Healthcare professionals across New South Wales are being given a new resource to help identify people who may be experiencing modern slavery, including forced labour, debt bondage and other forms of exploitation. The guide was developed with input from specialists and people who have survived modern slavery, with the aim of helping victims receive support earlier.

The resource recognises that modern slavery is not always easy to identify. Victims may not have physical restraints or obvious signs of abuse. Instead, they may be controlled through threats, manipulation, financial pressure, coercion or debts that they cannot realistically repay. Some people may not recognise that their circumstances amount to exploitation, while others may be too frightened to disclose what is happening.

The guide was informed by the experience of a survivor identified as Sarah, who escaped debt bondage six years ago after meeting a man who promised to help her establish a business. During the period when she was being exploited, she visited emergency departments, sexual health clinics and general practitioner practices. However, she said healthcare workers did not understand what was happening, and she did not feel safe or know how to explain her circumstances.

Sarah's experience demonstrates why healthcare settings can be important places for identifying exploitation. People experiencing abuse may seek medical attention for injuries, chronic pain, stress or mental health difficulties without telling anyone about the underlying cause. A doctor or nurse who recognises concerning patterns may be able to offer a safe opportunity for the person to disclose their situation.

The guide encourages healthcare workers to ask sensitive questions, build trust and respond without blaming or judging the patient. It also explains where professionals can seek advice and how they can direct people towards appropriate specialist services. The resource is not a mandatory reporting policy; instead, it is designed to improve recognition, communication and access to support.

NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner James Cockayne said the mechanisms used to control victims can be difficult for outsiders to recognise. Exploitation may be hidden behind employment arrangements, contracts, financial obligations or relationships that appear ordinary. A person may seem free to leave while facing threats, intimidation or circumstances that make leaving extremely difficult.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners contributed to the development of the resource. Jennifer Neil, deputy chair of its Specific Interest Group in Abuse and Violence in Families, said modern slavery can have serious physical and psychological consequences. General practitioners may be particularly well placed to identify warning signs because they often see patients repeatedly and can notice changes over time.

Possible warning signs include another person dominating conversations during appointments, answering questions on behalf of the patient, or a patient describing persistent debts and repayment obligations. Such signs do not automatically prove exploitation, but they may indicate that a private, sensitive conversation is needed.

The guide was launched in Dubbo earlier this month and is expected to be distributed more widely across New South Wales. Although designed for the state's circumstances, its developers believe it could also help healthcare professionals in other parts of Australia.

The NSW Office of the Anti-slavery Commissioner estimates that around 16,400 people may be trapped in modern slavery in the state, with the national estimate reaching approximately 41,000. These figures highlight the potential scale of a problem that often remains hidden from public view.

The initiative aims to help healthcare workers recognise exploitation, offer safe support and connect affected people with specialist services. Its success will depend on professionals knowing the guide exists, understanding how to use it and having access to appropriate support pathways.