Former President, Barack Obama, has said on the subject:

It ought to concern every person, because it’s a debasement of our common humanity.

It ought to concern every community, because it tears at the social fabric.

It ought to concern every business, because it distorts markets.

It ought to concern every nation, because it endangers public health and fuels violence and organised crime.

I’m talking about the injustice, the outrage, of human trafficking, which must be called by its true name—modern slavery.” 

It is a global affront to human rights and its eradication remains an ongoing challenge.

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is recognised as an international crime, defined under international law to encompass the forced use of persons for exploitation.

According to Article 3 of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, human trafficking is:

the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”

Sexual exploitation is the most documented form of abuse, followed closely by forced labour, forced marriage, organ removal, warfare and domestic service.

Global Slavery Index reports that 161 countries are responding to the issue of modern slavery. Of those 161 countries, 124 countries criminalised human trafficking in line with the UN Trafficking Protocol, however, convictions are reportedly low. In 2011, of 7206 prosecutions for trafficking, only 4239 resulted in convictions, while 41,210 victims were identified.

Who does modern slavery impact?

Anyone can be a victim of modern slavery.

Statistics show that there are 27-36 million victims in modern slavery at any given time.

68% are victims of forced labour exploitation, in economic activities such as agriculture, construction, domestic work or manufacturing. 22% are victims of sexual slavery. Of this statistic, 21% or are children.
The remaining 10% of individuals are in state-imposed forms of forced labour.

The majority of victims are female, making up 55% of all trafficked victims globally, with trafficking of children on the rise (approximately 20%, although this statistic increases in some regions).

How does modern slavery occur?

There are a number of factors that make persons vulnerable to human trafficking and modern slavery. Often things like the absence of protection and respect for basic rights, physical safety and security and access to basic necessities such as food, water and health care. Other factors such as displacement and conflict play a role.

Victims are often recruited through false advertising for what appears to be genuine employment, such as in cleaning, waitressing or farming.

Where is human trafficking most prevalent?

Human trafficking occurs all over the world and has been documented in 167 countries.

The crime is often carried out by traffickers who are of the same nationality as the victim, which accounts for why statistics show the trade is usually limited to a national or regional context.

By proportion to population, the countries with the highest estimated prevalence of victims of modern slavery are:

• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• China
• India
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Qatar
• Uzbekistan

Human trafficking also occurs in popular travel destinations throughout Europe – including England – and North America.

Unsurprisingly, countries with the lowest estimated incidence of modern slavery by the proportion of their population are:

• Luxembourg
• Ireland
• Norway
• Denmark
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Sweden
• Belgium
• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand

Many factors contribute to the low incidence of human trafficking in these countries, including greater economic wealth, higher government response, low levels of conflict, political stability as well as a commitment to protecting basic human rights and fighting modern slavery.

The unexpected difference you can make while travelling

As global citizens, we not only have a responsibility to ourselves but also to other humans.

We all have the power, however small, to make choices that contribute to the promotion and protection of basic rights and that make a positive and lasting change and that can transform lives.

If you know where to look, there are countless ways that you can be a more informed, responsible and ethical traveller. Making small, seemingly insignificant, choices (like choosing one travel company over another) can make a difference at a grassroots level in the fight against human trafficking. Here are a few of our favourites ways you can help:

1. Research your accommodation and tour operators

Tour operators or hotels often have policies on human trafficking, which are included on their website.

The Code (of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism) is an industry-driven initiative designed to prevent sex trafficking of children worldwide through education, awareness, tools and support.

Commercial sexual exploitation of children under 18 years (which includes child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, the prostitution of children, and child pornography) involves children being bought and sold for sexual purposes. It’s a crime that often occurs in hotels, which is why responsible tourism companies are encouraged to voluntarily become members and implement the Code’s principles to help fight exploitation of children.

You can search the full list of companies who have already joined the Code and choose to stay at and support hotels, hostels or other travel industry service providers who are committed to keeping children safe.

If your tour operator does not openly communicate its position on child sexual exploitation, why not suggest that they take a stand and demonstrate their corporate social responsibility by becoming a member of the Code?

2. Take photos of your hotel room

Traffickcam is an app that allows users to upload photos of their hotel room while travelling.

No matter where you travel, this is a simple, easy and positive step you can take to actively make a difference in the fight against human trafficking. The app works by helping authorities identify the locations in which sex trafficking crimes occur as victims are often positioned and photographed on the beds of hotel rooms.

All you have to do is upload 4 pictures of your hotel room, enter your hotel and room number and hit ‘submit.’ The app works because sex traffickers post online ‘advertisements’ of victims posing on beds in hotel rooms. By taking images of your room, and contributing to a database of over 1.5 million images of hotels snapped from around the world, you can help investigators to match the inside of hotel rooms with images taken of victims of sex trafficking. This helps law enforcement locate sex trafficking rings, save victims and prosecute offenders.

3. Identify a victim

Sometimes victims of slavery are held away from the public, however, in many situations victims are hidden in plain sight. They may work frontline in restaurants, on farms, at hotels, at construction sites, and in beauty salons. There is a good chance that you have already come face-to-face with a victim of modern slavery without realising it.

Being informed, being observant, staying aware of your surrounding as well as some of the common indicators of modern slavery may mean that you can help to identify a victim of trafficking.

General signs may include situations where a person is:

• Living with their employer in poor conditions
• Paid very little
• Submissive or fearful of their employer (or their interactions with others are tightly controlled)
• Speaking in a way that seems scripted or rehearsed
• Without any travel documents or their employer holds their travel documents (for example at the airport or in other transport hubs)
• Dressed inappropriately
• Appears to be under-aged, or
• Showing signs of abuse.

There may also be over-the-top security or guards on site.

If several of the above warning signs are present, and if you are able to speak with the person you suspect is a victim of trafficking without putting yourself, or the suspected victim in any danger, the US Department of State recommends discreetly asking the following questions:

• Can you leave your job if you want to?
• Can you come and go as you please?
• Have you been hurt or threatened if you tried to leave?
• Has your family been threatened?
• Do you live with your employer?
• Where do you sleep and eat?
• Are you in debt to your employer?
• Do you have your passport/identification? Who has it?

The most important thing is to avoid endangering anybody, including yourself, by doing something reckless like confronting the suspected trafficker or raising your suspicions aloud at the time.

Instead, follow your instincts and report your concerns to local law enforcement (if reliable) or to a global or local NGO which is known to combat trafficking in the area. If the victim is foreign, you can also contact their embassy (contact details below).

4. Be a conscious and safe traveller

On your next overseas trip, you can volunteer your time or donate to local charities that are working towards the eradication of modern slavery.

While it is important, wherever possible, to play a part in helping to fight the proliferation of human trafficking by being conscious of your surroundings and reporting suspicious behaviour, it is equally important to be mindful of your personal safety while travelling.

The reality is that anyone can become prey to a human trafficker, so avoid taking unnecessary risks, placing yourself in dangerous situations, travelling to particular regions alone.

If you can, try to travel in groups and make sure that you leave a copy of your current itinerary (as well as your local phone number) with family and friends. Check the travel advisories associated with your destination countries before travelling and register with Smart Traveller.

A difference to be made closer to home?

On a day-to-day basis, we might consider the impact of human trafficking in Australia.

Have you ever stopped to think about who produces the clothes you wear and where the food you eat comes from?

Further Information

To report a suspected case of human trafficking or offer authorities a tip while overseas, contact:

• European National Human Trafficking Hotlines
• Abolishion Hotlines Listed Alphabetically by Country
• National Human Trafficking Hotline
• US Domestic Trafficking Hotlines

To report a suspected local case of human trafficking in Australia contact:

• Australian Federal Police (AFP) by filling out an online form; or
• Call 131 AFP (131237); or
• Email AOCC-Client-Liaison@afp.gov.au

To access free legal services if you, or someone you know, has experienced trafficking or slavery in Australia contact:

• Anti-Slavery Australia

Further Reading

• For comprehensive reports on human trafficking by region and country visit the Global Slavery Index.
• For a look at the Australian context visit Freedom Partnership
• To watch an awareness-raising video from Crimestoppers UK visit Read the Signs
• For an extensive journalistic investigation into human trafficking visit Lydia Cacho’s Slavery Inc
• For a documentary on sex trafficking and abuse recommended by United States State Department. visit Price of Sex.
• For a comprehensive look at preventing and addressing forced marriage in Australia visit My Blue Sky
• To download the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) global report on trafficking in persons click here.

How many slaves work for you?? Find out by taking the slavery footprint survey.

You tell yourself: the whole world has ended. I am barely holding it together.

No: the world has not ended.

Yes: you can take control and get your life back on track.

Whatever the circumstances, ending a relationship is an uncomfortable and stressful rollercoaster and may feel like your world is over. A complete overthrow of life as you know it – who you are, where you live, who you socialise with and, for longer term relationships, your finances and family life.

Be kind to yourself. It is important to realise that you have access to plenty of support. There are a number of positive and easy steps you can take that will help you navigate the emotional and legal maze caused by the end of a relationship.

Talk To Someone You Trust

Emotional and psychological support is extremely important at a time like this.

Although you might not feel up to speaking about it, it is essential that you try to express your feelings, your thoughts, your worries and your stresses, rather than bottling it up.

Family and friends can be great sources of comfort and reassurance. A friend or sibling who has also been through a break up is an especially good source of support as they may be better placed to understand your feelings and have tips or strategies to share with you.

Recognise A Relationship Breakdown

One of the first major steps in healing and moving on is accepting the fact that your relationship has ended.

There are two consenting people in any relationship. Every person has a right to decide whether a relationship should change or end. It is a decision you can make, or it may be a decision made by your partner.

Once this decision is made (easier said then done) follow through with clear communication and positive action. If you have decided to break up, then it is important that you behave that way. The sooner everyone is on the same page and it is clear where you are going, the easier it will become to start moving on.

Come to terms with, and respect, your new reality.

Give Yourself Time To Grieve

A part of your life is over. This is big. Recognise this change. You are likely to feel many emotions, and go through various stages of grief, including shock, anger and sadness.

Work out a strategy that allows you to feel whatever it is you need to feel. Let out your emotions with complete freedom.

Cry, write, laugh, paint, exercise, sit on the beach. Eat!

What makes you feel better? Start to build a solid base of coping mechanisms and positive thinking that you can use into the future.

When you are going through a traumatic time in your life, the best thing you can do is focus fully on yourself. It’s okay to be selfish and focus on what is right for you.

Sources of healthy life tips and coping mechanisms are available at AUReachout and Counselling Connection.

Speak To A Counsellor

You may find it awkward, or even impossible, to speak with friends and family about your situation. It could be because of complex family dynamics, or maybe they do not really understand what you are going through.

Counselling is an excellent, and often overlooked, option which can provide you with support when you feel at your most vulnerable. The healthy strategies you take away from counselling sessions may even help you start moving on from a relationship breakdown faster than you would alone.

Know Your Legal Rights And Responsibilities

Okay. Now we are feeling strong and brave, let’s face the law.

It’s not so bad.

Getting access to the right legal information and advice early is equally as important as obtaining emotional and psychological support.

If you and your partner have been living together as a couple, there are a number of practical decisions to be made, even if you would prefer to avoid them.

Before making any decisions, an awareness of what you are legally entitled to, as well as what you are responsible for, is important. This is especially so where your finances are complicated or you have children together.

Where Do You Stand Legally?

1. De facto relationships

If you were in a relationship as a couple living together in a genuine domestic basis, your relationship is likely to be considered a ‘de facto’ relationship. How do you work this out?

Your personal circumstances are relevant, including how long you were in a relationship, how long you were living together, whether you were in a sexual relationship, how dependent financially you were on one another, how you owned your property and how you socialised in public, as well as your commitment to each other. Your gender is not a relevant consideration.

The importance of recognising your relationship as de facto lies in the flow on rights and responsibilities, discussed below.

2. Separation at law

Whether you were married or in a de facto relationship, your separation commences at the point in time when one of you decides to stop living with the other. You may move out or you may remain under the same roof but live separate lives. At this stage, there is no formal legal process you need to take to separate.

3. Division of property

If you were in a de facto relationship and cannot agree on how to divide your property and assets, in some circumstances, you may apply to have the Family Court decide this for you.

When the court is making a decision, it will look at the individual circumstances of each couple.

To start, the court will look at what property exists between you, including assets and debt. Then the court looks at the contributions each person has made. This is not limited to financial contributions. Contributions made by a partner who stayed at home and cared for children or who contributed domestically are also relevant, in addition to what you owned before you got together.

The court will also consider other relevant personal factors such as your earnings into the future, your age, your health and any care required for children.

In the light of your individual circumstances, overall, what is most important is coming to a just and reasonable final division.

When you try to come to an agreement independently, the above should be a useful guide on the relevant factors that will affect how to reach a fair agreement with your former partner.

4. Maintenance

If you were in a marriage or a de facto relationship, you may have a right to receive financial maintenance payments from your former partner, or you may be responsible for making these payments.

For de facto relationships, you may have be entitled to receive maintenance payments from your former partner where you are unable to adequately support yourself. For example, due to the care of a child from the relationship, for health or any other adequate reason, and your former partner is able to afford to make maintenance payments to you.

The Family Court makes decisions about maintenance. In making a decision the court will consider a wide range of factors, including both your financial positions.

Any maintenance order will usually only be for a specific length of time. A change in your situation, such as if you get married, may end your entitlement to these payments.

5. Parenting

If you have children and your relationship breaks down, your responsibilities to your children do not change.

If you are unable to come to an agreement which provides for your child spending time with both parents, you may need to seek family dispute resolution.

If you cannot reach an agreement through alternative dispute resolution, then it may be necessary to apply to have a Court decide on parenting arrangements. This may include who your child will live with, when your child will spend time and with you or your former partner, parental responsibility and, more broadly, issues about how the child will be raised.

The most important consideration of the Court in making any such orders is the best interests of the child.

Reaching An Agreement

The ideal situation for everyone would be to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that is fair, reasonable and in line with your rights and responsibilities.

A number of legal advice providers and community services can help by offering mediation and dispute resolution.

Any agreement you make will not be legally enforceable unless it is registered as a ‘consent order’ by the Family Court. You should seek legal advice before doing so.

Domestic Or Family Violence

If you feel at risk of, or have been the victim of family or domestic violence, contact the police immediately. You may also seek support and referrals from the resources extracted below.


See The Positive Side – Things Will Get Better!

With time, and when you are ready, think about what you have learned from your experience, about yourself and about life in general.

This is a chance for you to positively change and grow as a person.

Further Information

For access to counselling and support services contact:

• Relationships Australia – 1300 364 277
• Family Relationships Online – for information about family relationship issues and services
• Family Relationship Advice Line (national) – 1800 050 321
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 for free counselling and support
• Beyondblue – 1300 22 4636 for free counselling and support
• QLife – 1800 184 527 for counselling and referrals
• MensLine Australia — 1300 789 978 for support and advice for men

Domestic Violence Support

• 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) (National) for sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling
• Domestic Violence Advocacy Service – 1800 810 784 (NSW)
• DoCS Domestic Violence Line (NSW) – 1800 656 463

Legal Advice 

Community legal centres across Australia and Legal Aid organisations may provide you with free initial legal advice.

Legal Aid organisations differ in each state and territory, the details of which can be found at www.nationallegalaid.org.

Factsheets and information brochures are available on most of their websites:

• Legal Aid New South Wales factsheets 
• Law Society of NSW
• Legal Aid Queensland booklet

For a list of community legal centres across Australia, visit the National Association of Community Legal Centres.

The Family Court of Australia also provides useful information on how to reach an agreement without going to court.