An arrest in New South Wales this week has shone a light on the little-known crime of exit trafficking.
Australian Federal Police Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said exit trafficking was an insidious and often underreported criminal offence.
“Exit trafficking can involve a person using coercion, deception or a threat, to organise or facilitate another to leave Australia,” Detective Acting Inspector Tsardoulias said.
“No one has the right to force or deceive anyone to leave Australia, or to prevent them from returning against their will.
“We want victims to know the AFP is here to help them and that their safety and wellbeing is our primary concern when we are investigating these matters. Each case is handled with compassion and great care, and the victim’s needs are always paramount.”
In the recent case, a western Sydney was arrested yesterday (September 25) for allegedly exit trafficking his wife to Pakistan.
Detective Acting Inspector Tsardoulias said the AFP’s Eastern Command Human Trafficking Team launched Operation Kisurra in November last year after receiving a report from a woman who claimed her husband had left her in Pakistan without documentation after the family travelled overseas together from Australia.
“The man, 29, allegedly deceived the victim about the purpose of travel, telling her they were going to go to Pakistan to see her family. The woman agreed to the trip, and the man, she and their two children flew to Afghanistan in July, 2023 for a holiday, then continued to Pakistan.
“While travelling, it will be alleged the man retained control of the family’s tickets, passports, visas and other travel documents.”
Detective Acting Inspector Tsardoulias said the AFP would allege, after the family arrived in Pakistan, the man told the woman he was going back to Afghanistan to visit friends. However, in September 2023, the victim found out he had returned to Australia alone.
He said the AFP worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure the woman and her children were able to safely return to Australia.
Detective Acting Inspector Tsardoulias said the maximum penalty for exit trafficking was 12 years’ imprisonment.
If you suspect that you or another person is experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery or human trafficking, call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP’s confidential online form.
If you or someone you know is being exploited, help is available. For information and confidential advice please contact Australian Red Cross via their website or call 1800 113 015.
