Human trafficking is where a person is moved from one place to another so that they can be exploited, by using deception, coercion, the abuse of power or the abuse of someone’s vulnerability.

It is possible to have been a victim of trafficking even if you have given permission to being moved.

Identifying if a child has been trafficked isn’t easy. Trafficked children are often hidden, they may be scared or they may not even realise they have been a victim of trafficking.

Warning signs

The child:

• Doesn’t appear to have money but does have a mobile phone
• Receives unexplained/unidentified phone calls
• Has money and goods but they can’t give a good explanation for how they got them
• Acts in a more grown up way than you’d expect for their age
• Has a history with a lot of missing links and unexplained moves
• Has to earn a minimum amount of money every day
• Works in a range of different locations
• Has limited freedom of movement
• Goes missing for periods
• Begs for money
• Has to do excessive housework chores and rarely leaves the home
• Is malnourished
• Is being cared for by adult/s who are not their parents and the relationship between the child and their adult carers isn’t good
• Lives with other unrelated children at the same address
• Has not been enrolled in school
• Has to pay off a huge debt, for example for their travel costs, before having control over their own earnings
• Is terrified of being deported.

If you are worried about a child or young person you can contact Social Work on 0300 300 1199 or Police Scotland on 101. Call Police Scotland on 999 if you think they are in immediate danger.

You can also contact the NSPCC’s Child Trafficking Advice Centre (CTAC) for specialist advice and information on 0808 800 5000.