Fed: Numbers of sex slaves in Australia quadruples

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-1999
Fed: Numbers of sex slaves in Australia quadruples

The number of sex slaves being trafficked into Australia has more than quadrupled in
the last two years.

An Immigration Department report says the number of sex workers found to be in Australia
illegally has jumped from 56 two years ago to 243.

And Asian sex workers continue to make up most of the illegal immigrant sex workers
located in Australia.

The report says many of the women are in a jail-like environment under the control
of brothel owners.

They're pressured to service as many customers as possible in a short time and had
no access to the money they earn.







The report says that some women make their own travel arrangements, but other women
unable to get visas to work legally, enter into a debt arrangement.

The family's financial situation may force some women into the trade.

Female sex slaves are trafficked into Australia mostly by air and are usually escorted
by a people smuggling operative.

New South Wales is home to the highest number of sex slaves, with 63 per cent, followed
by Victoria then Queensland.

AAP RTV daw/mfh/tso/jn/rt

KEYWORD: SLAVES (CANBERRA)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.