One Case a Day: Human Trafficking and Forced Marriages Surge in Australia

Commander Helen Schneider, Australian Federal Police. Photo: AFP

Every single day, the Australian Federal Police gets a new report of human trafficking, forced marriages, or modern slavery. The numbers are stark—420 cases in the last year, more than double compared to five years ago. 

Exit trafficking—a crime where coercion, threats, or deception are used to force or attempt to force a person to leave Australia—soared by more than 100 per cent in a single year, with 75 reports, up from just 35. Reports of forced marriage spiked, leaping from 91 to 118 incidents. Cases of sexual servitude increased to 84, up from 59 last year, while reports related to modern slavery more than doubled, from fewer than five to 12. Even child trafficking and domestic servitude have seen increases.​

Most victims of exit trafficking are women. The crime is often hidden and can tear families apart, rob children of safety, and leave survivors reeling from trauma.

Forced Marriages In Australia: Tip Of The Iceberg:

The AFP says this is the highest level ever seen in Australia. Commander Helen Schneider described the figures as “just the tip of the iceberg.”

According to AFP many more cases are going undetected or unreported in everyday communities. Poverty, migration status, language barriers, and a lack of awareness help traffickers keep control.

“What we see from these figures is a trending increase in forced marriage and exit trafficking reports. The increase in forced marriage reports may indicate our engagement and presentations to at-risk community groups are working, and people feel more comfortable reporting this activity,” Commander Schneider said.

“More than 90 per cent of exit trafficking victims are female, which tells us that women are more vulnerable to this type of exploitation, which occurs when coercion, threats or deception are used to exit, or attempt to exit, an individual from Australia.”

Details Of Human Trafficking Cases Lodged By AFP in 2024- 2025 * 118 reports of forced marriage (up from 91 reports from the previous financial year)

• 84 reports of sexual servitude (up from 59 reports);

• 75 reports of exit trafficking (up from 35 reports);

• 42 reports of forced labour (down from 69 reports);

• 36 reports of child trafficking (up from 35 reports);

• 22 reports of domestic servitude (up from 21 reports);

• 15 reports of trafficking in persons (down from 39 reports);

• 12 reports of slavery (up from less than five reports);

• Nine reports of debt bondage (down from 10 reports);

• Five reports of deceptive recruiting (down from 16 reports); and

• Two reports of domestic trafficking in persons (up from zero reports).

“The AFP takes a victim-centric approach to human trafficking investigations, and every report is dealt with carefully and with the victim’s interests and needs front of mind. If prosecution is not suitable, our investigators look for opportunities to prevent and disrupt human trafficking offences, as well as educating the community,” said Commander Schneider

Schneider noted that human trafficking victims range across age, culture, and economic backgrounds but that vulnerabilities such as poverty, language barriers, migration status, and limited awareness of legal rights place many at higher risk.

Here’s What You Can Do: 

• If you suspect you, or someone else, is experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery or human trafficking, call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP’s confidential online form.
  

• If you have immediate concerns for your safety or that of another person, or there is an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).
  

• The Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program (FMSSP) allows those who are at risk of forced marriage or experiencing forced marriage to access assistance without having to report to police. The FMSSP can be contacted by phone (1800 403 213). More information is available on the Life Without Barriers website.
  

• The Additional Referral Pathway provides potential victims and survivors of human trafficking and modern slavery an alternative way to access the STPP and FMSSP. The Additional Referral Pathway can be contacted nationwide during business hours on 1800 000 277 or via the Salvation Army website.