The Salvation Army Welcomes Extension of Additional Referral Pathway to 2027 to Strengthen Support for Modern Slavery Survivors

The Salvation Army welcomes the Department of Social Services decision to extend the Additional Referral Pathway program to 30 June 2027, providing a pathway to support for people experiencing modern slavery and exploitation.

Over the initial pilot period, the Additional Referral Pathway has received hundreds of enquiries for assistance, providing confidential information about rights and options, safety planning, legal advice and assistance with immediate welfare needs, including supporting people to safely leave situations of exploitation and abuse. The program connects individuals to appropriate support pathways, according to their eligibility, needs and choices.

“The Additional Referral Pathway has referred over 140 modern slavery survivors to the Support for Trafficked People Program and Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program since the pilot began on 23rd July 2024” stated Lorrinda Hamilton, General Manager, Family Violence & Modern Slavery Stream.

Over the initial pilot period, the Additional Referral Pathway Consortium of The Salvation Army, Anti-Slavery Australia, Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights, Project Respect and Scarlet Alliance has achieved a significant impact together. This has included not just service delivery but also developing modern slavery assessment tools for the Australian context, creating resources and raising awareness of modern slavery across the service sector and the community.

A key learning from the pilot was the need to provide in-person frontline presence, both for case management and sector awareness raising. In order to strengthen national reach to people experiencing all forms of modern slavery and amidst finite resourcing, changes are being made to the model. The Additional Referral Pathway will be delivered by The Salvation Army in partnership with Anti-Slavery Australia, and with continued collaboration with Project Respect and Scarlet Alliance to support program delivery.

The Additional Referral Pathway can be contacted on 1800 000 277 (ARP) or via arp@salvationarmy.org.au in business hours nationwide. People can also connect via Anti- Slavery Australia at https://antislavery.org.au/free-legal-services/