News & Insights
Earlier this year, I was approached to act as a pro bono solicitor for Maya*.
Maya had been tricked by her husband into leaving Australia for what she believed would be a short family visit to their home country. Once she had departed, he intended to leave her there and demanded that she hand over their infant child to his family. Their infant child was born in Australia, and is an Australian citizen.
Maya’s husband told her wanted her to “learn to be a good wife”.
Maya found herself stranded offshore and with no visa to return to Australia. Her husband had falsely assured her that he had arranged a visa that allowed her to travel in and out of Australia lawfully. In reality, no visa application had ever been made. Once she left Australia, her bridging visa ended and she had no visa to return, in spite of having lodged an onshore visa application.
Fortunately, earlier this week, we were able to assist Maya in obtaining her permanent residency whilst offshore to allow her to return to Australia.
If this story sounds familiar, it is because over two years ago, I spoke to The Guardian about this same issue. We are seeing a rise in exit trafficking reports. However, many go unprosecuted and unresolved even though it is a federal crime to exit traffic a person to leave Australia.
Sadly, Maya’s experience is not unique.
MSM Legal is proud to assist clients like Maya and to play a small part in assisting victim-survivors to return to Australia.
We believe visa holders who are victims of trafficking should have access to faster, fairer immigration pathways. We want to see perpetrators of exit trafficking held accountable. MSM Legal will continue to support and advocate for systemic change within the Immigration system.
*Maya is not her real name. Her name and information have been changed to protect her safety. Maya’s story is a true but de-identified story.
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