The first free Australian online training program for frontline workers dealing with trafficking and slavery has been launched today by Sydney-based Anti-Slavery Australia at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Funded by the Australian Government through the Proceeds of Crime program, the course will offer comprehensive training on human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices including forced labour and forced marriage.
It has been developed for frontline workers from community organisations, government, teachers, health care professionals and law enforcement. The course also covers principles for working with trafficked people and details available support, indicators, referral pathways and next steps.
Anti-Slavery Australia Director, Associate Professor Jennifer Burn, said the launch marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
"Despite the end of Transatlantic Slave Trade over 100 years ago, slavery still happens today," she said. "Slavery has been illegal in Australia since 1824 but slavery still happens and can affect men, women and children, citizens and non-citizens.
"Slavery is the treatment of a person like an object, a commodity to be controlled and used. People can be enslaved in any context, including private homes, commercial kitchens, the agricultural sector and factories.
"Enslaved people may only have one chance to receive help, so it is imperative that the frontline agencies they come into contact with are properly informed on how to identify, support and make the appropriate referrals."
Anti-Slavery Australia's online training course can be accessed through the centre's website www.antislavery.org.au and will be operable on PC, Mac, Android and Apple smartphones. It employs varied learning techniques including videos, graphics and quizzes.
Minister for Justice Michael Keenan said International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery was a timely reminder that education was the key to detecting and preventing "this abhorrent crime."
"Human trafficking is a hidden crime. The full scope of victims in Australia is unknown. That is why the development and use of tools like this are so important. We need to better recognise the signs and have the know-how to respond," Mr Keenan said.
"This learning resource is easy to access, simple to follow and because it is online, it is readily available to everyone. I encourage anyone who suspects a crime of this nature is being committed to seek advice and help from resources such as this."
Anti-Slavery Australia has defended the rights and freedoms of trafficked people in Australia for more than ten years. Located within the UTS Faculty of Law, it is the only specialist research, policy and legal service dedicated to eliminating all forms of trafficking and slavery through confidential legal advice, law reform, professional practice, education and advocacy to support the human rights of trafficked, enslaved and exploited people.
- An Australian-first e-learning tool to battle human trafficking and slavery has been launched by UTS-based Anti-Slavery Australia
- Funded by the Australian Government, the free course has been developed for frontline workers dealing with human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, including forced labour and forced marriage