In August, Stancea Vichie of the Good Shepherd Social Justice Network and a member of the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking, spoke to the Commission and began by pointing out the importance of raising awareness of trafficking among church people and the wider community as some people don’t believe that this is happening in Australia. There is good information on the subject on the Good Shepherd Social Justice Network website.
Stancea distributed maps showing the main countries of origin and destination countries. Trafficking also takes place internally in some countries. The reasons for trafficking were not only poverty; some people just want a better life with increased opportunities and will take up offers they see on the internet etc.
In Australia, trafficked persons are mainly women, mostly contract workers for the sex industry. When the women arrive, they find a lack of freedom and have to pay off large debts. Traffickers often threaten their families back home to prevent the women reporting their conditions to the authorities. The use of fear is a key factor in keeping the women from leaving.
Prior to 2004, if the police raided a brothel and found illegal immigrants, the women would be taken to the Maribyrnong Detention Centre and repatriated. In 2003, following the death of a Thai women, the Government held an enquiry into trafficking. In 2004 the Government set up an Action Plan to Eradicate Trafficking and introduced a visa program which gave the women a 30 day bridging visa. During this time the police find out if any of the women are willing to give evidence against their traffickers, but the women are often traumatised and afraid of the consequences for themselves and people back home. The Australian Federal Police are now employing some younger women as the women may be more likely to speak to them. The police have also stopped putting them into detention centres. After the 30 days, women are often too afraid to speak and generally leave the country.
If the women are of value to the police, they are placed on a Criminal Justice Stay Visa. Another category is the Witness Protection (temporary) Visa which may be for up to three years. The Government has put money into the Australian Federal Police overseas to check the granting of visas in the countries of origin. Stancea said that the Government has a desire for change and Minister Chris Evans is looking for change in the visa framework. The Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans is going to Canberra to meet with Government and Stancea has offered to report to the Commission on the discussions.
Commission members asked how they could help and Stancea suggested they talk to other people, church communities, about the issue. Those concerned can look up the Good Shepherd Social Justice website, with a link to the Trafficking Clearing House on the front page, for information, resources and ideas on how to be involved in the campaign to eradicate trafficking.
The Commission will continue to keep members updated on this issue and to look for ways to inform their churches and assist those who are lobbying the government for action to protect the victims of trafficking.
