Exit trafficking cases double in one year
Alarming new data from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has revealed a dramatic rise in human trafficking cases, particularly in the area of “exit trafficking,” where victims are deceived or coerced into leaving the country.
During the 2024–25 financial year, reports jumped by 114%, from 35 to 75 cases — an average of one report every four days.
Women and minors among the victims
Of the 75 cases, 64% involved perpetrators who were family members or intimate partners, while a third of the victims were under 18.
AFP Commander Helen Schneider said that while prosecution remains important, the top priority is prevention and public education, as many victims are unaware of their rights or fear retaliation.
“No one has the right to force or deceive anyone into leaving Australia or prevent them from returning,” Schneider said.
Challenges for investigators
Exit trafficking cases are particularly complex to prosecute, especially when offenders belong to the same communities as their victims.
In one recent case, a Sydney man was charged for allegedly abandoning his wife and child in Pakistan.
The AFP’s Human Exploitation Community Officer (HECO) program, launched in 2023, aims to educate communities and detect early signs of exploitation. Over the past year, HECO officers conducted more than 220 presentations and 700 community engagements across the country.
A national problem without boundaries
In total, the AFP recorded 420 reports of human trafficking in 2024–25 — a 10% increase from the previous year.
Key categories included forced marriage (118 cases), sexual servitude (84), and forced labour (42).
“Human trafficking does not discriminate,” Commander Schneider warned. “Victims can come from any background, age, gender or social class.”
The AFP is urging Australians to stay alert and report suspected trafficking indicators — such as travellers without passports, phones, or return tickets — to help stop this hidden crime before it spreads further.
