SCOTS are increasingly likely to report suspected trafficking to the police, a new survey shows.
Research commissioned by the Scottish Government shows that 87% of people would report suspicious activity to the authorities, up from 80% in 2017.
The survey showed a slight increase in the proportion who thought trafficking was a big problem in Scotland, from 14% to 16%.
Those in the west of the country were significantly more likely to think human trafficking was an issue "to a great extent" – 20% compared to 13% in the east and south and 12% in the north.
However Scots were increasingly likely to think the issue was a big problem in Europe (59%) and the rest of the world (69%).
In 2017 the Scottish Government ran a marketing campaign to drive up awareness of human trafficking in Scotland.
Two-fifths (40%) of adults in Scotland claimed to have seen or heard activity on the topic recently, with the most common sources being TV programmes or news (23%), TV advertising (9%) and newspaper coverage (8%).
Among respondents there was an increased awareness of trafficking activity in farming and the beauty industry as well as prostitution or drug trafficking.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: "This survey clearly shows that, in 2018, more people are recognising trafficking, where it takes place, and what to do about it.
"The findings are also in line with the increase in trafficking reports made to Police Scotland, published earlier this year, and suggests the Scottish Government's recent awareness raising campaign has reached a wide range of people.
"However, we cannot be complacent. Such appalling abuses of human rights must stop and we are continuing to make Scotland a hostile environment for traffickers, including giving Police Scotland the power to ban suspects from a range of activities.
"We also remain focused on victims and have increased the statutory minimum period of support to ensure trafficked individuals will receive care over a longer period, which will greatly aid their rehabilitation."
The Kantar TNS research was carried out with a sample of more than 1000 Scots, once in 2017 and again in 2018.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here