Begged to work in their bikinis, asked to perform strip teases and assaulted in their sleep: Backpackers share their horror stories from fruit-picking farms in Australia where they work to extend their visas

 

  • Up to 20 backpackers allege they were sexually harassed by a QLD farmer
  • Some said they were asked to work in the farms in their bikinis and underwear 
  • One said the farmer constantly pressured her for sex and grabbed her breasts
  • Backpackers claim they were too scared to lose their visa to report it to police

Working in bikinis, being pressured for sex and asked to strip are just some of the horrific ordeals backpackers claim to have experienced while performing their mandatory farm work.

In explosive allegations, up to 20 workers claim they were victims of sexual abuse and harassment by the same farmer in the Tablelands in Far North Queensland.

The abuse dates from mid last year up until April 2020, according to the Cairns Post

But due to fears they won't have their farm work submitted to the government, which gains backpackers a second year living and working in Australia, the women have yet to come forward to police and officially report the farmer.

In Australia, backpackers are required to complete 88 days of regional work in order to apply for a second working holiday visa – unless they're sponsored by an employer, or go on a partnership visa.

Backpackers completing their mandatory farmwork in Australia claim they were sexually harassed and asked to work in their bikinis by one Queensland farmer (stock image)

One woman alleged the farmer requested she clean his sprinklers while wearing nothing but her bikini.

She said she had only worked there for one week but immediately felt very 'unsafe' due to his 'creepy' behaviour. 

'I had never heard that farmhands ever worked in bikinis in Australia and found this very inappropriate,' she told the newspaper.

The backpacker also claimed she was asked to perform sexual favours for the man.

The farmer in question has denied the allegations and said the work on his property was 'like every other place'. 

Another worker alleged the same farmer asked her to work in her underwear during her stay in May last year - along with other sexual requests.

'He tried multiple times to tell me I was staying the night there in his room with him,' she said.

'And (he) and his mates were sitting around the table drinking and trying to get me to strip and take off my clothes and dance for them, and were making sick jokes at me.'

Some of the backpackers claimed they were too scared to lose their visa to come forward and report the farmer (pictured, stock image of mandarin farm in NSW)

Some of the backpackers claimed they were too scared to lose their visa to come forward and report the farmer (pictured, stock image of mandarin farm in NSW)

The same backpacker alleged that the farmer grabbed her breasts while they were driving after she finished a day of work.

'He was extremely drunk; I was in the front seat and he was in the back and he reached from the back and grabbed my breasts,' she said.

The young woman also alleged that during a road trip to Cairns, she fell asleep only to wake up with another farmer's hands around her neck.

She alleges the man yelled at her 'f***king c**t' while she struggled to breathe.

Terrified and unaware of her surroundings, the woman refused to go to police, adding she didn't even know the name of the farm to report it.

Another worker said farmers repeatedly asked her to strip and dance for them (stock image)

Another worker said farmers repeatedly asked her to strip and dance for them (stock image)

A string of other women claimed to have similar experience while one resident said the farmer had a 'reputation' for inappropriate behaviour.

The local said there was a 'culture' of farmers exploiting backpackers.

He said he's even had several foreigners stay at his house after they fled abusive farms. 

Acting Inspector Greg Giles urged any backpackers experiencing the behaviour to come forward.

He said the workers would not have to stay in the area after making a complaint and 'highly recommended' coming forward. 

The farmer in question has denied the allegations and said his farm was 'like every other place' (stock image)

The farmer in question has denied the allegations and said his farm was 'like every other place' (stock image).


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