Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit is designed to help students gain a better understanding of modern slavery that render people across the globe subjected to inhuman, degrading and sternly exploitative working and living conditions. It will present the various categories of offences that fall within the umbrella of modern slavery. These offences include trafficking in persons; human exploitation in the context of labour such as, forced labour, debt bondage and other practices similar to slavery; sexual exploitation, removal or organs and, child exploitation. Considering these offences are one of the global challenges of our times, this unit will help students identity and analyse the applicable legal and policy responses with a focus on Australia's framework but using comparative international legal analysis. It will provide a clear understanding of the factors that push or pull vulnerable people into a position of modern slavery and risks in business and supply chains to be followed by the responses being made or ought to be made to prevent modern slavery and protect and assist those affected.
The unit will teach students:
- the meaning and categories of modern slavery offences;
- the myths and realities of modern slavery offences
- the extent, underlying causes and consequences of modern slavery offences globally and in Australia;
- the existing legal and policy framework, and institutional approaches to address the human and social problems of modern slavery;
- to critically evaluate the criminal justice response and other measures, including victim identification, crime prevention, prosecution and victim support and protection available to those subjected to modern slavery;
- the key legal and policy issues arising in preventing modern slavery offences, prosecuting perpetrators and exploiters, and protecting victims; and
- the roles and responsibilities of State and non-state actors, with a focus on big companies who have a reporting obligation (pursuant to the Australian Modern Slavery Act) to ensure there is no risk of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. TEST 18.11.25 AR