Fears that dowry-related violence in Australia's Indian community is on the rise have prompted calls to change laws to protect women.
Psychiatrist Dr Mandula O'Connor and lawyer Molina Asthana are lobbying to change dowry regulations in Australia to better reflect Indian laws and act as a disincentive for men.
The ancient dowry custom is outlawed in India, but remains a widespread practice. There are fears that marriages are falling apart with husbands retaining the valuable offerings, leaving women broke and vulnerable.
Jatinda claims domestic violence from dowry disputes contributed to the breakdown of her first marriage.
“All he cared about was dowry. He didn't notice anything else, love, care, compassion, nothing. I think it was all about dowry."
Dr Mandula O'Connor says this is a familiar narrative.
She says 75-percent of domestic violence referrals from the Indian community are dowry related.
One of her patients, “Kumla” said she contemplated suicide after suffering violence at the hands of her husband because he and his family considered the dowry offer to be insufficient.
“For acts of cruelty done any time after marriage or before marriage in relation to dowry could lead to imprisonment up to 5-years and a fine,” said Molina Asthana.
This is a contentious issue as the dowry is still engrained in Indian culture and the practice still takes place, often passed off as a gift.
