25 October 2025 – Salvos Magazine

“A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle.” – James Keller

Editorial

What is The Salvation Army?

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.

Vision Statement

Wherever there is hardship or injustice, Salvos will live, love and fight alongside others to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus by:

• Caring for people

• Creating faith pathways

• Building healthy communities

• Working for justice

The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders, past, present, and future. We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.

On our doorstep

Modern slavery and human trafficking are global issues that many Australians assume happen overseas. That’s if we think of them at all. They can seem so far removed from our daily lives and are not something we often read about, much less see.

That’s part of the problem. Australia is not exempt from this global scourge and, as Lerisse Smith writes in our feature this week, “Modern slavery is … hidden in homes, workplaces and communities across the country.”

Thankfully, hope and help are out there for those caught up in these insidious crimes, as our articles in this edition outline.

Scan here to connect with The Salvation Army services

Scan here to subscribe to Salvos Magazine

Founders: William and Catherine Booth

Salvation Army World Leaders: General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn

Buckingham

Territorial Leader: Commissioner Miriam Gluyas

Secretary for Communications and Editor-In-Chief: Colonel Rodney Walters

Publications Manager: Cheryl Tinker

Editor: Simone Worthing

Graphic Designer: Ryan Harrison

Enquiry email: publications@salvationarmy.org.au

All other Salvation Army enquiries 13 72 58

Press date: 3 October 2025

Printed and published for The Salvation Army by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas at Focus Print Group, Chester Hill, NSW, Darug Nation lands.

And each of us can play a role, too. This can include being aware of unethical supply chains in the production of goods that we buy – and using our purchasing power to support companies dedicated to combatting modern slavery. We can also learn some of the signs of a person caught up in slavery-like practices, be able to identify those signs, and know where to go to get help.

Let’s do what we can to make a difference!

For these stories and more, go to salvosonline.org.au

Simone Worthing Editor

THE ONGOING SCOURGE OF MODERN SLAVERY

Content warning: this article discusses themes of modern slavery, including coercion, abuse and exploitation. Some content may be distressing to readers. Support is available through the QR code below.

by Lerisse Smith

For many Australians, slavery is seen as a dark stain in the pages of history.

But the truth is far more confronting: Slavery never ended. Modern slavery is woven into the fabric of everyday life – hidden in homes, workplaces and communities across the country.

Yet there is hope and help.

Thanks to a groundbreaking initiative, The Salvation Army’s national Additional Referral Pathway (ARP) program is now on the frontline of support for those caught up in a nightmare of coercion, deception and control.

For years, the only official support option for victim-survivors of modern slavery was to go through the Australian Federal Police.

But for some, contact with law enforcement was a terrifying thought. For those trapped in modern slavery, seeking help was often thought to be impossible.

Frontline support

However, after two decades of relentless advocacy by non-for-profit organisations for an additional referral pathway to specifically assist victim-survivors, a turning point finally came: the launch of the ARP program in June last year.

“The program provides access to people who prefer not to go to police directly,” said Neenu Thomas, Program Manager of the ARP. “It’s a path shaped by personal choice, safety and the hope of rebuilding life on their own terms.”

Modern slavery can manifest in many ways and involves being forced to work under threat or harsh conditions with little or no pay, having no control over your job or personal life, or being made to repay a never-ending debt.

It also includes being tricked into work that is not as described, being moved or recruited through force or deception for exploitation, or being pressured into marriage, especially if underage.

Safety first

“The main aim of our work is that one person who we are able to help,” Neenu explained.

“We … make sure that they are in a safe place and feel comfortable before they can actually share their story. Sometimes, it is the first time they are sharing that with anybody.”

Support is confidential, respectful and non-judgmental.

The program will connect individuals with other relevant services, both within the Salvos and externally. Well-trained, trauma-informed case managers conduct an assessment and can also provide brokerage for those impacted by slavery in terms of emergency support, vouchers, food, accommodation, phone or other travel costs.

The program is led by the Salvos in partnership with five organisations: AntiSlavery Australia, Project Respect, the Australian Centre of Health and Human Rights, the Scarlet Alliance – Australian Sex Workers Association, and the Red Cross.

Slavery doesn’t always mean locked doors. Some victim-survivors might be living alone yet are trapped in exploitation for sex or labour.

When escape becomes urgent, the ARP team acts fast. From providing phones

to coordinating accommodation and transport, they help victims find safety.

“They will call us saying that I don’t have anywhere else to go, but I’m being exploited,” Neenu said. “So, we will coordinate that escape, because victimsurvivors can be entrapped in a residence.

“We are hoping that more and more awareness is generated across the country where we are able to help more people.”

For the full ARP story, go to salvosonline.org.au

IF YOU NEED HELP, CALL THE ARP ON 1800 000 277.

Scan here for the ARP program’s website and contact details.

Modern slavery

Modern slavery is a global challenge that persists in various forms, including in Australia.

It is an umbrella term that refers to relationships based on exploitation and coercion, including forced labour or marriage, human trafficking, debt bondage, child labour and deceptive recruiting for labour or services.

In Australia, modern slavery-like practices are more common in industries such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, domestic work and the sex industry, and among certain groups of people including migrant workers, refugees and other marginalised groups.

They include, but are not limited to, underpayment, unsafe working conditions, violence, and the confiscation of passports as a means of control.

Economic pressures, globalisation and a demand for cheap labour all contribute to the prevalence of modern slavery in Australia. As businesses and consumers, we play a part in these cycles of exploitation when we engage with exploitative suppliers or organisations and contribute to a demand for low-cost goods.

Australia has taken steps to address modern slavery through legislation, though it is still challenging to detect, prevent, and respond to, because of complex supply chains and weaknesses in regulation and enforcement.

TOP 5

AT-RISK IMPORTED PRODUCTS

In Australia, the top five at-risk imported products are electronics, fish, garments, solar panels and textiles, worth approximately US$17.4 billion a year.

WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

URGE ACTION FROM GOVERNMENTS

Governments can work together to continuously review and strengthen antislavery legislation to address emerging challenges and ensure effective and accessible enforcement mechanisms. This needs to include better provision of specialised, trauma-informed training for law enforcement, public officials and community leaders, to identify and respond to cases of modern slavery.

Enforcement is only one part of the process, and it is crucial that there are victimcentred pathways to timely, needs-based and unconditional support. This needs to be driven by the expertise of people with lived experience and centred on the victimsurvivor’s needs.

WE CAN IMPLEMENT CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WORKPLACES

There are already laws to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions and workers’ rights, but each workplace needs to take responsibility to ensure they are implemented and upheld.

Businesses and community groups can use their consumer power to encourage suppliers

to adopt ethical labour practices. This is sometimes called having ‘transparent supply chain practices’ and means identifying and addressing potential risks of modern slavery.

We can support and participate in local initiatives that aim to prevent and address exploitation. We can learn more about the indicators of modern slavery and keep a lookout by establishing community networks to share information about potential cases of exploitation.

WE CAN HAVE INFLUENCE IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES

The main way most of us can help is by making informed purchasing decisions to support companies that prioritise ethical, sustainable practices and supply chains, or that are dedicated to combating modern slavery.

We can also stay informed about signs of modern slavery and human trafficking, recognising that it is far more common in Australia than we would expect.

To read The Salvation Army’s Modern Slavery Statement, go to tinyurl. com/5f6bzzan

PEOPLE GLOBALLY ARE LIVING IN MODERN SLAVERY

The 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates that 50 million people globally are living in modern slavery. On any given day, there are an estimated 40,000 individuals living in modern slavery in Australia.

REPORTS OF MODERN

SLAVERY IN AUSTRALIA IN 2022-23

In 2022-23, there were about 340 reports of modern slavery in Australia. The five most reported crime types were forced marriage (90 reports), sexual servitude and exploitation (73 reports), forced labour (43 reports), trafficking in persons (38 reports) and exit trafficking (a person coercing, forcing or threatening another to leave Australia against their will (30 reports).

SPOT THE SIGNS OF SLAVERY

Driven by poverty, conflict, persecution –and the global demand for cheap goods, labour and sex – modern slavery and human trafficking are thriving worldwide. Even in Australia.

Victims often can’t ask for help. They rely on others – on us – to notice the signs and speak out.

Slavery is very much hidden in plain sight. And when you’re being controlled and exploited, you rely on other people to spot the signs.

Signs that you may be experiencing modern slavery include:

• Being forced to work or provide services (in any type of job or industry) under threat or coercion, with little or no pay or under harsh conditions.

• Not having control over the work you do, the services you provide or when you can stop working.

• Not having control over other parts of your life – for example, when and where you can eat, sleep or rest, or if you can freely leave where you’re staying.

• Being forced to work to pay off a debt, but the terms of the debt are unclear, or the work never ends.

• Being tricked or trapped into work where the nature of the job is not what you were told it would be.

• Being recruited or transported through force or deception, for the purpose of exploitation.

• Being pressured, forced or tricked into getting married against your will, or getting married when underage.

Spotting signs in others:

• When someone speaks for another person, pays for their travel and that person isn’t sure of their own address.

• A person may look frightened, dishevelled, malnourished or have untreated injuries.

• But the surest sign is, that if it doesn’t look right, then something could be wrong.

So, please don’t hesitate to speak out. Imagine the difference you could make.

To report human trafficking or modern slavery in Australia, contact the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on 131 237 or use their online form to make a confidential report.

In case of immediate danger, dial triple zero (000).

Salvos Sleepout makes a difference

Ninety-six people took part in this year’s Brisbane Salvos Sleepout, now in its fifth year, raising awareness and a record $70,634 for women experiencing homelessness in the local community.

Sleepout participants heard a powerful testimony from Marley, a woman with lived experience of homelessness and domestic violence who shared part of her journey, including her referral to The Salvation Army’s Brisbane City Women’s Homelessness Services, the freedom from fear and “dream” life she

now enjoys, and her work in advocacy and helping others impacted by homelessness.

Teams of Salvos and corporate volunteers set up the showground area for the event, and others assisted on and through the night.

“We hope this event will continue to grow,” said Simon Gregory, National Manager - Community Fundraising. “We have created a community of people who really care about the issue, and want to make a difference.”

“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

Isaiah chapter 58, verse 11

NewLivingTranslation

From addiction to advocacy

Peter’s full-circle journey by

Kirralee Nicolle

Twenty years ago, Peter Lane spent several months living in what is now The Salvation Army’s Towards Independence Sobering-Up Unit in Adelaide. At the time, Peter was homeless and facing addiction. Today, Peter is a qualified Support Worker with The Salvation Army. The Sobering-Up Unit is now his workplace.

When Peter began studying to become a Support Worker, it was The Salvation Army, and the Sobering-Up Unit specifically, that most drew him as a place to eventually work.

“They were here for me when I needed them; it didn’t matter if I was in the middle of active addiction. And I think people need that. I needed it,” he says.

In 2005, Peter was part of a pilot program for addressing addiction and homelessness, and over the years following, he found himself back at The

Salvation Army dealing with addiction-related illness.

After encountering The Salvation Army, Peter began studying at TAFE, initially pursuing a Certificate 3 and 4 in Community Service, followed by a Certificate 4 in Alcohol and Other Drugs, and is now working towards his Certificate 4 in Mental Health.

At 54, Peter is experiencing a new lease on life, with sobriety, a new career and a restored relationship with a very important person in his life. Both Peter’s parents are now deceased, and while he grieves that they cannot see the change in his life, his belief in their ongoing presence is strong.

But it hasn’t always been easy. Peter has now been sober for six years, but his life prior to that had been marked by recurring bouts of addiction.

Relationship restored

When Peter was born, his mother was hospitalised

for an extended period, so the primary caretaker in his early days was his older sister, who was in her early 20s at the time and pregnant with her first child. Peter says their relationship was very close as a result, but once he started experiencing addiction, that connection broke down.

“We were [estranged] for nearly 30 years, but everything’s back to normal and great now. That’s my closest thing to my parents. We see each other for lunch every week.”

For Peter, smoking marijuana as a young teenager led to taking methamphetamines as an 18-year-old. IV drug use came next. He believes a family history of addictive tendencies played a part in how he responded to drugs as a teenager.

Peter and his partner had three children before the relationship broke down, and Peter became a single dad. Later, Peter’s drug use

 Peter Lane outside his workplace, which used to be his home. Image: Kirralee Nicolle accelerated, so he returned the children to their mother. Soon after, he became homeless, an experience he described as “the worst”.

Long process

It was family that motivated Peter to eventually go ‘cold turkey’ with his addiction. He says that while The Salvation Army’s Towards Independence program gave him all the tools he needed to de-program his brain from drugs, it took him 13 years to fully complete the process.

Peter began to wonder about the impacts of addiction down the generations, and as his

children faced their own addiction journeys, he pondered whether his grandchildren would also know the pain of such a debilitating illness.

“That was enough for me. Overnight, I just stopped,” he says.

Peter says the greatest thing The Salvation Army offered him through the years of addiction was knowing that someone was there to help, whenever he needed.

“The main thing was having the support and having someone there when you wanted to reach out to someone,” he says.

Peter says the staff at the Sobering-Up Unit, including Team Leader Kirsten Pennington and Program Manager Tania Sharp, have always been really supportive of him, and that he is loving “every minute” of his work supporting clients and “learning heaps”.

Kirsten says having Peter come on board as a volunteer for his placement was a new initiative for the Unit, and having him around had been a “fantastic” opportunity for the team and clients.

“It’s been amazing to watch Peter just become so much more confident and enthusiastic,” she says.

Quiz

Ingredients

300g pasta; 2 tbsp oil; 2 cups corn kernels; 1 red capsicum, seeded, diced; 1 small onion, finely diced; 1 ½ cups zucchini, diced; 3 garlic cloves, crushed; salt and pepper to taste; 1/3 cup basil, shredded; 1 tbsp oil; ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Method

In a large saucepan, bring salted water to boil. Cook pasta as per packet directions.

Heat oil in large frying pan, on high. Add corn, capsicum and onion, cook for 4 minutes until onion is translucent. Add zucchini and garlic, reduce heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes until zucchini is just tender.

Reserve ¼ cup pasta cooking water, drain pasta. Add reserved water to vegetables and remove from heat. Add pasta and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in basil and 1 tbsp oil. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Pasta with corn, capsicum, zucchini and basil ☺ Believe in Good: Tips

“Too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

– Leo Buscaglia

Can you name the movie from the song?

1. A Whole New World

2. Hakuna Matata

3. Let it Go

4. Under the Sea

5. Be Our Guest

6. I’ll Make a Man Out of You

What Am I?

I have two hands but no arms.

I have a face but no eyes. I can wake you up but can’t talk.

I move forward but never backward.

Have a laugh

Why did the animator go to therapy?

What do you call an animated insect?

Why did Mickey go to outer space?

Why was Donald Duck always calm?

Why isn’t there a Cinderella basketball team? He needed to draw out his issues. A computer bug. To find Pluto. Because nothing could ruffle his feathers.

Because they keep running away from the ball.

Tum-Tum

On which page of this week’s Salvos Magazine is Tum-Tum hiding?

Answers

Tum-Tum: is hiding behind the sauce bottle on page 9.

�� Word search

Quiz:

Words are hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, forwards and backwards. Enjoy!

Bucatini

Cannelloni

Cappelletti

Conchiglie

Farfalle

Fettuccini

Flour

Fusilli

Gnocci

Italian

Linguine

Lasagna

Macaroni

Manicotti

Noodles

Orecchiette

Orzo

Pasta

Penne

Ravioli

Region

Rigatoni

Spaghetti

Water

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 19, verse 1 New International Version

“The Salvos welcomed me in with open arms – if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have made it through. The Salvation Army has become my life. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world to be able to help other people.” – Paula*

*Name changed to protect privacy

The Salvation Army walks alongside families across Australia who are in desperate need, many teetering on the edge of homelessness. Through tailored support services and community programs, the Salvos provides care when it’s needed most. This Christmas, you can be the hope for people like Paula, helping them rebuild their lives and move forward.