Sanvi and Aditi are now able to live in safety in Australia

Friday, June 28 2024

We are delighted to let you know that the initial match of $75,000 from our pro bono law firm partners and now the match donation of $50,000 from Peter McMullin and the Good Business Foundation – have both been reached.

Your support and generosity ensures that we can continue to fearlessly defend the rights and lives of thousands of people who seek our help, while advocating for major reform and justice.

Your support ensures we can help people like Sanvi and her three-year-old daughter, Aditi.

Sanvi arrived in Australia from India, with her husband Raj, both holding student visas. Soon after arrival, Sanvi became pregnant with Aditi. Raj began perpetrating severe violence against Sanvi which escalated after Aditi was born.

His violence became so extreme that Sanvi feared for her life. She fled with Aditi to Melbourne from the county town where they had been living.

Sanvi was too frightened to return to India with her daughter as she knew she would be at risk of severe violence from Raj’s family as well.

Without the help of a lawyer, Sanvi applied for a protection visa to remain in Australia. Her visa application was refused by the Department without her being interviewed. Sanvi was devasted by this news.

She contacted us for help, telling us about the extreme and protracted family violence she had been experiencing and her fears of returning to India.

We represented Sanvi at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal which found that she was at real risk of further violence, even death, if she returned to India and so was owed protection in Australia.

The nightmare for Sanvi and Aditi is over. They are now able to live in safety in Australia.

Legal help is essential for people like Sanvi to effectively present their cases for protection.

Thank you again to the many of you who have donated to our End of Financial Year Appeal.

If you have not already donated, I invite you to support this life-changing work by making a tax-deductible donation to Refugee Legal before 30 June.

Sincerely and with thanks,

David Manne
Refugee Legal
CEO & Principal Solicitor