HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND MODERN DAY SLAVERY: AN AFFRONT TO HUMAN DIGNITY

Abstract

While most victims are trafficked into Australia from Asia for the purpose of sexual exploitation, there is growing awareness of persons being trafficked here for the purpose of labour exploitation. A major impediment to prosecuting trafficking-related offences is the reluctance of victims to give evidence of the offence, particularly as they (or their families) may have been the subject of violence or threats of violence either in Australia or their country of origin. New legislation passed into law in Australia in 2013 seeks to address the low rate of successful prosecutions. This paper considers the legislative and policy response of Australia, internationally and domestically, to these heinous crimes. It also considers where improvements could be made.