Queensland

Save
Print
License article

Brisbane couple charged with human trafficking over slave held for eight years

A man and a woman have been charged with human trafficking after allegedly holding a woman as a slave in Brisbane for nearly a decade.

Australian Federal Police allege the 42-year-old woman was brought to Australia from Fiji and kept in domestic servitude for eight years.

In August last year federal police were alerted to the alleged slavery by the Salvation Army.

On July 19 a 56-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman were arrested at a home in The Gap, Brisbane, and charged with trafficking in persons, causing a person to enter into or remain in servitude, and allowing an unlawful non-citizen to work.

The man and woman were bailed and scheduled to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

AFP Commander Lesa Gale said the arrests showed human trafficking was a real and modern issue.

"There are people in our community who are being exploited today and the Australian community needs to be aware human trafficking can happen anywhere," Commander Gale said.

"We want victims to know that there is a way out of these terrible situations for them, and that we can help."

More to come