In the early days of marriage, Simranjit Kaur saw only the best in her husband. The couple had met in India - their two families already knew each other, and it seemed like a good match.
Her husband was an Australian citizen and so, a year in, he sponsored her for a partner visa that allowed her to join him here.
But...that’s when things changed.
“He just controls me. Whatever he wants I have to do like I have to do cleaning from morning tonight. I have to cook for his friends or even for him, and in the night he always wants sex. He did not allow for me to work, so I have no money so I can't go out and buy food so I feel like I was just stuck and I always cry and pray to God to please help me. And sometimes I feel to die”
In Australia, one in 6 women and one in 16 men have experienced physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of a partner.
But what we don’t know is how many victims have migrated here for love... and are on temporary visas that are sponsored by their abusive spouse.
Social worker Jatinder Kaur works with victims like Simranjit.
Listen to the feature in Bangla in the audio player above.
