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Reports of family violence widespread amid despair of Nauru detention Reports of family violence widespread amid despair of Nauru detention
(12 days later)
Reports of family violence and child abuse by asylum seekers in detention appear with regularity in the Nauru files.Reports of family violence and child abuse by asylum seekers in detention appear with regularity in the Nauru files.
In one report a Wilson Security officer told of finding a child under the age of 10 hogtied on the floor of her room, allegedly by her mother. “The parents were told to untie the child and this was not appropriate,” the report said. “The child was crying. The parents also allegedly tell their daughter that they will leave her and return to Iran.”In one report a Wilson Security officer told of finding a child under the age of 10 hogtied on the floor of her room, allegedly by her mother. “The parents were told to untie the child and this was not appropriate,” the report said. “The child was crying. The parents also allegedly tell their daughter that they will leave her and return to Iran.”
In another report an asylum seeker told of a father in a nearby tent who had two young children: “The father, almost every day, beats up his young child in a savage way,” the asylum seeker was quoted as saying.In another report an asylum seeker told of a father in a nearby tent who had two young children: “The father, almost every day, beats up his young child in a savage way,” the asylum seeker was quoted as saying.
Related: Nauru teachers speak out for children: ‘We don’t have to torture them’
The files show a place a misery and despair. There are allegations of abuse perpetrated by guards and local Nauruans, and shocking acts of self-harm. But they also expose a darker side to some of the asylum seekers detained on the island.The files show a place a misery and despair. There are allegations of abuse perpetrated by guards and local Nauruans, and shocking acts of self-harm. But they also expose a darker side to some of the asylum seekers detained on the island.
A guard observed a woman banging a boy’s head into the back of a chair; a girl said her mother screamed at her every night and often hit her across the head; a caseworker saw a mother at playgroup dragging her child, dropping him from a height, kicking him and hitting him.A guard observed a woman banging a boy’s head into the back of a chair; a girl said her mother screamed at her every night and often hit her across the head; a caseworker saw a mother at playgroup dragging her child, dropping him from a height, kicking him and hitting him.
One man was furious to learn that a family member had been the victim of an alleged sexual assault by another asylum seeker. He had counted the alleged perpetrator as a friend but on learning of the allegation threatened to “fuck” a family member of the perpetrator.One man was furious to learn that a family member had been the victim of an alleged sexual assault by another asylum seeker. He had counted the alleged perpetrator as a friend but on learning of the allegation threatened to “fuck” a family member of the perpetrator.
For those who support offshore detention, reports of family violence are likely to serve to reinforce the view that these people are not fit to be in Australia. But they pose broader questions about choice and responsibility.For those who support offshore detention, reports of family violence are likely to serve to reinforce the view that these people are not fit to be in Australia. But they pose broader questions about choice and responsibility.
“Everyone has choices,” Australia’s prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said when asked by ABC’s Four Corners in June if Australia’s immigration policies had caused an asylum seeker to self-immolate on Nauru. “The reality is that the border protection policies that we have are tough, I grant you that.”“Everyone has choices,” Australia’s prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said when asked by ABC’s Four Corners in June if Australia’s immigration policies had caused an asylum seeker to self-immolate on Nauru. “The reality is that the border protection policies that we have are tough, I grant you that.”
The Australian Institute of Criminology has pointed to “situational factors” that increase the risk of domestic violence. These include unemployment, poor living standards and overcrowding, stress and difficulty in accessing support.The Australian Institute of Criminology has pointed to “situational factors” that increase the risk of domestic violence. These include unemployment, poor living standards and overcrowding, stress and difficulty in accessing support.
Those most familiar with Nauru say many of these risk factors are present on the island.Those most familiar with Nauru say many of these risk factors are present on the island.
Related: The Nauru files: the lives of asylum seekers in detention detailed in a unique database – interactive
“Environmental issues definitely drew out the worst in people,” said Peter Law, an Australian magistrate who served in a judicial role on the island until 2014.“Environmental issues definitely drew out the worst in people,” said Peter Law, an Australian magistrate who served in a judicial role on the island until 2014.
He saw firsthand how the detention centre affected asylum seekers. “The particular arrangements for asylum seekers made it worse, and they were clearly a contributing factor for all sorts of incidents.”He saw firsthand how the detention centre affected asylum seekers. “The particular arrangements for asylum seekers made it worse, and they were clearly a contributing factor for all sorts of incidents.”
Law said Nauru as a whole faced significant problems of family violence. He recounted one case in which a Nauruan woman lost her right eye after an alleged attack by her partner. Her father was killed, leading to a manslaughter charge. “She was in a very desperate situation,” he said.Law said Nauru as a whole faced significant problems of family violence. He recounted one case in which a Nauruan woman lost her right eye after an alleged attack by her partner. Her father was killed, leading to a manslaughter charge. “She was in a very desperate situation,” he said.
“In the Pacific, domestic violence – as it is here – is a very real issue. It’s compounded by alcohol and by crowding. The housing situation on Nauru is a disaster, and the high level of unemployment.”“In the Pacific, domestic violence – as it is here – is a very real issue. It’s compounded by alcohol and by crowding. The housing situation on Nauru is a disaster, and the high level of unemployment.”
The Nauruan criminal code does have an equivalent to Australia’s apprehended violence order. Law said he had used such orders on a number of occasions for asylum seekers.The Nauruan criminal code does have an equivalent to Australia’s apprehended violence order. Law said he had used such orders on a number of occasions for asylum seekers.
“We dealt with a number of cases of AVOs between detainees in the detention centre. Not so much family violence but between individuals but between a guard and a particular asylum seeker.“We dealt with a number of cases of AVOs between detainees in the detention centre. Not so much family violence but between individuals but between a guard and a particular asylum seeker.
“Those incidents all decreased when the asylum seekers went into permanent accommodation. But when the riots broke out people were back in tents – and they’ve been back in tents ever since. It was a very stressful situation for people to be in.”“Those incidents all decreased when the asylum seekers went into permanent accommodation. But when the riots broke out people were back in tents – and they’ve been back in tents ever since. It was a very stressful situation for people to be in.”
Some of these situational risks – like the tents – fall squarely within Australia’s power to minimise. The current government’s decision to leave the tents in place was hotly contested and runs counter to the stance of the opposition Labor party.Some of these situational risks – like the tents – fall squarely within Australia’s power to minimise. The current government’s decision to leave the tents in place was hotly contested and runs counter to the stance of the opposition Labor party.
Related: From pleas to threats to harm: files reveal escalation of trauma on Nauru
Others environmental factors, including where asylum seekers who are alleged to have perpetrated abuse are allowed to stay, also fall within Australia’s control.Others environmental factors, including where asylum seekers who are alleged to have perpetrated abuse are allowed to stay, also fall within Australia’s control.
In 2015 a number of children alleged a refugee had sexually abused them. The man was charged but released on bail. Despite living in a separate compound as part of his bail conditions, he continued to come into contact with his alleged victims. On one occasion he approached a girl under 10.In 2015 a number of children alleged a refugee had sexually abused them. The man was charged but released on bail. Despite living in a separate compound as part of his bail conditions, he continued to come into contact with his alleged victims. On one occasion he approached a girl under 10.
“[REDACTED] stated that she felt ‘unsafe in the heart and mind and I didn’t want to stay near him’. [REDACTED] stated ‘I just went to my room and cried, I felt scared’.”“[REDACTED] stated that she felt ‘unsafe in the heart and mind and I didn’t want to stay near him’. [REDACTED] stated ‘I just went to my room and cried, I felt scared’.”
• If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au in Australia• If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au in Australia