More than 300 children have been trafficked into Scotland from Vietnam in recent years, according to a Daily Record investigation. The figures reveal that some of these young people are forced into the sex trade, while others are involved in cannabis cultivations. Some are simply put to work in other activities, such as nail bars.
Scale of the trade
Human trafficking is among the most evil enterprises carried out by the criminal underworld. Along with drugs, prostitution and fraud, it is one of the biggest money-spinners for organised crime gangs across the globe. The misery of those moved around the world to carry out forced labour, prostitution or drug cultivation means nothing to the traffickers, who have no qualms about involving children in the lucrative trade in human beings.
In Scotland, many may believe such things could not go on under our noses. Systems are in place to ensure children are looked after and protected, and police and border controls exist to stop modern-day child slavery. However, the Daily Record's findings reveal an uncomfortable truth about the scale of the problem.
Ongoing police efforts
The terror felt by these children as they are brought across continents and forced into unpaid labour – or worse – is hard to fathom. That is why ongoing work by Police Scotland to tackle human trafficking is necessary and must be continued with renewed vigour. The courts must deal with those caught trafficking kids in the harshest possible way.
No child in modern Scotland should be a victim of this horrific trade.
