Australian Women Trafficked by Husbands on False Holiday Promises

Women from Australia are being deceived by their husbands into traveling overseas on what they believe are family holidays, only to have their passports confiscated and be abandoned, potentially to become indentured laborers for their in-laws. This concerning trend, known as exit trafficking, has prompted warnings from women's safety advocates and an increase in investigations by law enforcement.

In a recent two-day period, two men were charged with separate exit trafficking offenses. One man, Muhammad Bilal Khan, 35, from Sydney, was charged after allegedly persuading his wife to travel to Pakistan for a holiday earlier this year, subsequently withholding her passport and abandoning her there. The following day, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced charges against another Pakistani national in Melbourne who allegedly attempted to force a woman and her two young children to leave Australia in June, reportedly through threats.

Yasmin Khan, head of the Bangle Foundation, a volunteer organization supporting South Asian women experiencing domestic abuse, stated that such allegations are frequent. She described instances where women are sent back to their home countries to serve as caretakers for elderly in-laws. "We've got a lady in India at the moment where they went to pilgrimage and on the way back was told to call in and see their parents. And now she's stuck there and she can't get home - and he's back in Sydney enjoying life," Ms. Khan told the Daily Mail. Another case involved a woman with four children whose husband was allegedly trying to send her overseas to live with his parents, leaving her without the means to support herself or her children due to language barriers, lack of driving ability, and no access to funds.

While Ms. Khan emphasized that exit trafficking can affect individuals of any background, the Bangle Foundation has repeatedly encountered cases involving Pakistani and Indian women. She attributed this to cultural norms in South Asia that can perpetuate the expectation of female submission, even among those with Western education. "It's the culture, not the religion. In south Asia, there's a mixture of Sikh, Islam and Hindu religions, and a lot of that Hindu influence is still around, these old entrenched customs," she explained. Ms. Khan also noted that exit trafficking can be a "last resort" for some men facing marital breakdown, particularly if the wife might seek a financial settlement.

The AFP reported a significant increase in human trafficking investigations, with 420 reports in the 2024-2025 financial year. Of these, 75 were related to exit trafficking, a substantial rise from 35 in the previous year. A concerning 64 percent of these allegations involved a family member or intimate partner, and 24 cases included victims under 18. An AFP spokesperson commented, "We believe the increase in reports is just the tip of the iceberg and shows that more Australians are attuned to the indicators of human trafficking and are comfortable reporting to the authorities."

Lina Garcia Daza, who directs the Australian Red Cross’ Support for Trafficked People Program, reported a 140 percent increase in exit trafficking referrals in 2024. Her program has assisted individuals trafficked to various regions, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and West Africa, often in situations involving false marriages, domestic violence, or coercive control.

To mitigate risks, Ms. Khan advises women who fear they may be victims of exit trafficking to always carry their passports and those of their children, and to keep copies. The Australian Red Cross suggests identifying contact information for Australian consulates and embassies before traveling, as victims may lose access to communication methods once overseas. They also highlight the critical role of referral pathways for victims seeking help.

Signs of potential exit trafficking can be subtle, particularly within intimate relationships. These may include traveling without access to personal identification or return tickets, being unable to communicate freely, a lack of clarity about travel plans, or exhibiting signs of fear or distress. The Australian Red Cross offers support, including financial aid, accommodation, and referrals for legal, migration, and medical assistance to victims of modern slavery. For those in Australia, the AFP can be contacted at 131 237. Australians overseas needing urgent consular assistance can call +61 2 6261 3305.