Visit our website at www.afp.gov.au for all the latest information on the Australian Federal Police
18 November 2009
Media Release
Woman to face court in Canberra for trafficking
people
A 42-year-old woman will face ACT Magistrates Court this morning, after being
charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The woman has been charged with offences including possessing a slave, debt
bondage and operating an illegal brothel.
It will be alleged in court that the woman brought sex workers to Australia to
work in exploitative conditions in Canberra.
Officers from the AFP’s Transnational Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Teams
(TSETT) executed a search warrant on 14 October 2009 in the Canberra
suburb of Kambah.
The woman was arrested and charged with the following offences:
Possessing a slave, contrary to section 270.3(1)(a) of the Criminal
Code 1995 (Cth)
Debt Bondage, contrary to section 271.8(1) of the Criminal Code 1995
(Cth)
Attempting to pervert the course of justice, contrary to section 43 of
the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)
Two counts of allowing a non-citizen to work in breach of a visa
condition, contrary to section 245AC of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth)
Allowing an unlawful non-citizen to work, contrary to section 245AB of
the Migration Act 1958 (Cth)
Operating a brothel other than in a prescribed location, contrary to
section 18 of the Prostitution Act (ACT)
The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at the ACT Magistrates
Court today (18 November 2009).
A 55-year-old Preston man has also been served with a summons in
connection with this matter and is due to appear in ACT Magistrates Court
today.
The TSETT were established to investigate Commonwealth offences relating to
trafficking in persons for sexual or labour exploitation.
Where a potential victim is identified, the AFP responds immediately to remove
identified trafficking victims from harm, and to initiate victim support
arrangements in line with the whole-of-government strategy to combat
trafficking.
Australia is recognised as a destination country for such activities, though
current data suggests the number of victims in Australia is low with 141 victims
provided with support on the program since 2004.
Visit our website at www.afp.gov.au for all the latest information on the Australian
Federal Police
By its very nature, this crime type involves people who are reluctant to come
forward due to shame, threats or fear.
Police urge anyone with information they believe may be related to people
trafficking or sexual servitude to contact the AFP on 1800 813 784 (free call).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 25 years imprisonment.
Media enquiries
AFP National Media Team
Phone: (02) 6275 7100
NEWS 
