In Scotland, police and courts will have new powers against perpetrators of human trafficking and exploitation. Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Orders (TEPOs) can now be used by the courts to impose restrictions on people who have been convicted of trafficking and exploitation offences.
TEPOs can introduce a range of restrictions like stopping someone employing staff, working with children/vulnerable people or travelling to certain countries for a minimum of five years. Breaching a TEPO will be a criminal offence.
The SNP Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: โWe will continue to make Scotland an increasingly hostile place for those who treat other human beings as commodities. These new powers for the police and courts will help to further protect the public from harm.
โWe have already strengthened the law, creating a specific offence of human trafficking for the first time. Now we are making sure that action can be taken when a person poses a continuing risk.
โWe are working hard to eradicate trafficking and exploitation in Scotland and providing high quality support for victims who have suffered physical and psychological harm.โ
TEPOs can be made by the court the point of sentencing, or Police Scotland can also apply to the court. An order can cover recruiting; working with children or vulnerable people, or as a gangmaster; or holding a licence to act as a sponsor for visa applications. And Trafficking and Exploitation Risk Orders (TEROs) can only be made by the court after an application by police. A conviction is not required, but a risk that the person may commit a trafficking or exploitation offence and the order is needed to protect others from psychological and physical harm. TEROs have a fixed period of at least two years and come into force on October 31.
