Minister for Justice Michael Keenan has today announced $1.44 million in funding for organisations that work to detect and prevent human trafficking and slavery.
“This funding will be used for detection activities, direct support for individual victims of trafficking and slavery, and cutting-edge awareness programs to push our community to expose suspected exploitation,” Mr Keenan said.
Mr Keenan explained that in the decade since the Howard Government launched Australia’s strategy to combat human trafficking and slavery there has been more than 400 Australian Federal Police investigations into allegations of trafficking and slavery-related offences where 228 victims have been identified.
“Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH), Anti-Slavery Australia, Project Respect and Scarlet Alliance are specialists in their fields and work tirelessly to prevent human trafficking and slavery by identifying people who are in need of help, and providing ongoing care and support to those who have experienced extreme exploitation,” Mr Keenan said.
Mr Keenan pointed out that each organisation will receive $360,000 over three years under the Grants to Australian Organisations Program.