Sex slavery cases refered APF

Letter to the Editor - Sydney Morning Herald
20 October 2003

Dear Sir/Madam

Your paper is right to applaud recent measures by the Government to strengthen Australia's ability to fight sex trafficking. However, contrary to your editorial (At last, action on sex slavery - October 20), we have not knowingly removed victims of this serious criminal offence in any way that could impede an investigation.

Departmental officers are responsible for locating people working unlawfully and they do that very successfully. People found to be working illegally in the sex industry are taken through a structured interview to determine whether they have been trafficked to Australia.

If they find any indication of people trafficking, immigration staff refer the case to the Australian Federal Police. The AFP is responsible for the assessment and investigation of such cases as well as for seeking Criminal Justice Visas (CJVs) from the department to ensure people can remain legally in Australia to assist with any further investigation.

Since March 1999, 34 CJVs have been granted in relation to sexual offences, of which 14 were issued to either witnesses or victims of sexual offences and 10 of these were witnesses in sexual servitude cases.

Yours sincerely,

Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA