Reports of human trafficking, forced marriage and slavery have spiked, highlighting the harsh reality of exploitation for many people living in Australia.
The Australian Federal Police received 382 reports of human trafficking and modern slavery in the 2023/24 financial year, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year.
"They represent innocent lives in the community," AFP Human Exploitation Commander Helen Schneider said on Tuesday.
Of the reports, 109 related to human trafficking, 91 to forced marriage, 59 to sexual servitude and four to slavery.
Ms Schneider said a rise in reports was likely due to increased awareness of the offences within the community.
"By raising awareness of the laws in Australia and supporting victims, we can make strides in eradicating this crime," she said.
Sakina Muhammad Jan on Monday became the first person in Australia to be sentenced on the charge of causing a person to enter into a forced marriage since it became an offence in 2013.
The 48-year-old was sentenced to three years behind bars for forcing her 20-year-old daughter to marry her eventual murderer.
Earlier in July, AFP officers revealed they had dismantled a syndicate allegedly responsible for luring vulnerable women and girls from Indonesian slums to work in Sydney brothels.
The alleged onshore ringleader has been charged over the alleged trafficking of a 17-year-old girl.
Seven people were removed from the ring, while a number of female foreign nationals were identified as potential victims of human trafficking as part of the investigation.
About 20 brothels across Sydney and the NSW Central Coast were believed to be linked to the criminal syndicate, police said.
The AFP introduced a referral pathway in July to allow community members to report allegations of trafficking and exploitation as many victims might not be able to contact authorities.
"Victims may want to be removed from harmful situations but may not wish to proceed with criminal justice measures and we must respect that," Ms Schneider said.
"This represents a critical step to addressing the scourge of human trafficking."
The AFP data release coincides with the United Nations' World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
UN figures show that one-in-three victims of human trafficking globally was a child.
