Protecting children and vulnerable adults from harm is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government. Police Scotland is already targeting those who abuse and exploit people, and is raising awareness so that victims are identified and can get support.

The national human trafficking unit of Police Scotland works with national and international partners to take swift and robust action to ensure that perpetrators are identified, their activities are disrupted and they are prosecuted, be they individuals or organised crime groups. That co-operation occurs at an operational level and via forums such as the serious and organised crime task force and the Police Scotland-led multi-agency tasking and delivery board.

Tackling sexual exploitation of children is also a key part of the work of the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group, which recognises links to other forms of abuse, including child criminal exploitation. In addition, the child protection committees, through contextual safeguarding, promote practitioner support to tackle extra-familial harm.