'Truly troubling': police rescue allegedly enslaved woman forced to stay in Canberra

Police have rescued a Colombian woman from a Canberra home who told them "truly troubling" details of her alleged enslavement.

Officers from ACT Policing's sexual assault and child abuse team found the woman after searching a business in Majura Park and a house in O'Malley.

They used a warrant to search the home about 8.40am on Thursday.

The woman told police she was forced to work seven days a week, starting before 7am until late in the evening.

She alleged she was not allowed out of the O'Malley home without an escort and was forced to work at the Majura Park business.

Police said the woman allegedly did cleaning and cooking work while also caring for children in the home. It is also alleged she was given minimal food and was paid cash, well below minimum wage, for her work.

Officers from ACT Policing's sexual assault and child abuse team at the O'Malley home were the alleged victim of human trafficking was found. Picture via ACT Policing

The woman told police she wanted to return home to Colombia but was not allowed to do so.

An alleged human trafficking investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made yet.

The investigation started after ACT Policing received information in June alleging a woman was trafficked from Colombia to Canberra in early 2023.

"The woman has made some truly troubling allegations about the work she was expected to do, the restrictions on her freedom, and the money that she was paid," Detective Inspector Stephanie Leonard from ACT Policing said.

Anyone with any information about this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppers.com.au referencing Operation Paxton.

Human trafficking - What are the signs?

Police are also urging everyone to look out for cases of human trafficking and slavery. Signs that someone may be a victim of human trafficking include:

• The person appears reluctant to travel, and/or their movements appear to be controlled by another person;
• The person does not have a passport or another form of identity or the person can't access them;
• The person is subject to poor living or working conditions;
• The person never or rarely leaves their house for non-work reasons;

• The person has little or no money or no access to their earnings;
• The person has physical injuries which may have resulted from assault, harsh treatment or unsafe work practices; or
• The person is always in the presence of their employer or another person, who does not want or allow them to socialise with others.

The maximum penalty for human trafficking in Australia is 12 years' imprisonment.