A woman, Rhonda, has allegedly suffered severe abuse at the hands of her parents, Enam Hmeed and Mohamed Al-Fadhli, for refusing to enter into an arranged marriage with her first cousin. The parents were arrested in April after police found Rhonda padlocked with a metal chain around her neck in their convenience store in western New South Wales.
According to police reports, the violence erupted when the parents discovered that Rhonda was still communicating with her boyfriend, who had sought permission to marry her. The father opposed this union, insisting that Rhonda should marry his brother’s son instead. This led to allegations that Hmeed physically assaulted Rhonda by hitting her head against a concrete wall, biting her, and using a garden hose during an attack.
Al-Fadhli reportedly drove approximately 400 kilometres back from Sydney upon learning of Rhonda’s contact with her boyfriend. It is claimed that he also restrained her with a metal chain and participated in the violent incidents. Rhonda managed to secretly reach out to both the police and her boyfriend on two occasions, signalling her distress and alerting them to her dire situation.
When authorities first responded to the situation, Rhonda’s parents denied any wrongdoing. However, a subsequent police visit uncovered Rhonda in a locked state, prompting further legal action. The case’s judge noted that while bail conditions for Hmeed have since changed, permitting her to return to their family home in Yagoona, Rhonda has expressed that she will never return there.
Currently, Hmeed is facing charges of detaining her daughter and committing domestic violence, while both parents have not yet entered pleas. A contested hearing is anticipated.
In Australia, while marriages between siblings and descendants are illegal, marriages between cousins are allowed, provided both parties consent freely. The next court hearing for this case is scheduled for October 23, and assistance for those in similar situations is available through various support services such as 1800RESPECT and Lifeline.