Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694500346314.pdf (Australia)
Case studies Case Study 1: Forced Marriage and Dowry Women with one and half year old son- dependent on perpetrator’s skilled visa.

She is a qualified professional from her country.

She is the only child of her parents and both her parents passed away when she was in her country.

Her relatives arranged her marriage with this man against her wish (forced marriage).

When initially she declined to marry him, her relatives threatened to break all the ties with her if she did not marry that man.
Client had to bow down to their wishes.

Then all her earning and savings were used to pay dowry to the man and in laws.

Client literally was not left with any money for her.

She was told that he will look after her.

When she came to Australia, he used all kinds of FV on her, knowing that no one will support her in Australia as well as their country.

Ongoing dowry demands were made by the husband irrespective the fact she already surrendered all her savings to him.
Her relatives have stopped responding to her calls as they do not want to have any contact with her.

Being a victim of forced marriage and dowry abuse, she is suffering.

Case Study 2: Arranged Marriage and Dowry Abuse A young woman in her early twenties had an arranged marriage (with her consent) and a lot of dowry was paid by her parents as perpetrator was an Australian citizen.

She joined him in Australia after getting spousal visa.
She discovered that her husband already had a de facto partner in Australia and he married her to satisfy dowry demands of his parents.

He sent her back forcefully saying that he does not want to have any relationship with her.

When she went back to her country, her in laws also disowned her and broke all the ties with her.

Her parents, out of shame sent client back to Australia to be with him.
Client struggled to apply for FVP as there was no evidence to prove genuine relationship and could not qualify to get FVP.

Case Study 3: Student Visa, Economic ABUSE A woman in late twenties had an arranged marriage in India.

His family arranged this marriage, that was based on a lie that he is a professional and earning good money.

Women’s parents did not make inquiries about him and his family and the marriage was organised in a rush.
A lot of dowry was paid at the time of wedding along with expenses for a lavish wedding.

The woman was a qualified professional and working with Govt in her country.

After the marriage when the family discovered about the lie, it was too late.

He was not working and she was made to earn and support the family.

The girl and her family could not take any action due to shame and stigma attached to a broken marriage.

Then he started forcing her to go to Australia on a student visa.
He could not apply for student visa on his own, so he forced her to leave the job and apply for a student visa.

Her parents paid for all the expenses for the visa and the tickets with a hope that this can save the marriage.

She was made to study, work and look after household work when she arrived in Australia.

Her husband was dependent on her student visa.

After arriving in Australia, he got used to a luxury life style and started making ongoing dowry demands for his expenses.
After the woman got in touch with FV services and learnt about her rights- she stood for herself and moved out of relationship.

Case Study 4: Student visa with complex Dowry issue Another woman on a student visa contacted our service.

She reported that her husband has gone back to their country to marry another girl.

When further assessment was done- she reported her husband was dependent on her visa.

She also disclosed that her parents gave big dowry by taking loan, as they could not afford it.
He made ongoing dowry demands and his family after the couple arrived in Australia.

When she declined to ask for dowry from her parents, he decided to marry another girl and get another dowry.

Although polygamy is illegal in their country, he and his family arranged another marriage.

Client’s family, with police intervention in India- stopped the marriage.
His visa was ultimately cancelled and he could not come back to Australia but now this woman cannot go back to India due to threats from him and his family.