EQUISS joins national It's a Penalty campaign

EQUISS has joined the It's a Penalty Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign, supporting a national effort to raise awareness of human trafficking and exploitation.

The It's a Penalty campaign brings togetherorganisations across sport, law enforcement, safeguarding and the voluntarysector with the aims of:

·       Educating people on the signs and impact of exploitation and human trafficking

·       Raising awareness about how to report concerns

·       Helping victim-survivors to find support

The campaign will run across Scotland in the lead up toand throughout the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, taking place from 23 Julyto 2 August 2026.

For EQUISS, this partnership reflects our commitment to making sport safer and we are proud to work alongside organisations that share this goal. For the equestrian community, safeguarding shouldn’t stop at the stable gate. By working with partners across sport, law enforcement, safeguarding and the voluntary sector, we can share knowledge, build awareness and help protect more equestrians from harm and abuse.

Why this campaign matters

Human trafficking is a global crime that can affect any community. It happens when people are recruited, moved, or controlled through force, coercion, deception or the abuse of vulnerability for the purpose of exploitation. This can include forced labour, sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation and domestic servitude. Thousands of potential victim-survivors are identified across the UK each year, but many more remain unseen. Raising awareness helps people recognise the signs, report concerns and ensure those at risk can access support.

Major sporting events do not cause human trafficking. However, when large numbers of visitors flood a city, it can heighten existing vulnerabilities and put increased pressure on support services. That is why awareness, prevention and strong safeguarding are so important before, during, and after events like the Commonwealth Games. The same principles apply across every sport, including equestrianism, where creating safe, informed environments helps protect everyone involved.

Working together to protect people

Safeguarding means noticing when something is wrong, taking concerns seriously and knowing that speaking up matters. Whether abuse happens in sport, at work, or in the wider community; change only happens when people work together and refuse to look away.

As an independent organisation, EQUISS is committed to working alongside others who share that vision. Through partnerships with organisations like It's a Penalty, we are helping to strengthen safeguarding across sport, raise awareness of abuse and exploitation and support a collective commitment to protecting children and adults at risk.

Sarah Stoute, CEO and Founder of EQUISS:

"We are proud to support the It's a Penalty campaign and stand alongside organisations from across sport, law enforcement, safeguarding and the voluntary sector that are united in preventing exploitation and protecting vulnerable children and adults. Collaboration is essential if we are to create lasting change, and this partnership reflects our belief that safeguarding should be embedded throughout every level of sport and society."

Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing key messages across our channels to help raise awareness of human trafficking and encourage more people to recognise the signs of exploitation.

If you have experienced abuse, exploitation or misconduct, or you're worried about someone else, support is available. Head to itsapenalty.org for more information.

Sources: It’s A Penalty Glasgow 2026 Learn More – It's a Penalty

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