Law Enforcement Committee Releases Report

In December 2015, the Parliament of Australia Joint Committee on Law Enforcement initiated an inquiry into human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices. Having received submission and conducted public hearings in Sydney Melbourne and Canberra the Committee has released a report on their finding. The report contains 20 recommendations. ACRATH wrote a submission for this inquiry and also took part in a public hearing in Melbourne. ACRATH was therefore delighted to see the Law Enforcement Committee recommending such things as a National Compensation scheme for victims of trafficking, slavery and slavery-like offences to be funded by proceeds of crime, the de-linking of access to the Support for Trafficked People Program from compliance with criminal investigations, Commonwealth Government facilitation and expedition of family reunification for victims of trafficking, slavery and slavery-like offences and the appointment of an Anti-Slavery and Trafficking Commissioner. The full report can be accessed here.

Anti-Human Trafficking Newsletter Vol 15 No 7

The 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) was released by the  US State Department recently. The July issue of Stop Trafficking! highlights some of the issues raised in this report. It also profiles some of the 2017 TIP heroes named when the report was released.  Download your copy of the July issue here.

ACRATH Needs your Help

ACRATH has launched a fundraising campaign following the end of Federal Government funding on June 30 2017.  While ACRATH, and several other organisations, have been invited to apply for funding as part of a competitive grants program, we have no guarantee of success.

ACRATH needs to secure funding now and so we have launched a fundraising appeal throughout July, leading up to the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30. We need your help. Our work is critical to the lives of so many people. We cannot stop now. Read more…

Click here to make a donation.

Ending Slavery

Slavery is the world’s second largest fastest growing illegal crime and it touches us every day – through food we eat, clothes we wear and products we purchase. There is a global movement to end it.

International advocate against slavery, Matt Friedman, is coming to Australia and will speak on the breadth and range of human slavery in the world today and how we can all play our part in helping to address this global problem.

When:    Fri 28 July 2017 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Where:   ACRATH – 54 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park

RSVP essential for catering purposes. Book here.

Human Trafficking is Global in Scope

Us Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, launched the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report in New York on 27th June. In addressing readers of the report Tillerson states, “Human trafficking is one of the most tragic human rights issues of our time. It splinters families, distorts global markets, undermines the rule of law, and spurs other transnational criminal activity. It threatens public safety and national security. But worst of all, the crime robs human beings of their freedom and their dignity. That’s why we must pursue an end to the scourge of human trafficking.”

This years report has a focus on the responsibility governments have in holding offenders accountable. In the light of this focus Susan Coppedge, US Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, comments, “A victim-centered and trauma-informed approach requires, first and foremost, that the criminal justice system not penalize victims of human trafficking when they are forced to commit crimes as a direct result of their exploitation. When forced criminality takes place as part of the scheme, victims should not be further punished by the very system meant to protect them; and when they are, their convictions should be expunged and they should receive support and the comprehensive services to which they are entitled.”

As in past years, the 2017 TIP Report also honours individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking.  Access the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report here.

Anti-Human Trafficking Newsletter Vol 15 No 6

The June issue of Stop Trafficking! highlights various reports that help the reader realise the complexities of human trafficking. Articles include What does human trafficking look like inn the US, Fashion makes me uncomfortable, How state courts can assist trafficked victims and How the hospitality sector can assist the exploited. Access a copy of Stop Trafficking! here.

Do You Know the Difference Between Domestic Work and Slavery?

A Women of Integrity, Vitality and Sensitivity

Susan Newland was a member of ACRATH SA since 2013. In her capacity as Director of the Archdiocesan Resource and Information Centre she actively promoted the work of ACRATH with the Archbishop and  through the Catholic Education Office, the Archdiocesan Office, and Catholic Media. A high point of her ACRATH membership was her 3 months internship with UNANIMA in New York in 2016, which enabled her to utilize knowledge and insights gained in a recently completed Masters Degree in International Law.

 Susan had a long battle with cancer and amazed us all by her courage and resilience. She died on the 28^th May. Archbishop Wilson was the celebrant at her funeral. She will be deeply missed by members of ACRATH SA. We valued her integrity, vitality, intelligence, generosity, sensitivity and sense of fun.  She was deeply committed to addressing the evil of human trafficking in our world. One of Susan’s icons and poems can be downloaded here.

Compassionate God,
We give thanks for Susan’s life, and for all she was for each of us.
We ask you to comfort her daughter Sarah, her family and friends in their loss.
Comfort also each of us in our grief, lend us strength to comfort each other,
and help us to know Susan’s presence in beauty and kindness,
and in our vulnerability and strength. Amen.

ACRATH Newsletter June 2017

The latest edition of the ACRATH Newsletter is now available. Articles in this newsletter tell of the ACRATH National Conference, the World Day of Prayer in the Parramatta Diocese, Slavery Free Chocolate, the Modern Slavery Inquiry and a Forced Marriage Workshop in Perth. Details of the ACRATH Fund Raising Appeal are also included. In addition to the regular newsletter there is also a supplement on Forced Marriage. Download your copy of the ACRATH Newsletter and the Forced Marriage Supplement now.

Domestic Worker have Rights

In 2017, 21.3 million people worldwide are refugees displaced from their homelands. One of the few employment options available to women (and girl) refugees, who account for 50 per cent of this population, is domestic work. Working behind closed doors in private homes, many have few legal protections and regularly experience exploitation and abuse. Because domestic work is not respected and frequently unprotected, they often don’t find the safety and security they need, and once again face situations vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and intimidation.

In 2011 the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (ILO Convention No. 189) was adopted. This Convention  recognized domestic workers as workers like any other. Since then, 70 countries have taken measures to adopt or reform law and policy, including 24 countries that have ratified Convention No. 189.

On International Domestic Workers Day 2017 let us be a voice for those domestic workers who are exploited. Call on governments to ratify the Domestic Workers Convention. Read more…