The conference is presented by Project Respect, in association with RMIT School of Social Science and Planning and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, and sponsored by the City of Yarra and VicHealth.

Slavery and sexual servitude is an issue of growing concern in Australia. Victims of this crime experience profound and ongoing violence and threats which have lasting negative impacts on women's physical and psychological health.

In recent months, trafficking for prostitution has received much attention in Australia, with widespread media coverage and the first arrests made under the 1999 sexual slavery laws. Despite this, too little is known about the extent of trafficking in Australia and there is a lack of coordination among those working on the issue. This two-day conference presents an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to address this grave human rights violation, and to develop concrete steps to prevent trafficking, protect trafficked women and prosecute traffickers.

The conference will operate within a framework of Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution, following the UN Protocol on Trafficking in Persons. The themes addressed will include:

• Law;
• Policing;
• Immigration authorities;
• Local government;
• Health;
• Human rights;
• Support for women; and
• Causes of trafficking.