Today the Australian Government acknowledges World Day against Trafficking in Persons and declares its commitment to tackle the evil of modern slavery.
Human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery have no place in our society and my department works closely with the Australian Federal Police and other agencies to disrupt these crimes and support victims and survivors.
This commitment has been recognised by the 2022 U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report maintaining Australia’s Tier 1 rating.
The Government will build on this record by strengthening the Modern Slavery Act and appointing an Anti-Slavery Commissioner to work with business, civil society, NGOs and State and Territory governments to identify and address modern slavery risks in business operations and global supply chains.
The Government will also boost resources for the Ambassador for People Smuggling and Human Trafficking to help countries in our region strengthen their responses to modern slavery – including forced labour and forced marriage.
The theme of this year’s World Day against Trafficking in Persons, ‘Use and abuse of technology’, is a timely reminder of the role that technology can play as a tool to facilitate, but also prevent, human trafficking.
To support this theme a national social media campaign is underway to raise awareness of how technology can be used to deceive and recruit victims, and where victims and survivors may seek help.
Human trafficking can happen in Australia. This campaign is encouraging the Australian community to ‘Look a little deeper. Recognise the indicators. Know what to do’.
Help is available for any person experiencing, or at risk of, human trafficking or other forms of modern slavery. The Australian Federal Police can keep you safe, provide advice and refer you to support services. Call 131 237 (131 AFP). If you have immediate concerns for your safety or the safety of someone else, call Triple 0 (000).
