Sometimes a person says they ‘own’ someone else and can control what they do. This may be because that person owes them money or has a contract with them. Or they may be taking advantage of that person’s fears or vulnerabilities.
It does not matter if there is a debt or contract. Making someone a slave, using someone like a slave, and buying, selling or trading a person is a crime.
Someone experiencing slavery is used by another person in any way they like, just how they would use property or objects they own. They may be held in slavery in a home, a workplace or elsewhere.
What slavery looks like
In addition to general warning signs, situations involving slavery can include where a person:
- uses someone or makes them work with no limits
- controls someone’s movements
- makes someone work with little or no pay
- threatens someone or their family if they refuse to work or try to leave
- buys, sells or trades another person.
Slavery is a serious crime
In Australia, it is against the law to use someone like property, or to buy, sell or trade a person.
Under Australia’s Criminal Code, the penalty for slavery includes jail for up to 25 years.
