Human Trafficking

Note: This report is submitted on behalf of Australian Red Cross only

There has been consistent and significant progress and momentum to date, facilitated by a strong working relationship between ARC and DSS and Attorney General’s Department in this area. As a service provider on the Support for Trafficked People Program as well as a member of the National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery (civil society and Government agencies include the Attorney General’s Department, DSS, DIBP and DFAT), ARC have drawn on their expertise, experience and data to improve support for people engaged in the program, develop services and response, and inform policy in the following areas:

Resources to review and enhance supports:

• To share learnings on Support Program gaps, particularly for forced marriage clients, ARC met with government partners (DSS) in January 2017. The meeting resulted in some key outcomes to improve operations and supports and commitments to continue addressing gaps in the Support Program, such as the absence of a national Children’s Protocol.
• ARC and Australian Federal Police have worked together to deliver a range of training on human trafficking and slavery indicators. In May 2017, Attorney General’s Department has launched a new nationwide series of workshops (including ARC as a panellist) on forced marriage to be run nationwide – in recognition of ARC and sector advocacy for more sustained awareness building and to share learnings on the current response. We have also presented jointly (also with DSS) to international delegations from Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and presented at a DFAT-led forum on forced marriage in Indonesia.
• Given jointly identified gaps, ARC has undertaken a trafficking scoping study in the NT, and planning a similar study in Tasmania in June, followed by studies in 3 other regional areas later in 2017. Findings from study are valuable evidence for informing the Labour Exploitation Working Group (LEWG), and will be shared with relevant government partners to improve trainings, awareness raising and addressing key gaps.
• Government has acted upon reports and advocacy by ARC highlighting the need for a review of the current Support for Trafficked People Program (Support Program) and for additional resources to address the new forced marriage client cohort. The Department of Social Services has committed to conducting a review to commence in June 2017 and to providing additional funding for the Support Program.

Policy change:

• ARC completed two government submissions with clear recommendations to improve the response to both human trafficking and forced marriage in Australia to better meet humanitarian needs. These were: the NSW Government’s Legislative Select Committee on Human Trafficking – Inquiry into Human Trafficking and Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s – Inquiry into the Modern Slavery Act 2015
• As a member of LEWG, Australian Red Cross’ evidence highlighting gaps in the current national response to human trafficking has been included in a draft report that will be submitted to the Minister for Justice with recommendations for measures and policy changes to enhance the government’s response to human trafficking and slavery. The recommendations are being jointly developed by civil society members of the LEWG, including ARC, and are expected to be discussed at the next National Roundtable.
• ARC is working with the Australian Government’s Operational Working Group on Human Trafficking and Slavery to finalise a policy paper and recommendations on forced marriage with new evidence from increasing cases in 2015-2016, to be presented to the Roundtable later this year.