In an unprecedented ruling, a 52-year-old Victorian man has become the first person in the state convicted of exit trafficking after deceiving his wife into traveling abroad and abandoning her in Sudan for over a year without her children or passport. The heartbreaking case has sent shockwaves through the community and highlighted the insidious nature of this little-known form of domestic abuse.
A Carefully Orchestrated Deception
According to court documents, the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had meticulously planned his wife’s entrapment. In June 2014, unbeknownst to his spouse, he quietly withdrew her visa application, jeopardizing her ability to return to Australia. Months later, under the guise of a family holiday, he convinced her to accompany him and their two young children, both under the age of two, to Sudan.
Once in Sudan, the man callously abandoned his wife, taking their children and her passport back to Australia with him. The court heard that had the woman known the truth about her visa status, she never would have agreed to leave the country. Judge Frank Gucciardo admonished the man’s actions, stating, “You treated her as a chattel that could be simply discarded.”
16 Months of Anguish
Stranded in Sudan without her children or any means of returning home, the woman endured what she described as “the most devastating experience of my life.” In a heart-wrenching letter read to the court, she detailed the “immense physical pain and agony” caused by the abrupt separation from her children at such a tender age.
It wasn’t until the woman contacted the Australian embassy in Egypt that she learned the devastating truth – her visa had been cancelled. With the help of legal aid and migration support, the Department of Home Affairs finally issued her a temporary visa, allowing her to return to Australia after 16 agonizing months.
The Lasting Impact on Children
The court heard that the couple’s children, now reunited with their mother, have suffered “unimaginable” trauma due to their father’s actions. One child experiences severe separation anxiety, terrified that her mother will never return whenever she leaves. The man’s lawyer argued that the children were not direct victims of the offence, but Judge Gucciardo firmly rejected this notion, emphasizing the gravity of “depriving the children at this tender age.”
A Landmark Sentencing
In handing down his sentence, Judge Gucciardo acknowledged that while the man was well-educated and community-minded, his moral culpability was high, and he lacked remorse or insight into his offending. The judge noted that the chances of rehabilitation were good if the man developed an understanding of the harm he had caused.
The man was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with a non-parole period of three years and three months. This landmark case marks the first successful prosecution of exit trafficking in Victoria and sends a clear message that such insidious forms of domestic abuse will not be tolerated.
A Call for Awareness
As shocking as this case is, advocates warn that exit trafficking remains a largely hidden crime. Women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are particularly vulnerable, often facing language barriers, social isolation, and a lack of understanding of their rights.
“This case is just the tip of the iceberg,” warns a domestic violence support worker who asked to remain anonymous. “We need more education and resources to help women recognize the signs of exit trafficking and know where to turn for help.”
The Victorian government has pledged to continue its fight against all forms of domestic abuse, including exit trafficking. “No one should ever feel trapped or helpless in a relationship,” stated a spokesperson for the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence. “We will continue to work tirelessly to support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.”
As this groundbreaking case concludes, it serves as a chilling reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk within even the most seemingly ordinary relationships. For the brave survivor at the heart of this story, the road to healing may be long, but with her children by her side and the support of a community determined to end domestic abuse in all its forms, there is hope for a brighter future.
