Stirling academic’s expertise helps form major new human trafficking guidelines

New guidance aiming to tackle and prevent human trafficking has been published by the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe), supported by the expertise of a University of Stirling social work lecturer.

Dr Paul Rigby, who is a renowned expert on child trafficking and currently sits on the advisory group for the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, provided substantial guidance to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on its National Referral Mechanism (NRM) handbook.

Working in collaboration with human rights lawyer Kirsty Thomson, the pair drew upon their experience in Scotland – which is recognised as a model of good practice for responses to child trafficking – to act as consultants and develop a child trafficking assessment framework, which is included in the publication.

A NRM is a co-operative, national framework through which governments fulfil their obligations to protect and promote the human rights of victims of trafficking, and co-ordinate their efforts in a strategic partnership with civil society organisations, survivor leaders and the private sector.

The new handbook will be used by professionals in around 60 countries.