Public submissions are now being sought for a Senate inquiry into the practice of dowry and its abuse in Australia.
The inquiry will examine the "devastating impacts" of the cultural practice - traditionally involving an exchange of parental property, gifts or money at the marriage of a daughter - amid calls for it to be banned.
Misuse of the practice has been linked to physical, emotional and financial abuse as well as suicide and murder.
'He would beat me'
Durga* plans to have the darkest memories of her year-long marriage shared with Australia's inquiry.
She told SBS News the dowry linked to her wedding led to horrendous abuse at the hands of her former husband.
"He was abusing me, torturing me, at times he would beat me asking me for more dowry," she said.
"I cry, at times I even feel like dying ... But then I gather all my strength inside and say 'no, I will not give up'.”
The practice of dowry often sees a bride's family give their new husbands money and gold, it remains legal in Australia.
Victoria's Royal Commission into Family Violence found dowry abuse to be a common source of domestic violence among migrants - especially from the Indian subcontinent and Africa.
Victims in Australia are being called on to recount their experiences of abuse linked to the practice.
“So I just hope that something positive comes out of this, that dowry law is made in Australia because a lot of Indians they are in Australia so that they do not suffer," Durga said.
'Devastating impacts'
Victorian MP Julian Hill told SBS News dowry abuse cases are proving fatal across Australia.
"Why are we getting reports of family violence, murders, suicides in response to dowry and dowry abuse?" he said.
"The anecdotal reports which we've heard ... are horrific.
Mr Hill said Australia must provide a national response.
"Whether putting a price on a woman in modern Australia is acceptable, I don’t think it is," he said.
“With some changes to visa and sponsorship requirements, we could perhaps stop dowry abuse."
'A massive problem'
Victoria’s Lower House voted in favour of new laws to protect victims earlier this month.
Molina Asthana, council member for the Law Institute of Victoria, told SBS News the state is expected to become the first in Australia to target such abuse.
“What it means really is that now it will be recognised as a form of family violence," she said.
“Before that, the judge or police were not able to understand the implications of dowry demands or coercion.”
The Victorian laws state they do not outlaw the practice of dowry, but rather aim to better recognise victims' complaints in relation to dowry related abuse.
“It’s a massive problem that the community is facing and we need to address it,” Ms Asthana said.
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Despite being outlawed in India in 1961, dowry abuse resulted in more than 7,000 deaths in 2016, according to the National Crime Bureau.
Victoria is home to almost 40 per cent of Australia’s Indian community - the top source of new Australian citizens over the past five years.
But some in the community believe abuse cases in Australia are isolated and existing laws are adequate.
Dr Gurdip Aurora, president of the Australia India Society of Victoria said: "All children who are born here will not subscribe to a dowry… the dowry that is the issue is way back in India… it has not occurred here.”
Change needed
Manjula O’Connor, psychiatrist and founder of the Australasian Centre for Human Rights, sees victims of dowry-abuse in her practice every week.
"Emotional abuse, demands, threats, slapping, choking, [and] pulling hair out. It takes a very strong Indian bride to leave that marriage," she told SBS News.
She wants the practice of dowry to be banned in Australia.
"The number of women [in Australia] who are suffering from this is going to increase as the migration from the subcontinent increases," she said. “So we need to protect the women who are so vulnerable.”
The inquiry is due to report back its findings on 6 December 2018. Those wanting to make a submission to the inquiry can do so here before 17 August.
*Name has been changed
If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
