John Stevenson

By Kate Ramsden

Congress strongly condemned the trafficking of women and children for sexual and other exploitation and pledged action to tackle this scourge and ensure that victims are supported, traffickers are prosecuted and those buying sex are penalised.

Speaking in support of the General Council motion and UNISON’s amendment, John Stevenson told congress of UNISON’s campaign, along with other organisations, to ensure that the rights and protection due all children in Scotland under the Children Scotland Act was made a reality.

"That glowing beacon of legislation makes the interests of all children paramount. It doesn’t differentiate between those with a passport and those without," said John.

However a few years ago, the reality was that displaced children were second class and their welfare was regularly undermined. "Since then we have come a long way in a short time, from a situation that should never have existed to one that is getting better. It is a great victory for us to hear politicians from all parties nowadays referring to the child’s welfare as paramount."

John warned, however, that there is still much to be done; that children are still set up for deportation at 17, which means that many will end up back in the harm they were fleeing or in the clutches of those who exploited them in the first place. "That goes for adults too," said John, asking why, if women feel rescued, so many of them disappear shortly afterwards.

"Are you really being rescued if your immigration status decides whether you are supported or deported?"

John told congress that a key element in really protecting trafficked women and children is the "reflection period" in the Council of Europe Convention, and he called for an extension on the current 45 day period to 90 days as called for by both UNICEF and Amnesty.

He highlighted their need for real independent advice and called for a review system which puts "the needs of women first and the welfare of children paramount", pointing out that human beings who have been trafficked will have little cause to trust authorities and should not be penalised for understandable suspicion.

"If we are really rescuing people, we need to give them time to regroup, understanding and care to recover and most of all, independent support that puts them first."

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