A husband, aged 26 and unnamed due to legal restrictions, has been sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in prison for subjecting his wife to extreme violence and controlling behaviour, effectively imprisoning her in their home in what has been described as a “tyranny” of abuse. This case marks the first conviction of its kind in Australia under the offence of servitude.
In the Victorian Supreme Court, the man pleaded guilty to aggravated charges of causing his wife to remain in servitude and two counts of assault. Justice Jane Dixon highlighted the severe and “vicious” nature of the abuse, which stripped the wife of her freedom in nearly all aspects of life. The husband restricted her movements, dictated her bathroom usage, and limited her medical access, all while isolating her from family.
The couple, who began their relationship in 2020, moved in together that same year. The violence escalated following the birth of their child in October 2021. For an entire year before her eventual escape, the husband forbade both her and their baby from leaving their Melbourne apartment without him. He would force her to remain in their bedroom while he socialised and made her video herself to ensure she did not leave.
He inflicted physical punishment using poles and electrical cables, leaving her bloodied and bruised for failing to meet his demands regarding household chores. In addition to physical abuse, he took control of her finances, demanding she transfer all her savings—amounting to over $50,000—over three years, further entrenching her dependency on him.
In August 2023, the wife sent a distressing video of her heavily bruised face and body to her mother, which eventually led to police involvement. When authorities reached the scene, they found her trembling in a bathroom, apologising and insisting that the abuse was her fault. The husband, upon being arrested, attempted to deflect blame, claiming his wife had “asked for it.”
After serving more than a year of his sentence, the man will be eligible for parole in nine years. This case serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of domestic violence and the importance of support for those affected. Assistance is available through the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).