Red Cross Funding Boost for ‘Trafficked People’ Program

Flickr image:  Some rights reserved by Ira Gelb

The Australian Red Cross will receive an additional $1.2 million for its work to help victims of human trafficking, under the Australian Government’s Support for Trafficked People program.

The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins made the announcement at the UN Women Parliamentary International Women’s Day breakfast in Canberra.

“The Australian Red Cross is doing a remarkable job helping victims recover from the trauma of human trafficking and this extra funding brings the Gillard Government’s support for the Red Cross program to $4.22 million over four years.

“This program helps with accommodation, counselling, legal and migration advice, and skills training, including English-language classes and vocational guidance,” Collins said.

The support program began in 2004 and has assisted 191 men and women across Australia, There are currently more than 60 people on the program.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said while the incidence of human trafficking is low in here compared to other countries, Australia cannot afford to be complacent.

“The majority of victims have been women working in the sex industry, but an increasing number of people are being brought to Australia for forced marriage,” Roxon said.

“Forced marriage has no place in Australia, which is why we are introducing new laws into Parliament to criminalise the practice.”

For more information on the Support for Trafficked People program visit www.fahcsia.gov.au