Welcome to the Restore Glasgow blog. Whether you’re a long-time supporter, a member of our community, or someone who recently discovered our work through the Invisible Cities Networking Event, we’re delighted you’re here. This space is where we share updates, opportunities to get involved, stories from our work, and ways you can help raise awareness of human trafficking and exploitation. Together, we can learn more, speak up, and play our part in creating safer communities for everyone.
Invisible Cities Networking Event
If we met yesterday at the Invisible Cities Networking Event, thank you for taking the time to stop and chat. I’m so glad you’re here.
As promised at the event, I wanted to share some links and updated statistics here.
Our website contains more information about who we are, what we do, and how we work in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation. Please do take a look around and learn more about our work.
Human trafficking remains a significant issue across the UK. Recent figures show a 22% increase in potential victims referred through the National Referral Mechanism last year, reaching the highest number ever recorded. In 2024, there were 23,411 potential victims identified across the UK, including 1,125 in Scotland. The data also highlights that approximately 70% of identified victims were adults and 30% were children, with males accounting for 75% and females 25% of referrals. You can read the full statistics at this link. These figures remind us that trafficking is not a distant problem – it is happening in our communities, and everyone has a role to play in tackling it.
Why not sign up for the Restore Glasgow newsletter to hear about upcoming activities, campaigns, and events – there is a sign up box at the bottom of our website homepage. We’re currently preparing for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July, and we’ll be sharing more information soon about ways you can participate and help raise awareness – stay tuned! If you are looking for opportunities to volunteer to directly support survivors of trafficking, I would encourage you to explore the work of SOHTIS and consider how you might get involved with this fabulous organisation.
A good way to make a contribution for a better future is by engaging with government consultations – this is an important way to influence policy and improve protections for survivors. The government has called for views on their “Support Provisions for Victims of Human Trafficking in Scotland: Published Guidance“, with a deadline of 30 June 2026, which can be accessed here. I would encourage you to read the very helpful Call to Action on the SOHTIS blog. Having reviewed the proposed guidance, we also believe it could be much stronger – clearer in its recommendations, more effective in practice, and better focused on providing the protections that people affected by trafficking genuinely need.
If you would like support in responding to the consultation, our general summary is as follows:
We welcome the development of this guidance and the Scottish Government’s commitment to improving support for adult victims of trafficking and exploitation. We believe the guidance would be strengthened by providing greater clarity, transparency and consistency regarding how support decisions are made, ensuring survivors understand their rights, entitlements and available pathways. Above all, we encourage a survivor-centred approach that promotes safety, participation, accountability and access to support, helping victims and survivors to engage confidently with services and achieve sustainable recovery.
Please do get in touch if you would like any additional information – and please do submit a response!
Thank you again for your interest and support. Together, we can raise awareness, strengthen protections, and help create communities where exploitation has no place.
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