Carmel finds the perfect ‘fit’ with ACRATH

Carmel Shaw’s recent appointment as ACRATH’s new Community Development Coordinator is a culmination of decades of working for a fairer world and the dignity of all people. Carmel sees ACRATH as a ‘perfect fit’.

While the position with ACRATH might be new to her, Carmel has a long history in working to prevent modern slavery.

It was during her early career as a secondary school teacher that Carmel first learned about Fairtrade and ethical supply chains. She hopes some of the students she taught 20 years ago might still be looking out for products that are certified slavery-free.

In recent years her work with St Vincent’s Health Australia gave her the opportunity to learn about human trafficking and ACRATH. She was on the working party that led to the ACRATH and St Vincent’s Health Australia (SVHA) Human Trafficking Project, launched in 2017. The project looks at how trafficked people – who may present at any of SVHA’s hospitals Australia-wide – can be identified and receive necessary treatment, support, referrals, and access to services. This includes women who have been sexually exploited, people facing forced marriage and people who have experienced forced labour.

“This new job brings together a lot of past experiences such as education, volunteer management and advocacy,” said Carmel, who is based in Sydney. 

Within weeks of joining ACRATH Carmel headed the recent Canberra advocacy week, training volunteers and coordinating meetings with MPs and policy officers. 

“Canberra was a wonderful experience, and it gave me an important insight into how ACRATH is seen. Everyone was so affirming and familiar with ACRATH and values the contribution that ACRATH can make to ending modern slavery in Australia,” Carmel said. “It was a great opportunity to meet with people who already respect the organisation and what it has to say.”

“One of the big learnings for me was seeing the hard work and commitment of the politicians and their advisors. What we see in the media is often a poor reflection of what happens in Parliament where most of the people believe in building a better and more just society.”

Carmel cited the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) as one example where MPs and advisors want to hear what ACRATH has to say, particularly in relation to the PALM Scheme Approved Employers Deed and Guidelines published in June 2023.

“We know that there is good compliance, but we also know that some employers are not following the guidelines properly. It’s important that seasonal workers leave Australia better off than when they arrived and that requires involvement at many levels of the community,” she said.

Next month Carmel will also attend her second Federal Government National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery, which was established in 2008 as a mechanism for the government to consult with civil society about issues relating to human trafficking. ACRATH has been part of the Roundtable since its early days.

Another key part of her work is the Companionship Program which is undergoing some changes and developing more structures to better support the volunteer Companions.

“We are transitioning the program into a new structure, with more training and support so the Companions can continue to provide person-centred care for victims and survivors of modern slavery. We want to capture and nurture the best of the program, so it is sustainable. That means gaining insights and expertise of the many people who have been involved with the program over many years.”