Three people have been charged in connection to the alleged forced marriage of a 20-year-old Shepparton woman, who later became the victim of an alleged homicide in Western Australia.
The arrests come after AFP Human Trafficking Team detectives met with the victim in August last year who alleged members of her family were threatening and coercing her into participating in a forced marriage. She alleged the marriage was organised by a woman in her community.
The victim was offered police intervention and protection, emergency safety planning and alternative accommodation via the Red Cross Support for Trafficked People Program. The AFP confirmed the woman was also offered assistance to leave her situation on several occasions.
It is alleged the victim was coerced into marriage with a Western Australian man in a ceremony held in Shepparton in November last year. The AFP alleges the woman did not freely consent to this marriage. The woman then travelled to Western Australia to live with her husband.
In January this year the Western Australian Police Force Homicide Squad confirmed the death of the victim, with a 25-year-old man charged in connection to her alleged murder.
The two women and man arrested on Tuesday were charged with causing a person to enter a forced marriage — the second time this charge has ever been used in Victoria.
The 30-year-old woman and 22-year-old man faced the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and were bailed to reappear at a later date.
Ms Muhammad Jan appeared at the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and was also bailed to reappear again in February next year.
