Domestic Servitude

What is Domestic Servitude?

Domestic servitude is a type of modern slavery. It happens when someone is forced to work in a home and cannot leave. They are controlled by threats or lies and have no freedom. In Australia, this is a serious crime.

In Australia:

• You have the right to freedom and fair work conditions.
• No one should force you to work against your will.
• Help is available, and you are not alone.

Who Can Be Affected?

Anyone can be a victim of domestic servitude, but most victims are women and girls. It can happen to people from any background, including men and boys.

Domestic servitude might seem like regular domestic work (like cleaning or cooking), but it is exploitation. This means the person is being treated unfairly and abusively.

Victims are often:

• Deceived About Work Conditions: They are lied to about what the job will be like.
• Isolated: They are kept away from friends, family, and the community.
• Threatened or Hurt: They face threats or actual violence.
• Underpaid or Unpaid: They receive little or no money for their work.
• Without Control Over ID Documents: They do not have access to their passports or other identification documents.
• Trapped by Debt: They owe money for travel or visas and cannot leave until it is paid back. Sometimes family members that are overseas are threatened if this debt is not paid.

Signs of Domestic Servitude

• Being forced to work long hours with little or no pay.
• Not being allowed to leave the workplace.
• Being isolated from friends, family, or the community.
• Facing threats or actual violence.
• Not having control over personal identification documents like passports.
• Being in debt for travel or visas.

Getting Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic servitude, help is available.

Australian Red Cross Support for Trafficked People Program: Call 03 9345 1800 or email national_STPP@redcross.org.au

Australian Federal Police: 131 237 or go to the AFP website.

The Australian Red Cross has developed resources in your language that can help you understand modern slavery.