Modern slavery still a scourge on society today
- deansimpson7
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Content warning: This article discusses themes of modern slavery, including coercion, abuse, and exploitation. Some content may be distressing to readers. Support is available at the end of the article for those affected.
BY LERISSE SMITH
For many Australians, slavery is seen as a dark stain in the pages of history.
But the truth is far more confronting: Slavery never ended. Modern slavery is woven into the fabric of everyday life – hidden in homes, workplaces and communities across the country.
Yet there is hope. There is help. There is a lifeline.
Thanks to a groundbreaking initiative, The Salvation Army’s national Additional Referral Pathway (ARP) program is now on the frontline of support for those caught up in a nightmare of coercion, deception, and control. Often, it is their first port of call for help.
“They (the victim-survivors) can be emotionally and psychologically impacted for the rest of their life due to the experience,” said Neenu Thomas, Program Manager of the Additional Referral Pathway program, as she reflected on the impact of slavery.
“It is a huge problem ... There are misconceptions that slavery is done and dusted. It has gone long back and nobody has been enslaved. Now that’s not true. Modern slavery is actually very much still prevalent across the world … When we talk about slavery, we are looking into 200 years of history. It may not be in the same way, but it is still happening. Anyone can end up (in slavery) because of a specific situation.”
Modern slavery is often described as situations where someone controls a person or takes away their freedom and ability to make choices about their life, to gain profit or benefit. For years, the only official support option for victim-survivors was to go through the Australian Federal Police.
But that system didn’t work for everyone, and for some, contact with law enforcement was a terrifying thought. For those trapped in modern slavery – including human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices such as debt bondage, deceptive recruitment, servitude, trafficking, forced labour, forced marriage and at risk of forced marriage – seeking help was often thought to be impossible.
But after two decades of relentless advocacy by non-for-profit organisations, for an additional referral pathway to specifically assist victim-survivors, a turning point finally came: the launch of the ARP Program in June last year, offering a long-overdue alternative.
Now, victim-survivors have choices.
The introduction of the ARP program ensures they can choose to go to police, report the case and get support as one pathway, or choose to come to the ARP program or any of its consortium members for support including the Red Cross Support for Trafficked People’s program or Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program for people who have experienced or are experiencing modern slavery. But if the person’s needs are different from what those programs offer, then the case workers connect that person with alternative options.
“The program provides access to people who prefer not to go to police directly,” Neenu said.
“Among those walking the path to recovery, some choose a quieter road. Instead of seeking justice through legal channels, they turn to welfare support, looking for stability, healing, and a fresh start through services designed to meet their immediate needs. If they feel ‘I just want to recover and move on’, their journey may not involve courtrooms or legal battles, but it is no less courageous. It’s a path shaped by personal choice, safety, and the hope of rebuilding life on their own terms. With the introduction of ARP, they have that option as well.”
And the need is great.
In less than just a year, ARP has received more than 450 enquiries. So far, 87 individuals have been formally referred for support.
Modern slavery can manifest in many ways and involve being forced to work under threat or harsh conditions with little or no pay, having no control over your job or personal life, or being made to repay a never-ending debt.
It also includes being tricked into work that is not as described, being moved or recruited through force or deception for exploitation, or being pressured into marriage, especially if underage.
At its core, the referral pathway program is about one thing: the individual.
“The main aim of our work is that one person,” Neenu explained.
“That one person that we are able to help. To me, it doesn’t matter the number. Every individual who we are able to help has that access to something they never thought would have been possible. We also make sure that they are in a safe place and they feel comfortable before they can actually share their story to refer them if they are eligible. Sometimes, it is the first time they are sharing that with anybody.”
Support is confidential, respectful, and non-judgmental – tailored to each person’s needs.
While many of those who reach out for support are women, the team also work with men and individuals of diverse gender identities. Each person’s experience is unique, and the team’s approach is grounded in respect, inclusivity, and a commitment to meeting people where they are regardless of gender – aged between 18 and 45. If a case doesn’t meet slavery indicators, there is no wrong door. Help is still available.
The program will connect individuals with other relevant services, both within the Salvos and externally. Well-trained, trauma-informed case managers conduct an assessment using an ARP-designed tool. They can also provide brokerage for those impacted by slavery in terms of emergency support, vouchers, food, accommodation, phone or other travel costs.
The program is led by The Salvation Army in partnership with five key organisations: Anti-Slavery Australia, Project Respect, the Australian Centre of Health and Human Rights, the Scarlet Alliance – Australian Sex Workers Association, and the Red Cross.
Together, they are tackling a crime hidden in plain sight.
Affiliated programs include the Red Cross Support for Trafficked People program and Life Without Barriers Forced Marriage Specialist program. Salvos services such as Doorways, homelessness, and counselling support can also assist the victim-survivors.
So, how do people fall into modern slavery?
“At times, it is a deceptive recruitment,” Neenu shared.
“Or it is within an intimate relationship … people who are vulnerable in other areas, like economically or with physical disabilities. They (the perpetrators) use their vulnerability to exploit them. Some cases of slavery stretch back decades. Others are migrants who arrived with a temporary visa, and it is not valid anymore, isolated and vulnerable.”
And the perpetrators? They are not always strangers. They can be family, a friend, community member, or a neighbour.
Modern slavery is a crime in Australia and is governed by Commonwealth sections 270 and 271, which cover offences such as human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices.
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of victim-survivors are Australian citizens with diverse backgrounds. Cases come through word of mouth, friends, family, organisations and community outreach – and even Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Victim-survivors also come through ChatGPT,” Neenu said. “They will give their story in the ChatGPT portal with ChatGPT suggesting ARP as a program to go.”
The program has a website with an email ID and a toll-free number, so people can use either of those in terms of getting in touch with ARP. A huge mix of people from all walks of life come through the program via different platforms – but a significant portion of those the program supports have found their way to ARP on their own, a testament to growing awareness and trust in its services.
But there is always one harsh reality: Modern slavery leaves deep, lasting scars.
“It is control, it is deception,” Neenu explained.
“It is trying to manipulate somebody and take control over their life. That’s kind of how they continue to perpetrate this. So, obviously, that is something that we have seen. Emotionally, it is really draining for the person who is going through that experience. There is a high level of trauma. After the additional referral pathway program came in place, we have seen people with complex mental health issues in terms of the experience they have gone through ARP might be their only options to support provisions.”
Slavery doesn’t always mean locked doors.
Some victim-survivors might be living alone yet are trapped in exploitation for sex or labour. The control is psychological. The manipulation is deep. The emotional fallout is profound. Victim-survivors often face Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), high and complex levels of trauma, anxiety, and shattered trust – especially after being betrayed by someone close.
Obviously, all this actually can contribute to them not being able to function well in day-to-day life, Neenu emphasised. It can also become hard for them to go back into the community. And healing isn’t a straight line. The trauma doesn’t just disappear.
“Anyone can live a purposeful life without being entrapped in modern slavery.”
“From a perspective of acute trauma, like a complex trauma … it never goes away," she added. "It is learning to manage and live with it. It is not being completely cured of trauma, but rather, learning to manage and live with it. It’s like a new reality for many of the survivors, so providing that support to recovery becomes crucial, and it is also a collective responsibility as a community.”
When escape becomes urgent, the ARP team acts fast. From providing phones to coordinating accommodation and transport, they help victims find safety – even if they are still trapped behind four walls.
“They will call us saying that I don’t have anywhere else to go, but I’m being exploited,” Neenu said. “So, we will coordinate that escape, and support with those things too, because victim-survivors can be entrapped in a residence.”
Looking to the future, standing up for what is right is all-important.
The community needs to come together to fight against it, Neenu remarked, adding it could not be one or two people like herself who are part of a program. It needs to be the whole community coming together and saying that this is it: “We are going to stand up and we are going to stand against it … We also need to have a better system where the perpetrators of slavery are prosecuted.”
Hope is also a key element in the fight against modern slavery.
“There is hope,” Neenu said. “Because people we were able to help otherwise would not have had the help. We are hoping that more and more awareness is generated across the country where we are able to help more people.”
And she counts herself fortunate to be part of a dedicated team, adding it was “pretty amazing” the ARP program was able to help victim survivors.
“Anyone can live a purposeful life without being entrapped in modern slavery,” she added. “At least I’m able to open up that pathway through an assessment so that they have the opportunity to progress in life.”
The Additional Pathway Referral program’s website and contact details: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/additional-referral-pathway/
