Good News from ACRATH

List News

19/02/2018 - Australia

Report from Australia

Noelene Simmons, president of ACRATH (Australian Religious Aganst Human Trafficking) took delight in giving this account of a recent step forward in advocacy work :

ACRATH, and other NGOs, have long advocated that support for victims of human trafficking and slavery through the Government funded Support for Trafficked People Programme administered by the Red Cross should not be dependent on whether or not the person trafficked or enslaved is able to take part in the criminal justice process. There can be a number of reason why a person is unable to take part in the criminal justice process such as mental illness brought on by their experience, fear, the perpetrator may even be the victim's parents as in the case of forced marriage.

On Thursday 15th February the Australian Minister for Home Affairs announced that for a trial period of twelve months people affected by forced marriage could have 200 days support (this was formerly 90 days) and support would not be conditional on taking part in the criminal justice process. This will make a huge difference for those impacted. ACRATH is aware of a number of young women still at school who will now be able to get support and perhaps even prevent a forced marriage from taking place. ACRATH is also pleased that the Government has awarded Red Cross further funding to make the implementation of this decision possible.

We are conscious that this is a twelve month trial but our hope is the trial will lead to policy and be extended to other victims of human trafficking and slavery.

Well done, ACRATH!!
We rejoice with Noelene and all concerned
and pray that this temporary step may soon become policy.

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