A Melbourne man has been sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of four years, for possessing a slave and depriving them of basic human rights, including food, sleep and medical assistance.
The man, 47, was sentenced today in the Melbourne County Court after being found guilty of intentionally possessing a slave, contrary to Commonwealth law, and common assault, contrary to Victorian law.
The AFP started an investigation into the man after a woman with significant injuries to her body and a startled demeanour presented to a hospital emergency department in East Melbourne on 11 October, 2022, prompting medical staff to alert authorities.
AFP investigators conducted extensive inquiries into the victim's living circumstances and subsequently executed a search warrant at a Point Cook address on 27 October, 2022. The man was later arrested at his work address and charged with human trafficking offences.
AFP investigators alleged the victim had been living with the man and his family at two Point Cook addresses and was subjected to exploitation, including restrictions on her freedom of movement and deprivation of food and sleep, while being required to perform domestic duties.
AFP Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano said the outcome demonstrated the AFP's commitment to protecting vulnerable people and pursuing those involved in human exploitation.
"Human trafficking and modern slavery offences strip victims of their freedom, dignity and basic human rights. They lose their sense of identity," Det-Supt Imbriano said.
"This offending involved the exploitation of a vulnerable woman for personal gain. It serves as a reminder that these crimes can occur within our own communities, often behind closed doors."
"The AFP is focused on protecting vulnerable people, in Australia, from exploitation, with specialist human trafficking investigators."
