Not provided : Trafficked Woman’s Agonising Struggle to Reunite with Children | Victoria

The former spouse of a Victorian man who was recently convicted of trafficking her overseas and leaving her stranded in Sudan without her passport has spoken out about the trauma and fear she continues to live with. The separation from her children, who were just two years and six months old at the time, was described as the most devastating experience of her life.

In a landmark case, the 52-year-old man was found guilty by a Victorian county court jury of exit trafficking, a federal offence where individuals are coerced, threatened, or tricked into leaving Australia against their will. Despite pleading not guilty, he now faces a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison.

During a plea hearing in the Melbourne county court, a victim impact statement from the man’s former wife was read out on behalf of the prosecution. She expressed the profound despair she felt when left stranded in Sudan, with her young children taken away from her. The pain of that moment, she said, still haunts her to this day.

The separation caused immense physical and emotional agony for the mother, who described the journey to reunite with her children as an agonising struggle. She highlighted the unimaginable suffering her children endured after being removed without her consent, with one child now experiencing severe separation anxiety.

Living in constant fear and moving from place to place, the woman expressed her worries about potential attacks or kidnapping attempts. Despite these challenges, she now has full custody of her two children.

Legal Proceedings and Background

The court heard that after an arranged marriage in Sudan in 2010, the woman moved to Australia on a partner visa in 2012. She gave birth to their first child in 2012 and the second two years later. However, in September 2014, during a family visit to Sudan, the man allegedly misled his wife into believing she had a valid visa to return to Australia, when in fact he had withdrawn his sponsorship for her visa months prior.

The Australian federal police charged the man in 2022, securing its first conviction for exit trafficking in 2021. This case sheds light on the hidden domestic violence crisis that vulnerable women can face, especially in situations involving coercion and manipulation.

Impact on Children and Family Dynamics

The defence barrister argued that the children were not victims of the offence, claiming that they did not have separation anxiety at the time. However, the prosecutor highlighted the mental health issues of the children as a direct result of the traumatic events that unfolded.

The woman’s struggles to reunite with her children and the ongoing emotional trauma she experiences serve as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of such crimes. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on seeking justice and support for the victims affected by this harrowing ordeal.

The man’s actions have not only caused immense pain and suffering to his former wife and children but have also raised awareness of the need to combat trafficking and exploitation in all its forms.