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Combating People Trafficking
On 13 October 2003 the Australian Government announced a major strategy to combat people trafficking. The $20 million strategy will complement existing efforts to significantly enhance the detection, investigation and prosecution of traffickers and improve the range of support available to victims.
On 17 June 2004 the former government launched the Australian Government’s Plan to Eradicate Trafficking in Persons. The Action Plan is available online for downloading and printing at www.ag.gov.au by following the link to “people trafficking”.
As part of the strategy, OfW coordinates support for victims of trafficking through the Support for Victims of People Trafficking Programme. The Programme provides financial and other support to victims around Australia who are of interest to the police or assisting with criminal investigations and prosecutions in Australia. The support provided assists with victims’ living expenses and their general well being and includes income support, access to accommodation, medical treatment, basic legal advice, counselling, training and social support.
The support is provided by a contracted case manager, who is responsible for ensuring the appropriate coordination or delivery of these support services from the time the client is referred to them by police to the conclusion of the victim’s assistance with the investigation and prosecution in Australia.