The Australian Christian Lobby has backed suggestions Australia appoint an “anti-slavery commissioner”.
ACL spokesperson Wendy Francis said the concept – aired by anti-slavery expert Professor Jennifer Burn on SBS’s Insight program – was badly needed to stop the trafficking of girls into Australian brothels, noting that human trafficking, of which sex trafficking is an aspect, is the fastest growing crime globally.
“Slavery and slavery-like practices are a violation of human rights and should not be occurring in Australia,” she said in a statement. “An anti-slavery commissioner will go some way in supporting the victims of trafficking and flushing out those involved in this illegal activity.”
Ms Francis said Australia also needed to adopt the “well-tested” Nordic approach to prostitution which targets the buyers of sex rather than the prostitutes with sanctions, and which has seen a dramatic fall in prositution in Sweden.
“It is disgraceful that girls are being brought to Australia, often under false illusions, and live in fear of their pimps and brothel masters.”
