A father has been jailed after attempting to marry off his teenage children without their consent.
On Friday, the 51-year-old was sentenced in Sydney’s Downing Center District Court to three years and four months in prison for attempting to orchestrate separate forced marriages for boys aged 15 and 17.
Police said the brothers immigrated to Australia with their father in 2021 and quickly learned that their father was “actively” trying to arrange their respective marriages, “against their wishes.”
The brothers weren’t sure who they would marry or even when the weddings would take place. Police said they now had support from an organization that works with children and young people affected by forced marriage.
After his escape, Australian Federal Police officers searched the father’s home and confiscated mobile phones showing attempts to arrange the marriages, “including messages about wedding planning.”
AFP Sergeant Chantal Pravaz said the prosecution would not have been possible without the courage and bravery of the victims in coming forward.
“The victims placed their trust in the AFP and their candor helped our investigation,” he said.
AFP Commander Kate Ferry said despite the crime often going unreported, Australia is not immune to human trafficking.
Australian Federal Police Commander Kate Ferry said Australia was not immune to human trafficking.
“There are usually two types of forced marriages,” he said.
‘One is when unwilling participants are threatened, tricked or forced into marriage. The other is when someone cannot legally consent to marriage due to their age.
“This type of crime typically involves perpetrators targeting younger, more vulnerable family members.”
The family emigrated to Australia in 2021 and the brothers, aged 15 and 17, quickly learned that their father was trying to arrange their marriages against their wishes (file image)
Although only a small number of people often report human trafficking, AFP data shows that trafficking is increasing.
In the last financial year, the AFP received 382 reports of human trafficking, of which 91 were related to accusations of forced marriage.
Comparatively, they received 340 reports the previous year.
It is the second case in which forced marriage charges have been successfully prosecuted after a Victorian court found mother Sakina Muhammad Jan, 48, guilty in July.