Court hears woman was beaten, starved, and isolated for months
A disturbing forced labor case in Australia is drawing fresh attention after a court heard that an Indonesian woman was allegedly abused, deprived of food and sleep, and treated like a slave inside a suburban Melbourne home.
Allegations of Abuse in Melbourne
An Australian court has heard that an Indonesian woman was allegedly beaten, starved, and forced to sleep on stairs or in a garage while living with a Malaysian couple in Point Cook, a suburb in Melbourne’s south-west. Prosecutors allege the abuse lasted for months after she agreed to stay with Chee Kit Chong and Angie Yeh Ling Liaw in early 2022. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the trial is ongoing.
Prosecutors Say She Was Forced to Work Off a “Debt”
According to the prosecution’s case, the woman had originally planned to stay only about a month, but was later forced to remain after Chong allegedly accused her of losing a company credit card and demanded that she work to repay the supposed debt. ABC previously reported that authorities alleged the couple exercised coercive control over her, restricted her movements, and physically assaulted her over about 10 months in 2022.
Claims of Physical and Psychological Control
Court proceedings, as reported by ABC Australia, said prosecutors accused Chong of treating the woman as though he owned her and using her vulnerable immigration status against her. She was allegedly forced to carry out domestic chores, massage Chong, and endure punishments that included assault, sleep deprivation, food deprivation, and being locked in the garage. Prosecutors also allege Liaw assisted or encouraged the conduct, though she disputes the claims.
Investigation Began After Medical Alert
The court heard that medical staff documented the woman’s injuries before a nurse alerted police, helping trigger the investigation. ABC earlier reported that the Australian Federal Police arrested the couple in 2023 and accused them of using coercive control and violence against the woman at their home. The complainant later died in 2024 from causes said to be unrelated to the case.
Trial Highlights Modern Slavery Risks
The case has become another stark reminder that modern slavery allegations are not limited to illegal workplaces or trafficking routes, but can also happen inside private homes under the guise of domestic help. With both accused maintaining their innocence, the Victorian County Court trial will now be closely watched as prosecutors seek to prove whether the woman was unlawfully exploited and abused over an extended period.
This trial carries weight far beyond one household because it highlights how migration status, dependency, and isolation can leave vulnerable workers exposed to severe abuse. For Indonesians, the case is a painful reminder of the risks some citizens face abroad, especially in informal domestic arrangements. For Singaporeans, it also underscores a wider regional challenge: modern slavery and forced labor can thrive quietly unless authorities, medical workers, and communities act quickly when warning signs appear.
Sources: Malay Mail (2026) , ABC AU (2026)
Keywords: Australia Slavery Trial, Indonesian Woman, Point Cook, Chee Kit Chong, Angie Yeh Ling Liaw, Forced Labor, Victorian County Court
