<$BlogRSDUrl$>

13 October 2005

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN AUSTRALIA 

An estimated one thousand women are trafficked into Australia each year for the purposes of prostitution. This was only one of the disturbing facts presented at the recent seminar on trafficking organized by the Christian Brothers & Presentation Sisters Justice Group.

Key presenter was Valli Mendez from Project Respect an Australian non-government organisation which challenges exploitation of and violence against women in the sex industry.

Some points made by Valli included:-
The women (mainly from South-east Asia) are enticed by the prospect of earning money to support their families by working in Australia.
Most women trafficked into Australia are unaware of the nature of the work they will be asked to do.
The women are brought to Australia on valid visas (eg tourist visas) but are then assigned to work off the exorbitant 'debt' allegedly incurred by their traffickers in bringing them to Australia, by working illegally in licensed or unlicensed brothels.
Violence, intimidation and the threat of exposure to either the government or their families (who are usually unaware of the nature of the work they are engaged in) together with their isolation and ignorance of the language, laws and customs in Australia ensure compliance.

When women have outlived their usefulness to the traffickers they are frequently reported to the Department of Immigration who place them in detention until they are deported. Not surprisingly those facing deportation are unlikely to be willing to testify against traffickers who may be part of organized crime networks.

Whilst the government had moved to legislate to address the problem, present measures are clearly inadequate and further legislation is required. The next test of the adequacy of these anti-slavery laws is in the case due to come before the courts in Melbourne early in 2006.

It was also pointed out that it was men’s demand for such services that created the problem in the first place and hence there were implications for our society in how we educate in and nurture healthy human relationships.

For more information about the global nature of this problem visit the website of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime

To sign an online petition in relation to sexual slavery in Australia click here

Comments: Post a Comment

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?