Aus vows assistance to victims of ‘forced marriages’

“The number of incidents involving Indian girls is small. However,we are putting in place every possible ‘check and balance’,to monitor the cases.”

“We have met with many women groups in regards of these marriages and we have indicated every possible help to them. We will come back in due course ( in this concern),” Bowen said after a meeting with Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi. Australia’s Minister for Sport and Multicultural Affairs,Kate Lundy was also present in the meeting.

According to an assessment by the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry,New Zealand and Australia are fast becoming new hotspots for rising cases of fraudulent marriages by non-resident Indians for receiving large dowry.

Bowen said that the incidents of attacks on Indian students were “tragic” and that Australia had taken all measures to stop such incidents.

The minister also asked “more and more” Indian students to come to Australia for taking up courses in skill development training.

Terming the bilateral ties as ‘healthy’,Ravi said both the countries were commited to further strengthen the relations for a robust economic and cultural growth.

The Australian Immigration Department had some days back expressed difficulty in dealing with incidents of “arranged forced marriages”,insisting the matter was a “grey area” that was difficult for police to handle.

Data released by the department had shown that Australia had received over 1,022 prospective marriage visa applications from India in past six years and many teenaged girls ended up marrying Australians much older than them.

The department had said these marriages usually have the consent of both parties and “are generally accepted as culturally appropriate”,and are “the norm” in India.

It had highlighted problems with identifying forced marriages,due to victims’ fear of retribution and unwillingness to speak out.