A man in Victoria has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for tricking his wife into traveling to Sudan before taking their children and her passport back to Australia. This is the first time someone in Victoria has been convicted of exit trafficking, where someone is coerced or tricked into leaving Australia against their will.
During the county court trial, the 52-year-old man denied deceiving his wife, who was left stranded in Sudan for 16 months. The judge, Frank Gucciardo, noted that the man’s actions required planning and that he treated his wife as if she were disposable.
The man must serve at least three years and three months in jail before being eligible for parole. He intentionally misled his wife about her visa status, leading her to believe she could return to Australia with him after their trip to Sudan in 2014.
The man left Sudan with their two young children, leaving his wife stranded. The judge emphasized the harm caused by separating the children from their mother at such a young age.
After being abandoned in Sudan, the woman sought help from the Australian embassy and eventually received a temporary visa to return to Australia in 2016. The man, described as well educated and community-minded, showed little remorse or insight into his actions.
During a pre-sentencing hearing, the man’s former wife described the experience as devastating, especially for their children who suffered greatly from the separation. The man’s barrister argued that the children were not victims of the offense, but the impact on them was significant.
The couple had been married in Sudan in 2010, and the woman moved to Australia on a partner visa in 2012. The Australian federal police charged the man in 2022 for his actions.
