
Equally Safe: Challenging Men’s Demand for Prostitution (PDF)
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Review 2020 (PDF)
The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill 2020 (PDF)
Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (Section 11 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015) (PDF)
Legal Aid Reform in Scotland (PDF)
Duty to Notify (Section 38 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015) (PDF)
Incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (PDF)
Licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues in Glasgow (PDF)
Research Reports
Blog & News Articles
“We are at the beginning of something…” Supporting survivors of trafficking during the Covid-19 pandemic
Spotlight on: Anushya Kulupana, Scottish Anti-Trafficking & Exploitation Centre (SATEC) and Supporting Survivors of Trafficking during the Covid-19 Pandemic Today we are speaking with Anushya...
ASSIST in Scotland: Hearing Trafficking Survivors’ Voices
Today, JustRight Scotland led a delegation of female survivors of human trafficking to meet with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf MSP at the Scottish Parliament. The women – all of whom...
Introducing our new social enterprise: JRS Knowhow
We are proud to announce the launch of our brand new social enterprise JRS Knowhow. The start-up social enterprise was created in April 2021, marking almost exactly four years since JustRight Scotland was set...
Legal Opinion: What does the Nationality and Borders Bill mean for devolution in Scotland?
Sabrina Galella, Policy & Public Affairs Officer at JustRight Scotland. JustRight Scotland and Scottish Refugee Council jointly commissioned a legal opinion from Christine O’Neill QC and her...
National Human Trafficking Conference
We were delighted to be asked to present at the first National Human Trafficking Conference, organised by Police Scotland at Tulliallan Castle on 13 September 2017. Setting the Scene Kevin Hyland, the...
New Plan for Immigration Consultation: A Briefing for Scottish Civil Society Organisations
On 24 March 2021, the UK Government published its New Plan for Immigration, which sets out various proposals for changes to nationality, immigration and asylum law. The consultation invites members of...
New Plan for Immigration Consultation: Our Response
On 24 March 2021, the UK Government published its New Plan for Immigration, which sets out various proposals for changes to nationality, immigration and asylum law. JustRight Scotland and our JustCitizens...
Our Anti-Trafficking Work
Trafficked women face too many barriers to accessing their human rights. Despite international and European standards that ensure trafficking survivors’ right to legal guidance when accessing support ...
Response to Independent Review on the Human Rights Act
We have submitted a response to the Independent Review of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), in response to its call for evidence which closed on 3 March 2021. Our submission makes it clear that we see ...
Scottish human rights organisations unite to reject “unnecessary, regressive and divisive” plans to replace Human Rights Act
Responding to the UK Government’s announcement today that it plans to replace the Human Rights Act, five leading Scottish human rights organisations have released a joint statement calling the proposals...
Survivor Engagement: Assisting Integration in Human Trafficking
PRESS RELEASE Survivor Engagement: Assisting Integration in Human Trafficking 15th December 2020 Today, JustRight Scotland (JRS) held an online event to share the results of a 2-year EU AMIF funded...
Trafficking Awareness Campaign
By Eilidh Turnbull - JustRight Intern On 27th August 2017 the Scottish Government launched a public information campaign to help raise awareness of human trafficking in Scotland. At JustRight Scotland,...