Dowry abuse in Australia ‘linked to family violence, murders and suicides’

A Senate committee has identified dowry abuse as a direct cause of family violence, murders and suicides in Australia, but has ruled out recommending a specific law to criminalise the practice.

After months of submissions and evidence by individuals and organisations, a long-awaited Senate inquiry into the nature and prevalence of dowry and dowry abuse in Australia has published its report.

One of the inquiry’s key findings is the recommendation that the term ‘economic abuse’ be included as a form of family violence under the existing Family Law Act 1975.

At present, there is no reference to dowry abuse in the Family Law Act – Victoria is the only state that specifically includes dowry abuse in legislation as an example of family violence.

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