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SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

In International law, the three elements to Human Trafficking are:

a) recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person;

b) through means such as threat or use of force, coercion, deception, or abuse of power or vulnerability;

c) for the purpose of exploitation.

 

“Coercion” includes coercion through force, duress, detention, psychological oppression, abuse of power and taking advantage of a person’s vulnerability.

 

“Exploitation” can be forced labour or sexual exploitation.

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The following information is taken from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) website:

https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/crime-types/human-trafficking

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SLAVERY AND SLAVERY LIKE OFFENCES

Human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices such as servitude, forced labour and forced marriage are complex crimes and a major violation of human rights.  Around the world men, women and children are trafficked for a wide range of exploitative purposes, such as:

  • Servitude

  • Slavery

  • Forced labour

  • Debt Bondage

  • Forced marriage

 

Australia's slavery, slavery-like and human trafficking offences are set out in Division 270 and 271 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995.

 

If you are a victim of trafficking or know someone who is, contact the AFP on 131AFP (131237) or use the online form to report information regarding human trafficking.

 

SIGNS A PERSON MAY BE A VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING

The following points may indicate that a person is a victim of human trafficking, slavery or slavery-like practices:

  • the person appears to be servicing a large debt to their employer or a third party;

  • the person does not possess their passport or travel/identity documents, which are with their employer or a third party, and the person is unable to access these documents when they wish to do so;

  • the person does not have a labour or employment contract/agreement , or they do not understand the terms or conditions of their employment;

  • the person is unable to terminate their employment at any time;

  • the person never or rarely leave their accommodation for non-work reasons;

  • the person is living at the place of work or another place owned or controlled by their employer;

  • the person has little or no money or no access to their earnings;

  • the person has physical injuries which may have resulted for assault, harsh treatment or unsafe work practices;

  • the person is always in the presence of their employer, who does not want or allow the worker to socialise with others;

  • the person works excessively long hours and have few, if any, days off.

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Read more: Human trafficking and slavery indicators

 

REPORTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Assist the AFP in combating this global problem. Use our online form to report information regarding human trafficking for the purposes of sexual and/or labour exploitation, organ harvesting, forced marriage and slavery or call 131 AFP (131237).

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An Australian Government Department or Agency can make a report of an allegation of criminal conduct to the AFP National Operations State Service Centre (NOSSC).

In case of an emergency, call 000.

 

FURTHER RESOURCES

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