Stranded Overseas: Women and Children Trapped in Australia's Exit Trafficking Dilemma

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Key Points

Exit trafficking involves sending a person overseas with a plan to prevent their return to Australia.
Despite being Australian citizens, Fatima and her children became stranded overseas due to such circumstances.
According to the Australian Federal Police, cases of partners being prevented from returning are on the rise.

This article contains distressing content.

Fatima (not real name) and her Australian-born children became stranded overseas after her former husband allegedly refused to provide consent for renewing their children’s passports.

“I can’t believe all this happened to me … He left us in Pakistan and refused to allow the renewal of my children’s passports,” she told SBS Urdu.

“When I sought help from the Australian High Commission, I did not receive appropriate assistance, which caused severe mental anguish and distress for me and my children.”

Domestic violence groups describe this as a form of exit trafficking, where perpetrators prevent victims from returning to Australia.

Such cases have increased recently, and victims require support to seek assistance.

Fatima, who was raised and married in Australia, travelled to Pakistan with her children to visit her in-laws.

Following two years of alleged mental and physical abuse, she ended the relationship and left her former husband’s family home, but remained stranded in Pakistan for nearly three years after the divorce.

“While my husband returned to Australia, we were stranded, as the father of the children refused consent to renew their expired Australian passports,” she said.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) reports a 17 per cent rise in exit trafficking cases from 2022–23 to 2023–24, with nearly a quarter of all human trafficking complaints in the past two years linked to it.

What is exit trafficking?

Exit trafficking involves sending someone overseas under the false promise of return, while the offender deliberately prevents their return.

AFP Commander of Human Exploitation, Helen Schneider, says the AFP treats exit trafficking as a serious crime and remains committed to tackling it.

AFP Commander of Human Exploitation, Helen Schneider, said the AFP treats exit trafficking as a serious crime and remains committed to tackling it. Credit: SBS Urdu

AFP Commander of Human Exploitation, Helen Schneider, said that although many cases go unreported, the AFP treats exit trafficking as a serious crime and continues working to support victims and bring offenders to justice.

The AFP combats human trafficking with partners through a victim-focused approach, emphasising prevention, detection, disruption and prosecution.

Helen Schneider, AFP Commander of Human Exploitation

Exit trafficking involves taking someone overseas and then preventing their return.

Fatima said that after becoming stranded in Pakistan with her children, she contacted the Australian High Commission, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and other authorities but received no help.

Additionally, she said she received threats from her husband’s family.

I lived in fear for two years with my children, but despite contacting every authority, there was no real support from the Australian system while we were stranded.

Fatima

A DFAT spokesperson told SBS Urdu that the department does not comment on individual cases; however, it works with other agencies to support victims, with the level of assistance varying depending on each case and being limited by local laws and processes.

“The type and extent of consular assistance provided depend on the specific circumstances of each case and location,” the spokesperson said.

“DFAT works proactively with other agencies in cases where individuals are at risk of forced marriage or modern slavery and are seeking consular support. The local legal framework may also limit DFAT’s ability to assist victims and survivors overseas.”

Experts suggest that exit trafficking is closely connected to various forms of domestic abuse.

The Queensland-based Bangle Foundation has been supporting victims of domestic violence for over a decade, particularly women from South Asian backgrounds.

The foundation’s director, Yasmin Khan, told SBS Urdu that exit trafficking often arises from domestic or family violence.

Exit trafficking often stems from domestic violence, with women deceived and stranded overseas without support, according to Bangle Foundation Director Yasmin Khan. Credit: Supplied by Yasmin Khan

“I have plenty of cases where victims, mostly women, are deceived into travelling overseas and then abandoned without documents or financial support, leaving them unable to return to Australia,” she said.

Exit trafficking often starts with domestic violence; women must speak up at the early signs before it becomes too late, and they’re left stranded.

Yasmin Khan, Head of The Bangles Foundation

Advocates and support groups say many cases remain unreported due to cultural and systemic barriers.

According to Khan, limited culturally appropriate official support makes it harder for those stranded overseas to get help.

Schneider highlighted that under Australian law, exit trafficking is a serious crime.

“When credible information is received, victims are assisted, and the police actively pursue and arrest the perpetrators,” she said.

During her stay in Pakistan, Fatima learned that many other women face similar situations but lack the courage or resources to seek assistance.

SBS Urdu was not able to independently verify Fatima’s account, and no legal proceedings have been initiated or charges brought against the alleged perpetrator, who was unreachable.

Khan, however, said she has heard many similar stories.

She said she knew of several cases where women or families were still stranded overseas while their partners have returned to Australia.

Some prosecutions have been successful, but the number of punishments is very low compared to the total number of cases.

Yasmin Khan, The Bangle Foundation

Raising awareness of exit trafficking

Schneider highlighted the need for awareness and vigilance, noting that victims often face language barriers, visa issues and cultural pressures that offenders exploit.

She said the AFP works with community groups, has appointed trafficking liaison officers, and is running a back-to-school awareness campaign.

In response to queries about support for stranded Australians overseas, the DFAT spokesperson highlighted its global consular services.

Khan called for improved, culturally sensitive support from Australian foreign missions in Southeast Asia.

She urged DFAT to tailor assistance to better meet the needs of victims in South Asian countries, where current consular help is often inadequate.

The Australian Government has 124 embassies, high commissions, and consulates in 86 countries to assist Australians overseas. A 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre also supports those in need.

“Assistance may include guidance, help with local authorities, replacement travel documents, and access to medical or mental health support,” a DFAT spokesperson said.

Fatima told SBS Urdu that she believes the laws should be amended in cases like hers, where a former partner refuses to consent to passport applications for underage children, leaving the family stranded overseas, especially when the father does not support or maintain contact with the children.

The current system does not support victims stranded overseas and instead tends to favour the perpetrator.

Fatima

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Help and support

If your life is in danger, call 000 immediately.

DFAT Consular Emergency Centre (24/7 consular assistance for Australians overseas)

Phone: +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas), 1300 555 135 (from Australia)

Local police

National Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Helpline

Mental health support and counselling

Support for men experiencing family violence

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)

Phone: 131 450

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