Sexual Slavery

The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House and Senate the fact that:

• While exact figures are difficult to establish, a significant number of women have been, and are being, trafficked into Australia for purposes of sexual servitude.
• The Australian Government has thus far been reluctant to follow the first recommendation of the US Department of State’s 2003 ‘Pathbreaking Strategies in the Global Fight Against Sex Trafficking’ conference: viz.,
• Pass comprehensive national anti-trafficking laws that prosecute traffickers and provide for the safety and privacy of the victim, proper representation in court, access to medical care, social assistance, compensation for damages, and the right to seek and receive residency.
• The temporary visas for which victims of sexual trafficking may apply — the Bridging visa, the Criminal Justice Stay visa and the Witness Protection visa — are all conditional on victims’ providing evidence against those who have trafficked them.

Your petitioners therefore ask the House and Senate to ensure that the Government:

• Follow the recommendation of the US Department of State’s 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report with regard to Australia, that, ‘The government should consider expanding its protection efforts to cover victims who cooperate with the police but who are not part of a viable investigation.’
• To this end, pursue a policy not only of comprehensive victim protection, but also integration into the general community, up to the level of granting rights of permanent residency for such victims.