Written Question · S1W-15230 · Session 1
What prosecutions there have been to date for offences relating to the sex slave industry, what sentences were given in each case, whether …
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what prosecutions there have been to date for offences relating to the sex slave industry, what sentences were given in each case, whether it plans to create any specific offences relating to this area and, if so, what minimum sentence it will recommend that such offences should carry.
The answer
Responsibility for the laws on immigration and international trafficking in persons is reserved to the UK Government.Criminal law is devolved. Those involved in sexual exploitation could, under Scots law, be committing one or more of a variety of crimes, both statutory and common law, the most serious of which can attract up to life imprisonment.For illustration, the attached table gives details of total convictions from 1995 to 1999 for certain statutory offences relating to procuration, permitting a girl to use premises for intercourse, brothel keeping and immoral traffic.Persons proceeded against for selected sexual offences in Scottish courts under the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (S) Act 1995 or the Sexual Offences (S) Act 1976, 1995-99 | Persons with a charge proved
Main Crime | Custody | Fine | Probation | Other | Total
Procuration1 | 9 |
- | 3 | 2 | 14
Householder permitting girl to use premises for intercourse2 |
- |
- |
- | 1 | 1
Brothel Keeping3 | 2 | 7 |
- |
- | 9
Immoral Traffic4 |
- | 3 |
- |
- | 3
Notes:1. Includes persons proceeded against under sections 1 and 2 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 7 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.2. Includes persons proceeded against under section 10 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 9 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.3. Includes persons proceeded against under sections 9 and 13 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 8(3) and 11(5) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.4. Includes persons proceeded against under section 12 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or sections 11(1,4) and 13(9) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.The nine custodial sentences for procuration ranged between 15 months and 10 years. The two sentences for brothel keeping were both of nine months or less.No specific further legislation is presently planned, but the position is kept under review.
Main Crime | Custody | Fine | Probation | Other | Total
Procuration1 | 9 |
- | 3 | 2 | 14
Householder permitting girl to use premises for intercourse2 |
- |
- |
- | 1 | 1
Brothel Keeping3 | 2 | 7 |
- |
- | 9
Immoral Traffic4 |
- | 3 |
- |
- | 3
Notes:1. Includes persons proceeded against under sections 1 and 2 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 7 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.2. Includes persons proceeded against under section 10 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 9 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.3. Includes persons proceeded against under sections 9 and 13 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or section 8(3) and 11(5) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.4. Includes persons proceeded against under section 12 of the Sexual offences (S) Act 1976 or sections 11(1,4) and 13(9) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Act 1995.The nine custodial sentences for procuration ranged between 15 months and 10 years. The two sentences for brothel keeping were both of nine months or less.No specific further legislation is presently planned, but the position is kept under review.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-15230 by reference.