Crimestoppers
Fearless - our youth service
Commercial sexual exploitation in Scotland
Help stop the harm of sexual violence and exploitation
Our charity believes everyone has the right to feel safe.
People involved in selling and exchanging sex often experience daily threats, abuse and violence.
And sexual violence and exploitation bring a significant threat of risk of harm to our communities.
Click or tap here if you are a victim, and/or want to know what support services are available
What is commercial sexual exploitation?
This can include, but is not limited to:
- Prostitution
- Lap dancing
- Stripping
- Pornography
- Human trafficking and sex for rent.
No one should ever be forced into sexual activity without consent.
Telling us what you know
It can be difficult to come forward with information - we know and understand this.
You might have seen or heard something about a crime but don't know what to do or are scared to tell someone.
It's easy to think there is nothing you can do - but we offer you a safe way to do this. No police. No witness statements. No courts.
Crimestoppers is not an emergency service and if you see a crime taking place you should ring 999 to report it immediately.
if it's not an emergency, we will take your information 100% anonymously - guaranteed. We won’t judge, just listen to what you know and pass it on. No-one will ever know you contacted us, and you could help protect yourself and those you care about.
Youi can call us free, any time of the day or night, any day of the year, on 0800 555 111. Or fill in our quick and easy online form, here on our website:
Adults that sell and exchange sex
If you are selling or exchanging sex, our charity wants to help keep you safe.
You are more likely to see or hear something about a crime against a member of your community.
And you may, for whatever reason, be unwilling to report threats, abuse, and violence.
Our charity receives hundreds of anonymous calls and contact forms every day. We have never broken our promise of anonymity.
We will take your information 100% anonymously. We won’t judge, just listen to what you know and pass it on. No-one will ever know you contacted us, and you could help protect yourself and those you care about.
You may feel helpless if you know or suspect when you know someone is the victim of a violent crime. But you can be their voice and speak up anonymously to our charity
If you know or suspect someone is threatening and violent towards women, you can speak up 100% anonymously to our charity.
Call us on 0800 555 111 or visit our secure online form, here on our website:
Brothels – spot the signs in your area
Brothels are often located in serviced apartments, privately rented flats and in hotel rooms or houses. They may 'pop-up' for a short time.
Look for:
- Multiple women living at the address, brought to, or taken from, by an individual.
- Frequent visitors, usually males, attending the address at all times of day and night.
- Multiple vehicles parked at the address.
- Different women entering and leaving, often on the same day of the week.
- Windows blacked out and/or CCTV at the address.
- Has there been a previous booking at the property?
- Do the residents know who has rented the property?
- Is the person that is renting the property speaking on behalf of other women?
Who is your guest? Information for the hotel and leisure industry
Our charity wants to make those in the Scottish hospitality industry aware that criminals are using hotels, caravan parks, and other rental accommodation as a base to carry out serious crimes.
Often, staff in the hospitality sector may have concerns about what they are see or hear but are not sure what to do next.
Our charity is encouraging staff to learn how to spot the signs, be brave and raise their concerns with the owner, their manager or local law enforcement.
If they wish to remain 100% anonymous, they can contact Crimestoppers; the information they have could save a life, safeguard a vulnerable young person, stop a violent attack or disrupt a drugs or human trafficking gang.
What type of crimes may be taking place?
- County lines – criminals use hotels, guest houses, caravan parks or rental properties as a base to distribute drugs or recruit local vulnerable young people to act as couriers and set up a county lines operation.
- Internet grooming – adults bringing young girls or boys who they have groomed online to your property to abuse them.
- Modern slavery, human trafficking and the sex trade – criminals bringing young women or men to your premises. Many of them are from overseas and have been forced into prostitution. Generally, it is men who have booked them for their services over the internet.
A list of signs to look out for can be found on our campaign page
If you are a victim...
Because of our unique guarantee of anonymity, at Crimestoppers we can’t take, respond to or pass on information from victims of crime.
If you, or someone you know, requires immediate support :
- In immediate danger, call the police on 999. For non-emergency police help, call 101.
- If you require urgent medical assistance, call 999 in an emergency or in non-emergency, dial NHS 24 on 111.
If you are NOT a victim, you can use our anonymous service to tell us WHO is involved. The more detail we have on the person/s committing the crime and what they do, the more you can help make any investigation better.
If you, or someone you know, are selling or exchanging sexual services and need help or support, there are many services available to you. You can access these services without fear of stigma, judgement, or discrimination:
- Samaritans – 116 123 (24 hrs a day, 365 days a year)
Support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. - SARCS – Sexual Assault Response Coordination
SARCS is a dedicated NHS service which can offer healthcare and support in the days after a rape or sexual assault. Support and advice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 148 88 88. - Further information on prostitution and the laws in Scotland can be found at: Women involved in prostitution – violence against women and girls (VAWG)
- Call the UK modern slavery & exploitation helpline on 08000 121 700
- Get support at:
National Ugly Mugs (NUM) is a UK-wide charity working with sex workers to do research, design and deliver safety tools and to provide support services to people in adult industries.
As a NUM member you can:
- Report an incident
- Get alerts
- Check details of potential clients.
You can take action:
- Check NUM to know if your client presents a risk, and
- report all violent and abusive clients to NUM, Crimestoppers or the police.
Make sure you get a good note of:
- Physical attributes: build, height, age, hair colour, eye colour, facial hair
- Distinguishing features: scars, piercings, tattoos
- Any physical disabilities
- Any accent and language spoken aside from English
- Vehicle details: registration number, make, model, colour, any scrapes/dents on vehicle
- Any details about where they live or any other information about themselves they have told you.
