Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697633710910.pdf (Australia)
23 Chapter 3 The criminal law 3.1 This chapter examines the arguments for and against criminalising the practice of dowry in Australia, as distinct from dowry abuse, which as the previous chapter established, is already captured in existing law.

This chapter also examines the adequacy of existing federal criminal law provisions, and the existing extradition arrangements between Australia and the Republic of India.
Criminalising dowry The committee heard arguments both in favour of1 and against2 the 3.2 criminalisation of the practice of dowry in Australia.

Those in favour of criminalisation tended to argue that the practice of dowry has no place in Australia.

Those against criminalising the practice generally supported the cultural significance of dowry and suggested that existing criminal law is adequate to respond to dowry abuse.
3.3 The United Indian Association (UIA) was one of the organisations advocating for the criminalisation of dowry, stating that the practice of dowry in modern Australia 'is totally unacceptable and inappropriate'.3 Mrs Sumati Advani of the UIA elaborated on why the practice of dowry in Australia is problematic: In Australia, first of all we don't seem to recognise that dowry is practiced.

Secondly, because it is not criminalised, what happens is that the perpetrators actually get away with it.
There is no action taken, because very often the domestic violence is mental abuse, emotional abuse and blackmailing.

Very often it is not even picked up by people.

Most of the problems that we have seen, as mentioned before, are with temporary spouse visas.

These are people who are coming here on tourist visas, making false temporary spouse visas.
What is happening is that, from the time that they get married and come here, the parents are made to pay for the ticket, the visa, education, house deposits, car purchases—it goes on and on and on.4 Dr Manjula O'Connor also advocated for the criminalisation of dowry in 3.4 Australia, stating that women subject to dowry abuse in Australia suffer 'multiple 1 2 See, for example, Soroptimist International of Australia, Submission 26, p. 4; The Indian (Sub- Continent) Crisis & Support Agency (ICSA), Submission 50, p. 14; Dr Kym Jenkins, President, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2018, p. 8.
See, for example, Ms Uthra Ramachandran, Submission 28, p. 5; Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand and inTouch Multicultural Centre against Family Violence (GSANZ and inTouch), Submission 6, p. 26.

3 United Indian Association (UIA), Submission 8, p. 2.

4 Mrs Sumati Advani, Chair, Women's Steering Committee, and Founder, United Indian Associations Inc, Committee Hansard, 30 November 2018, p. 9.
24 layers of disadvantage'.5 Dr O'Connor also commented on what she considered to be the inappropriateness of this cultural practice: The young women and their parents have been hoodwinked by society into continuing the practice of dowry believing that it is their duty to give and the grooms have been groomed to believe that they are entitled to receive the bride’s family wealth.
Any brides parents not willing to give dowry are judged as too mean, too poor and not respect worthy by the socially conscious/greedy grooms .The brides have internalised this societal construct.
The process of criticism of not enough dowry gifts by husband and his mother should anger the bride, instead it makes her feel ashamed, embarrassed and she questions as to why her parents did not give more, as that would have spared her the humiliation of her family being judged as lower class than the groom and she not good enough for him.6 3.5 White Ribbon Australia expressed its support for Dr O’Connor's campaign for the criminalisation of dowry, and the outlawing dowry abuse.7 3.6 Many submitters and witnesses who opposed the criminalisation of dowry referred to the apparent inefficacy of the prohibition of dowry in India.
India's legislative response to the practice of dowry was criticised for several reasons, including that: • • • • 5 6 the law is poorly implemented and has not had any impact on or addressed dowry abuse, including acts of domestic or other violence arising from such demands;8 it criminalises both the givers and receivers of dowry, which makes it difficult for the families of wronged brides to bring a claim, or that it can be used to penalise women's families where they are pressured into accepting demands;9 some women in India want the practice of dowry to continue, as it represents a 'rightful inheritance' that they often rely on financially;10 the criminalisation of dowry gave rise to the practice of 'Stridhan', the Hindu term for women's property for gifts around marriage that remain in the Dr Manjula O'Connor, Submission 16, p. 6.
Dr O'Connor, Submission 16, p. 6 (emphasis omitted).

7 White Ribbon Australia, Submission 24, p. 1.

8 9 See, for example, Professor Supriya Singh, Submission 3, pp.

1–2; GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, p. 42; and Monash Family Violence Prevention Centre (MFVPC), the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre (MMIC) and Monash Gender, Peace and Security (GPS) (Monash University), Submission 15, p. 14.

See, for example, Ms Ramachandran, Submission 28, pp.

4–5; and Ms Muktesh Chibber, Submission 28, p. 2.


10 See, for example, Professor Singh, Submission 3, pp.
1–2; and Ms Ramachandran, Submission 28, p. 4. woman's control following her marriage, which can be used to circumvent prohibitions on dowry;11 and 25 • section 498A of the Indian Penal Code 1860 (Penal Code) has been abused to accuse givers and receivers of dowry unfairly, which has given rise to men being penalised with only allegations of dowry abuse.12 It was with reference to criticisms such as these that many submitters and 3.7 witnesses advocated against the criminalisation of dowry in Australia.
3.8 inTouch For example, Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand and Multicultural Centre against Family Violence (GSANZ and inTouch) informed the committee of research findings which demonstrate that the focus on prevention of dowry-related violence, as in India, has 'proved to be inadequate for the task of dealing with wider domestic violence'.13 3.9 Instead of criminalising dowry, GSANZ and InTouch advocated for 'embedding dowry abuse into a broader framework of abuse and violence', and eliminating barriers to women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds accessing appropriate services.14 3.10 In her submission, Professor Supriya Singh argued that '[c]riminalising particular practices in one culture ignores the complexity of family violence in that culture as well as in other cultures', and advocated instead for the criminalisation of 'coercive control'.15 Professor Singh argued that dowry abuse would be caught by the criminalisation of coercive control, 'as well as all dimensions of family violence, particularly emotional, financial and sexual abuse'.16 Similarly, Harmony Alliance argued against criminalising the practice of 3.11 dowry, stating that: …such a ban would risk moving the practice underground and could deter victims of dowry abuse from seeking help for fear that they or their family would be punished for paying dowry.17 3.12 This was also reflected in evidence from Associate Professor Marie Segrave of Monash University, who considered that the actual or symbolic criminalisation of cultural practices 'may have the effect of creating an additional barrier of fear for 11 See, for example, GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, p. 42.
12 See, for example, Ms Chibber, Submission 28, p. 2.

This inquiry has also received a number of submissions from men, some of who are Australian citizens or residents, who claim that they have been unfairly accused of dowry abuse, which has led to them being unable to leave India following accusations, or that they have not been able to see their children.

13 GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, pp.

26–27.

14 GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, p. 27.

15 Professor Singh, Submission 3, p. 1.


16 Professor Singh, Submission 3, p. 1.

17 Harmony Alliance, Submission 18, p. 2.
26 women seeking to report family violence'.18 Rather than the introduction of further legislation, Associate Professor Segrave stated that '[t]he key priority should be the norm and expectation of gendered violence being an unacceptable part of Australian life'.19 3.13 In her submission, Ms Uthra Ramachandran referred to her research findings that 'existing criminal laws were an adequate form of redress for the worst forms of offending': Violence and mental abuse is covered by assault and causing injury provisions, and coercion is largely covered by extortion and blackmail offences.
Stalking provisions may possibly be relevant with respect to causing suicidal ideation.

The recent changes to the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) (FVPA) to include 'dowry coercion' as an illustration of 'economic abuse' is a useful educative inclusion to the Act.
Indian commentators have similarly suggested that special anti-dowry laws be abandoned in favour of criminal laws such as extortion as an FVPA equivalent has now been enacted in India giving women some protection from domestic violence.20 Reverse dowry abuse The committee received evidence that '[n]umerous men within the Indian 3.14 community have…been falsely accused of dowry abuse by their former wives, or are themselves victims of "reverse dowry" abuse'.21 3.15 Turbans4Australia defined 'reverse dowry' abuse as follows: Reverse dowry occurs when men rather than women are expected to pay their spouse’s family upon marriage.
Demands for reverse dowry are increasing partly because of the endemic practice of female infanticide.

Although sex-selective abortion is illegal in India, it is still commonly practiced due to the preference for sons.

This had created a skewed sex ratio in the Indian population, where there is a surplus of men and a deficit of women in the 'marriage market'.
As a result, women and their families are sometimes in a position to demand money from their husbands upon marriage.22 Turbans4Australia explained to the committee how false dowry accusations 3.16 may manifest: 18 Associate Professor Marie Segrave, Associate Professor, Criminology; Researcher, Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre; Deputy Director and Lead of Trafficking and Slavery Impact, Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, Monash University, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2018, p. 12.
19 Associate Professor Segrave, Monash University, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2018, p. 12 20 Ms Ramachandran, Submission 28, p. 5 (citations omitted).

21 Turbans4Australia, Submission 81, p. 1.

22 Turbans4Australia, Submission 81, p. 1.

27 In India, women do not need to provide proof supporting their claims of dowry abuse; they simply need to provide a statement to police, which prompts an investigation.
In some cases, women accuse not only their husbands but also their husband's relatives, including minors.

In perhaps the most extreme case, a two-month-old baby was arrested.

As dowry abuse is a non-bailable [sic] offence, the accused can be held in custody for months until their court hearing takes place.

Due to the backlog of court cases in India, legal proceedings can last for years.
Since anti-dowry laws have become active in Victoria, some men have been tried in both India and Australia for two court proceedings simultaneously is a massive financial burden.23 the same crime.
Paying for 3.17 A submitter who wished to remain anonymous criticised the criminalisation of dowry in India, which 'has let to harassment of millions of innocent husbands and their families', such that section 498A of the Penal Code is recognised 'as a "legal tool for extortion"'.24 Indeed, another submitter whose name was withheld opposed 3.18 the criminalisation of dowry in Australia and opined that this section of the Penal Code is 'the most misused and reviled law that has caused alarmingly high rates of false complaints, extortion, abuse of innocent families and male suicides in India'.25 Slavery and slavery-like practices 3.19 A number of submitters and witnesses commented on the relationship between dowry abuse, slavery and slavery-like practices.
3.20 For example, Professor Jennifer Burn of Anti-Slavery Australia (ASA) referred the committee to the case R v Tang,26 where former Chief Justice Gleeson made comments in respect to slavery which Professor Burn submitted 'can be extrapolated into the context of family violence and dowry abuse'.27 3.21 the case of In his judgment, the former Chief Justice referred Prosecutor v Kunarac,28 before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, which concerned 'enslavement'.
In that case, the Trial Chamber identified the following factors to be taken into account in respect of this offence: to …control of movement, control of physical environment, psychological control, measures taken to prevent or deter escape, force, threat of force or 23 Turbans4Australia, Submission 81, p. 2.

24 Name Withheld, Submission 17, p. 1.

25 Name Withheld, Submission 30, p. 1.

26 R v Tang (2008) 237 CLR 1.


27 Professor Jennifer Burn, Director, Anti-Slavery Australia (ASA), Committee Hansard, 30 November 2018, p. 28.

28 Case No IT-96–23-T & IT-96–23/1-T, 22 February 2001.
28 coercion, duration, assertion of exclusivity, subjection to cruel treatment and abuse, control of sexuality and forced labour.29 3.22 Professor Burn opined that: [The Chief Justice] said, importantly for us, in reviewing dowry abuse that the capacity of a person to treat a complainant as a commodity, as an object of sale and purchase, may be a powerful indicator that there is a case of slavery rather than exploitation of labour.30 In its submission, ASA provided a case study example of the relationship 3.23 between dowry abuse and exploitation: Meera, a woman in her 20s from an Asian nation came to Australia following an arranged marriage, in her country of origin, to an Australian citizen.
When in Australia, Meera faced physical, sexual and verbal abuse.

Meera found a job in Australia but her husband kept all her wages.

Meera’s husband said that nothing could happen to him as he was a citizen and came from a rich family with connections, whilst she was from a poor family.

Meera’s husband said that he had asked her family for additional dowry but they had not provided it.
Meera’s family did not want her to return home because they had already paid a large dowry and returning would bring shame upon her family.31 3.24 ASA also referred to a small-scale study of abandoned brides in India's northern states which 'found that domestic violence, financial and psychological abuse were intrinsically linked to dowry-related issues'.32 ASA suggested that this research 'highlights the link between dowry abuse, family violence, forced marriage and exploitation'.33 3.25 ASA ultimately recommended that the Australian government commission research in order to: …identify and document dowry abuse in the Australian context and the connection between dowry abuse, other forms of family violence and the more extreme forms of exploitation as set out in divisions 270 and 271 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).34 3.26 GSANZ and inTouch also discussed the intersection between dowry abuse, slavery and slavery-like practices, informing the committee that, in their experience, 29 R v Tang (2008) 237 CLR 1 [28], citing: Prosecutor v Kunarac Case No IT-96–23-T & IT-96– 23/1-T, 22 February 2001 at 194 [543].
30 Professor Bun, ASA, Committee Hansard, 30 November 2018, p. 28.

31 ASA, Submission 47, p. 13.

32 ASA, Submission 47, p. 15, citing: Sundari Anitha, Anupama Roy, and Harshita Yalamarty, ‘Gender, Migration, and Exclusionary Citizenship Regimes: Conceptualizing Transnational Abandonment of Wives as a Form of Violence Against Women’ 24(7) Violence Against Women p. 747.

33 ASA, Submission 47, p. 16.

34 ASA, Submission 47, p. 16.


29 …there are women from CALD backgrounds experiencing both sexual servitude and domestic servitude within their marital relationships.

Domestic and family violence services regularly hear accounts from women who are in marriages where they are not free to cease providing labour either in the home or commercial businesses.
They are also frequently engaging in non-consensual sexual acts with their spouse and experiencing regular threats and physical violence which maintains a pattern of control.35 3.27 GSANZ and inTouch also observed the vulnerability of women who migrate for and through marriage—these women 'are dependent on their spouses to meet basic needs, lack the language skills to engage in Australian society, and have either limited or no information about their rights'.36 3.28 GSANZ and InTouch suggested that: …reform regarding dowry abuse in Australia must consider the extent to which other offences such as human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude interface with situations that occur within a domestic/familial context.37 3.29 The intersection between dowry abuse and slavery-like practices was also examined by Slavery Links Australia (Slavery Links), which recommended that a provision be made in the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code) for 'servile marriage' as distinct from the 'event' of forced marriage.
It explained that servile marriage: …is an ongoing situation where power relations in a marriage degrade to the extent that the day to day experiences of one partner amounts to servitude which that partner for cultural reasons cannot escape.38 Slavery Links also recommended that consideration be given to how the 3.30 Australian construct of 'exploitation' at section 271.1A of the Criminal Code 'can be applied with regard to servile marriage'.39 The Attorney-General's Department (AGD) also identified the intersection 3.31 between dowry, slavery and slavery-like practices: Australia has comprehensively criminalised serious forms of exploitation, including human trafficking, slavery, and slavery-like practices.
If a person were to be inherited, sold, or transferred into marriage for payment, this may constitute chattel slavery, which is a criminal offence under the Commonwealth Criminal Code and is punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment.

35 GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, p. 21.

36 GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, p. 21.

37 GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, p. 22.

38 Slavery Links Australia (Slavery Links), Submission 74, p. 4.

39 Slavery Links, Submission 74, p. 7.


30 In addition, if a dowry was used as a means to coerce a person into marriage without their full and free consent, this may constitute a forced marriage, which is also a criminal offence under the Commonwealth Criminal Code and is punishable by up to nine years imprisonment.40 Forced marriage The committee was presented with evidence examining the confirmed and 3.32 potential links between dowry, dowry abuse and forced and/or arranged marriages.
3.33 As noted by the AGD, the legal requirements for a valid marriage are set out in the Marriage Act 1961.41 Although this Act does not specifically refer to the practice of dowry, or other such cultural practices, the Act 'does stipulate that a marriage will be considered void if the consent of either party was obtained by duress or fraud'.42 3.34 GSANZ and inTouch provided an explanation of the legal difference between a forced and an arranged marriage—the primary distinguishing feature is consent: A forced marriage is considered to be a marriage that is entered into without giving free and full consent.
An arranged marriage is a practice whereby parties to the marriage may be introduced by others (e.g.

their parents), but ultimately consent to the marriage takes place.

In practice, there can often be a blurred line between an arranged and a forced marriage.

Many individuals from diverse communities are raised with the understanding that their marriage would be arranged.
Many experience subtle and covert pressure to comply with the arrangement.43 3.35 GSANZ and InTouch noted that, in their experience, 'forced marriages are often characterised by abuse and violence…and dowry expectations, abuse or demands form part of this experience of violence'.44 3.36 However, safe steps Family Violence Response Centre also observed that, through their experience with clients, dowry abuse occurs in love marriages, arranged marriages and forced marriages.45 It was also observed that '[m]ost forced marriages have some kind of monetary exchange, whether it is a dowry or not.
It is often arranged overseas before they come to Australia'.46 3.37 ASA discussed the pressure on women in forced marriages, suggesting that women may feel that they cannot leave an abusive relationship or forced marriage because of the excessive amount that the woman's family has spent on dowry: 40 Attorney-General's Department (AGD), Submission 13, p. 2.

41 AGD, Submission 13, p. 2.

42 AGD, Submission 13, p. 2.

43 GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, p. 35 (citations omitted).
44 GSANZ and inTouch, Submission 6, p. 36.

45 46 safe steps Family Violence Response Centre (safe steps), Submission 14, p. 6. safe steps, Submission 14, p. 6.
31 This widely held perception is centered on the deeply entrenched cultural belief which has been socially practiced for decades that women from poor backgrounds are required to fulfil their family’s financial constraints through marrying a wealthier suitor.47 3.38 ASA submitted that this perception has been affirmed by research conducted on child, early and forced marriage in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The report by Free the Slaves highlighted that 'marriage by sale' is one of the types of forced marriages observed in this context, 'where the promise of dowry motivates parents to force a marriage' such that it becomes 'the key coercive mechanism that links a dowry to forced marriage'.48 3.39 The Indian (Sub-Continent) Crisis & Support Agency (ICSA) submitted that detecting dowry in forced marriages is difficult due to the elements of consent and social norms.49 The ICSA identified two issues arising from their case management: a) forced marriages are to acquire a visa to Australia, a victim can be forced into several marriages over a number of years, with dowry used as a form of payment.
b) forced marriages are the means of laundering money through the dowry practice.

This can include very elaborate weddings in families with ostensibly no other real wealth.50 Extradition laws 3.40 The issue of extradition, specifically the relationship between Australia and India, was raised as an issue of concern by a number of submitters and witnesses and a means by which to respond to transnational dowry abuse.
The Extradition (India) Regulations 2010 3.41 the Extradition Treaty between Australia and the Republic of India (2008).
The treaty provides that Australia and India have agreed: incorporates into law …to extradite to the other, in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty, any persons who are wanted for trial, or the imposition or enforcement of a sentence, in the Requesting State for an extraditable offence.51 3.42 An 'extraditable offence' is described as: …offences, however described, which are punishable under the laws of both Contracting States by imprisonment for a maximum period of at least one year or by a more severe penalty.
Where the request for extradition 47 ASA, Submission 47, p. 14.

48 ASA, Submission 47, p. 14 (citations omitted), citing: Free the Slaves Submission to the Women Human Rights and Gender Section, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Call for submission on child, early and forced marriage, 13 December 2013, p. 2.

ISCA, Submission 50, p. 7.

ICSA, Submission 50, p. 7.

49 50 51 Extradition (India) Regulations 2010, art.

1.
32 relates to a person convicted of such an offence who is wanted for the enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment, extradition shall be granted only if a period of at least six months of such penalty remains to be served.52 3.43 It is possible to extradite an offender to a Requesting State even when the offence has been committed outside the territory of this requesting state, provided that: …the law of the Requested State provides for the punishment of an offence committed outside its territory in similar circumstances.
Where the law of the Requested State does not so provide the Requested State may, in its discretion, grant extradition.53 The treaty also covers issues such as composite offences, grounds of refusal, 3.44 and extradition of nationals.54 3.45 about extradition for the offence of dowry on a government website: The Indian Ministry of External Affairs includes the following information Some of the countries with which India has extradition treaties in force, have declined extradition requests for fugitive criminals charged with offences under Section 498-A on the plea that conduct categorized as offence under Section 498-A (which involves meting out harassment to a woman, where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such demand), on the plea that such offence has no equivalent in their jurisprudence, thereby failing the dual criminality requirement, an essential ingredient in bilateral extradition treaties.
If, however, the specific underlying activities of the offence in question constitute activities that are criminal offences under the law of the foreign country concerned, it is possible that the qualifications of dual criminality would be met.

Therefore, among potential offences that could be considered extraditable are assault, murder, and fraud showing criminal intent.
Charges relating to such offences should be specifically brought against the accused by the concerned law enforcement agencies and charged under the appropriate provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

The request should not seek extradition based primarily on violation of Section 498-A.

The request would also have to fully describe evidence showing the commission of specific activities perpetrated by the offender that led to charges under the Indian Penal Code.55 52 Extradition (India) Regulations 2010, art.
2.1.

53 Extradition (India) Regulations 2010, art.

2.4 (emphasis added).

54 Extradition (India) Regulations 2010, arts 3–5.

55 Ministry of External Affairs, Guidelines for indian law enforcement agencies - For extradition of fugitives from abroad, January 2016, https://www.mea.gov.in/extraditionguidelinesabroad.htm (accessed 7 January 2019).

33 3.46 Despite the existence of this treaty since 2010, it appears that offenders are not being extradited back to India for dowry-related offences.
Evidence received by the committee suggested that this could be due to the lack of enforcement of the extradition treaty by India.56 3.47 In its submission, the UIA stated that '[m]ost of the offenders often do not return to India and are often out of the reach of the Indian courts where the cases are lodged', and suggested that '[e]xtradition treaties must be entered into to enable the offenders to face the courts in India'.57 The committee was informed that India's Ministry of External Affairs has 3.48 taken steps to introduce the offence of dowry harassment in its extradition treaties such that alleged offenders can be extradited to India from countries where the practice of dowry is not considered an offence.58 Committee view 3.49 The committee considers that the practice of dowry is generally undesirable in modern Australia.
This is because it risks perpetuating a culture of ownership or control of women and runs against the cause of equality, and as dowry extortion has been identified as a direct cause of family violence, murders and suicides in Australia.

The committee accepts, however, the reasoning presented that a narrow 3.50 approach of simply criminalising particular practices, such as dowry, may be counter-productive as it ignores the complexity of family violence in certain cultures.
The committee is also concerned that criminalisation of the practice of dowry may have the unintended result of driving this pernicious cultural practice underground, further isolating CALD women and causing greater harm.

Criminalising or seeking to ban the practice of dowry would also complicate the task of making beneficial changes to reduce the impact of dowry abuse in areas such as family law property settlements and the migration system.
In addition, there may be legitimate versions of property transfer that operate in different cultural contexts.

A common example might be parents making gifts to children upon marriage, noting that these gifts belong to the couple and not to 'in-laws' or broader family interests.
3.51 The committee is also mindful that the criminalisation of dowry in India does not appear to have been particularly effective in preventing dowry abuse, and that the Indian law has been the subject of misuse and extensive criticism.

The committee acknowledges the overwhelming evidence that women are the major victims of dowry abuse.
In doing so, the committee considers that there is no benefit for society in creating a system that fosters false and vexatious complaints—often against men— when marriages break down as appears to be the case under the current Indian law.

56 Dr O'Connor, Executive Director, Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2018, p. 4.

57 UIA, Submission 8, p. 4.

58 Dr O'Connor, Submission 16, Attachment 1.


See also, Mrs Sunila Kotwal, Manager, Diversity and Inclusion, White Ribbon Australia, Committee Hansard, 30 November 2019, p. 33.

34 3.52 As the following chapters will examine, the committee considers that there are more effective ways of preventing dowry abuse than merely criminalising the practice of dowry.
3.53 For example, the committee is persuaded by arguments that there exists a nexus between dowry abuse and existing offences against the person under the Criminal Code.

Therefore, the committee considers that it necessary to identify and document dowry abuse in the Australian context as well as the connection between dowry abuse, other forms of family violence and those more extreme forms of exploitation as set out in the Criminal Code.
Recommendations relevant to data collection and the Criminal Code appear in chapter 6.

3.54 The committee also acknowledges the concerns with respect to extradition of alleged perpetrators of dowry abuse from India to Australia, or vice versa.

The committee considers the existing treaty between Australia and India to be adequate to extradite people for federal, state or territory offences.
Such offences would include crimes relating to slavery and slavery-like offences in the Criminal Code, and family and domestic violence offences in each state and territory.