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RUTH CHARTERIS | COMMENT

Victims of human trafficking must not be prosecuted

The Times

Human trafficking and exploitation are rights abuses that have profound impacts on victims. Prosecutors are keenly aware that they must be open to the possibility that exploited children are among the complainers, witnesses and accused they deal with daily.

All prosecutors in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (Copfs) are trained to identify victims and prosecute perpetrators. We are committed to protecting children and the lord advocate has published instructions that set a strong presumption against prosecution of these victims.

However, verifying that a child is a victim of trafficking is time-consuming. The process starts when the procurator fiscal receives a report from the police alleging an offence and raising a suspicion that the accused is a victim of trafficking.

Prosecutors must initiate further