About human trafficking and slavery
Human trafficking and slavery, including forced labour and forced marriage, are serious crimes and a violation of human rights. We are committed to combatting these crimes and supporting those who have experienced trafficking and slavery.
Human trafficking and slavery exist in most countries in the world.
The most visible form of trafficking involves the sexual exploitation of women and children. However, around the world men, women, and children are trafficked for a wide range of purposes.
Humans may be trafficked for:
- sexual exploitation
- forced labour (in industries such as hospitality, construction, forestry, mining or agriculture)
- domestic labour
- sweatshop labour
- forced marriage
- illegal adoption
- street begging
- forced recruitment into militia or the armed forces
- the harvesting of body organs.
Australia’s strategy to combat these crimes is set out in the National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020–25(Opens in a new tab/window).
We support the strategy to combat modern slavery through our Support for Trafficked People Program and Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program.
There are guidelines for NGOs working with trafficked people(Opens in a new tab/window) to assist any organisations working in this area.
Resources
For more information on how Australia is combatting human trafficking and slavery, view the following resources:
- The MyAus App(Opens in a new tab/window) provides in-language information about family, domestic and sexual violence laws and services.
- National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020–25(Opens in a new tab/window)
- Guidelines for NGOs Working with trafficked people(Opens in a new tab/window)