trafficking

Canberra Woman Charged With Human Trafficking, Debt Bondage And Prostitution | Gov Monitor

A 42-year-old woman will face ACT Magistrates Court this morning, after being charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The woman has been charged with offences including possessing a slave, debt bondage and operating an illegal brothel.

It will be alleged in court that the woman brought sex workers to Australia to work in exploitative conditions in Canberra.

Officers from the AFP’s Transnational Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Teams (TSETT) executed a search warrant on 14 October 2009 in the Canberra suburb of Kambah.

The woman was arrested and charged with the following offences:

* Possessing a slave, contrary to section 270.3(1)(a) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)

* Debt Bondage, contrary to section 271.8(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)

* Attempting to pervert the course of justice, contrary to section 43 of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)

* Two counts of allowing a non-citizen to work in breach of a visa condition, contrary to section 245AC of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth)

* Allowing an unlawful non-citizen to work, contrary to section 245AB of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth)

* Operating a brothel other than in a prescribed location, contrary to section 18 of the Prostitution Act (ACT)

The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at the ACT Magistrates Court today (18 November 2009).

A 55-year-old Preston man has also been served with a summons in connection with this matter and is due to appear in ACT Magistrates Court today.

The TSETT were established to investigate Commonwealth offences relating to trafficking in persons for sexual or labour exploitation.

Where a potential victim is identified, the AFP responds immediately to remove identified trafficking victims from harm, and to initiate victim support arrangements in line with the whole-of-government strategy to combat trafficking.

Australia is recognised as a destination country for such activities, though current data suggests the number of victims in Australia is low with 141 victims provided with support on the program since 2004.

By its very nature, this crime type involves people who are reluctant to come forward due to shame, threats or fear.

Police urge anyone with information they believe may be related to people trafficking or sexual servitude to contact the AFP on 1800 813 784 (free call).

The maximum penalty for these offences is 25 years imprisonment.

Topics: AFP, Australia, Australian Federal Police, Canberra, debt bondage, Governance, human trafficking, illegal brothel, Kambah, labour exploitation, prostitution, sex crimes, sex workers, sexual exploitation, slave, Transnational Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Teams, TSETT

I AM CRYSTAL METH

"I AM CRYSTAL METH" was written by a young girl who was in
jail for drug charges, and was addicted to crystal meth. She
wrote this while in jail. As you will soon read, she fully
grasped the horrors of the drug, as she tells in this simple,
yet profound poem. She was released from jail, but true to
her story, the drug owned her.


I destroy homes, I tear families apart, take your children,
and that's just the start.
I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than
gold, the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
If you need me, remember! I'm easily found, I live all
around you in schools and in town.
I live with the rich; I live with the poor, I live down the
street, and maybe next door.
I'm made in a lab, but not like you think,
I can be made under the kitchen sink.
In your child's closet, and even in the woods,
if this scares you to death, well it certainly should.

I have many names, but there's one you know best,
I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is Crystal Meth.
My power is awesome; try me, you'll see,
but if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice,
and I'll own your soul.
When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie,
you do what you have to, just to get high.
The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms
will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms,
(your lungs, and your nose).
You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad,
when you see their tears, you should feel sad.
But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised,
I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,
I turn people from God, and separate friends.
I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride;
I'll be with you always -- right by your side.
You'll give up everything - your family, your home,
your friends, your money, and then you'll be alone.
I'll take and take, till you have nothing more to give,
when I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned - this is no game,
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,
I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed,
the voices you'll hear, from inside your head.
The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see,
I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart,
that you are mine, and we shall not part.
You'll regret that you tried me, they always do,
but you came to me, not I to you!
You knew this would happen, many times you were told,
but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
You could have said no, and just walked away,
if you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I'll be your master, you will be my slave,
and I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.
Now that you have met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell,
Come take my hand; let me lead you to hell.

source: http://www.sexworker.org.au/redmagazine/display_red_issue.asp?id=85