Parents, Carers, Educators and Friends

Immigration detention centres are instruments of mass torture. In order to target adults and children arriving in Australia by boat, both onshore and offshore, the successive governments of Australia have established mandatory detention policies. This has continued for more than thirty years. Australian detention centres are torture factories that have permanently damaged refugee detainees both kids and adults. Not to mention that nearly every detainee in these immigration detention camps is or has been a person of colour who sought protection by boat.

What does this signify for children in the present and future generations? Wouldn't the children in Australia be aware that children are being held captive and mistreated in these warehouses? This is a question that parents, guardians and careers should ask themselves first and I let them make the final decision.

Keep these things in your mind

• Prior to speaking with your children, educate yourself. Read up on Australia's mandatory detention policy, the effects it has had on the eX-detainee community both inside and outside of detention detention centres, and the political parties' stance on migrants arriving by boat. There are sufficient materials on the internet.

• Please make sure your child is prepared to talk about this and give them enough time and follow-up sessions to ensure that the conversation flows naturally from both sides. Some of the words might be heavy, words matter for the eX-detainee survivors so choose your way to describe them. 

• Using pictures, news articles or reading appropriate books is the best way to start. Encourage enquiry and open communication by being straightforward and truthful. Choose books, articles, and pictures that aren't condescending, glorification-based, or patronising.