A New Campaign In Aussie Airports Is Fighting Staggering Rise in Human Trafficking
Image: A mock up of the A21 human trafficking campaign in Sydney Airport.
Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport have just announced a joint campaign geared towards helping victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery. The campaign will help people spot the signs of human trafficking in airports, and direct them on how to make a report.
The campaign is in collaboration with global anti-human trafficking organisation, A21, with information and guidance from the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The new ‘Can You See Me’ human trafficking campaign
The ‘Can You See Me?’ campaign will include electronic signs and billboards that will have QR codes with information, the phone number to the AFP, and the slogan “If you suspect it, report it.”
The campaign is intended to encourage passers-by to be able to recognise the signs of potential trafficking and to report suspicious activity and behaviour to authorities to keep victims safe.
‘Everyone has a role to play in the fight against human trafficking’
Nick Caine, A21 CEO, said, “Everyone has a role to play in the fight against human trafficking. Awareness is the first step, and we believe that through this campaign, more victims will be recognised and rescued. ”
A21 has launched the “Can You See Me?” campaign in dozens of countries worldwide, and are focused towards raising awareness and giving concrete, acted-out examples of what to watch out for in numerous potential slavery or trafficking scenarios.
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You can visit A21’s website and watch the videos and access more resources.
“Every person who steps through our airport deserves to travel safely, without fear of exploitation,” said Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said, “Knowing that human trafficking is a real and daily threat, we feel a deep responsibility to protect our passengers.”
Campaign billboards to sit in Sydney and Melbourne airports
The electronic signs and billboards are to be displayed at high-visibility areas like check-in counters, gates, and baggage carousels.
The Sydney Airport’s website has listed the airport-specific signs and indicators of human trafficking, which includes:
- a person avoids eye contact and social interaction
- is not in control of the own passport or documentation
- has a language barrier with their travelling companions
- is unusually submissive and quiet
- is potentially unaware of their destination
- or their clothing is not appropriate or does not suit the route of travel.
Sydney and Melbourne airports cater for “68% of Australia’s total international passenger traffic” according to the Sydney Airport.
During the campaign, which will run for the next month, around 7 million passengers are expected to pass through both the domestic and international terminals at both airports.
Australia is seeing staggering increase in human trafficking
From 2023 to 2024, the APF received 382 reports of modern slavery or trafficking, which is a staggering 12 percent increase from the previous year.
The reported cases include trafficking, forced marriage, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, debt bondage, forced labour, deceptive recruitment and organ trafficking.
According to the Global Slavery Index, an estimated 41,000 people in Australia live under conditions of modern slavery.
How to report it if you suspect someone is being trafficked
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) protect people who are victims of modern slavery and can help keep you safe.
If you suspect someone is at risk, you can:
- Make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
- Call 131 AFP (131 237) or make a report online
- Or if you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 000 for help.
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