Uncharted waters: assisting asylum seekers in the era of sovereign borders

Paper 2 for Ida. PLEASE note, this abstract is for 3 linked papers, each of the above authors are presenting one paper (and are therefore each primary authors). We are proposing that the 3 papers comprise one 90 minute... [ view full abstract ]

Paper 2 for Ida. PLEASE note, this abstract is for 3 linked papers, each of the above authors are presenting one paper (and are therefore each primary authors). We are proposing that the 3 papers comprise one 90 minute session.

Unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers awaiting refugee status decisions and the diversity of their social and legal circumstances have posed significant challenges to Australian refugee counselling services. Alongside asylum seekers who have arrived with visas and undergo normal processing, counselling has been provided to asylum seekers who have waited years for the assessment of their claims; who have been detained for up to six years owing to their security or character status; and who have been transferred from a regional processing country. This session presents three related papers. The first describes the policy and legal context which determine asylum seekers’ circumstances and how psychological treatment and advocacy have had to adapt to these circumstances. The second presents our observations about the ability of psychological interventions to assist adults, children and families in detention and in the community while waiting for RSD or removal to a regional processing country. Undertaking thorough psychosocial assessment which identifies the focus of treatment and ascertains the asylum seeker’s capacity to undertake trauma focused work despite the uncertainty of their situation will be discussed. The third paper presents the various ways psychological evidence and the preparation of reports can contribute to ensuring the asylum seeker’s claims are understood and fairly adjudicated by decision makers..

While the Australian asylum system has some unique features, such as mandatory detention and transfers to offshore processing, many of the challenges besetting the provision of psychological treatment of asylum seekers are universal.