McIvor and Tanuchit: A Truly 'Heinous' Case of Sexual Slavery
A Schloenhardt, L Laura-Rose, 'McIvor and Tanuchit: a Truly 'Heinous' Case of Sexual Slavery' (2012) 35 (1) University of New South Wales Law Journal 177-202
University of Queensland TC Beirne School of Law Research Paper No. 13-15
27 Pages Posted: 20 Nov 2013
Date Written: 2012
Abstract
The proceedings against Mr. Trevor McIvor and Ms. Kanakporn Tanuchit are among the very small number of reported cases of trafficking in persons in Australia. It also marks the first convictions for slavery offences in New South Wales. In June 2006, five Thai women were discovered in a secret room in the basement of a licensed brothel owned by Mr. McIvor and Ms. Tanuchit. In December 2010, the pair was convicted of five counts of possessing a slave and five counts of exercising over a slave powers attaching to the right of ownership, contrary to section 270.3(1)(a) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) schedule 1 (‘Criminal Code’). When questioned about the crime, the Crown Prosecutor for the case, Mr. Bruce Levet, described the actions of the couple as ‘heinous’.
Keywords: trafficking in persons, sexual slavery, Australia
JEL Classification: K14, K33
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation