The children of parents detained or deported under Australia’s immigration system remain forever “shattered” and need better support, according to a new national report.
The University of Sydney and Australian Human Rights Commission report highlights the harm children and young people experience when a parent or caregiver is detained or deported.
A Ripple Effect of Suffering: Children and Young People’s Experiences of Parental Immigration Detention and Deportation draws on more than 200 responses from people aged seven to 25.
It found they suffered acute emotional distress, financial strain, food poverty, housing insecurity, and educational disruption.
Many report “feelings of sadness, abandonment, shame, disconnection, and anger,” the report said.
“Many withdraw from their families and friend groups and become disengaged at school.
“Without robust support, children and young people are at risk of mental ill health, substance use, violence, and reckless behaviour.”
Lead author Dr Michelle Peterie from the University of Sydney said children were often forced to take on adult responsibilities and felt their world had been “shattered” when a parent was detained or deported.
“It not only effects the person directly targeted, but also has profound and often negative impacts on their children and families,” Dr Peterie said.
“As one young person told us, ‘it’s like a ripple effect of suffering’.
“While children and young people do a heroic job of stepping up and helping their families, they often do this at great personal cost.”
The report includes thoughts from affected youngsters on how they could be better supported and what should be done to prevent other families from harm in the future.
Australia currently has 1054 people in onshore immigration detention facilities.
National Children’s Commissioner Deb Tsorbaris said the stories collected in the report added a vital new perspective to Australia’s debates on visa cancellation, immigration detention and deportation.
“Their stories paint a different picture to the usual view presented in the media of people whose visas have been cancelled on character grounds, showing that many are also parents and caregivers,” Ms Tsorbaris said.
“Children suffer the consequences of adult and government actions through no fault of their own.”
