How Sandra became a modern day slave in Australia

SANDRA was offered a job in a country that some would die to live in. But her Aussie dream turned into a nightmare after she arrived and was forced into slavery.

SANDRA was offered a job as a housekeeper in a country that some people would die to live in. But her Aussie dream turned into a nightmare after she arrived in Sydney and was forced into domestic slavery.

Her three-year ordeal began when a family that she worked for in the Pacific Islands offered her a job in Australia.

“They promised me paid work and permanent residency in Australia. They organised and paid for me to come to Sydney,” she says in a new video campaign highlighting modern slavery in Australia.

Promised a new life: Sandra had her travel taken care of.

“My passport was taken when I arrived. I did all their housework, washing, ironing, gardening, took car of the dogs, and the swimming pool, I worked hard every day.

“They would threaten me, swear at me, I was not allowed out of the house, and could not contact my family, they had control over my whole life.”

Sandra is one of hundreds of people who have been victims of slavery in Australia.

Since 2004, the Australian Federal Police have investigated 526 cases human trafficking and slavery and identified 225 victims.

”They had control over my whole life”.

On Tuesday, Justice Minister Michael Keenan launched Australia’s five-year national action plan to ramp up efforts to combat human trafficking, slavery and forced marriages. The launch coincided with the international day for the abolition of slavery.

Authorities are bracing for extra cases in the next five years after forced marriages were criminalised last year.

The new plan has seven key areas including education and community awareness, monitoring supply chains, and increasing cooperation between the federal and state governments.

The plan also looks at ways to further crackdown on forced marriages and help young victims.

Sandra managed to escape from her situation after three years of working without pay.

She said she became fearful for her life and there was no sign of her promised permanent residency.

“One day I had the chance to ask someone for help, I don’t know how but maybe someone called the Department of Immigration,” she said.

She was taken to Australia’s only safe house for victims of trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, which is run by the Salvation Army.

With assistance from the organisation she has trained as an assistant in nursing and now works full time in aged car.

”I have a great life now”.

“I have a great life now, I live on my own and have many friends, and a community of people who support me,” she said.

“My hope for the future is that other people who have experience slavery will come forward and that Australia leads the way in ending modern slavery.”

SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN AUSTRALIA

• Since 2004, 526 police investigations and 225 victims

• Majority of trafficked victims to Australia are Asian women exploited in the sex industry

• Male and females are also trafficked to Australia to be exploited in domestic work, hospitality and construction industries.

• The Walk Free Foundation estimates 3000 people are enslaved through debt bondage or the like in Australia.

• In 2012 there was an estimate of 1000 forced marriages in Australia each year.

• If you suspect somebody has been trafficked, or forced to get married, see the Forced Marriage website.