Modern slavery refers to situations of exploitation where a person cannot refuse or leave, because of threats, violence, coercion, abuse of power or deception.
It is estimated that 15,000 people are living in slavery-like conditions in Australia, according to the latest figures from the Global Slavery Index 2018
The most vulnerable are people who hold temporary visas, migrants and new arrivals. This includes those on sponsored employment visas that bond them to their employer, seasonal workers from the Pacific, international students and asylum seekers.
All are vulnerable to exploitation across different industry sectors, but particularly agriculture, food processing, cleaning and security, waste management, domestic work, building and construction.
In January 2019 the Australian Government passed the Modern Slavery Act 2018 based on similar legislation in the UK. The Diocese is committed to compiling with this act.
Our presenters Sr Suzette Clark, Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Human, Ms Jenny Stanger, Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network and Ms Nicola Arvidson, Diocese of Maitland Newcastle, Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance will help you to understand Modern Slavery and prepare your parish or community to know how to recognise Modern Slavery.
Registration is available: Modern Slavery Registration, and you can read more about the Modern Slavery Webinar in the flyer here.