Children who do not feel safe

In the long-term, the children could still need psychological intervention. Much depended on how well they were re-integrated into society and how connected to the community they became.

“The attitude of the Federal Government has to change,” Dr Newman said. Anxiety and symptoms of post-trauma stress order would continue until people had permanency. “The Government must make a sincere effort to reform the law. There can be no progress until we actually reverse that.” The children could not get better until they had security. “They don’t feel safe,” she said. 

This drawing by Shayan Badraie, at 6, shows Shayan and his sister crying, with their parents. The van at bottom right is the ambulance that would take Shayan to and from Westmead Children's Hospital, when he needed to be rehydrated because he would not eat or drink properly. Top left is a guard with a baton. Bottom left is a detainee bleeding where he has cut his wrist. All along the top is the razor wire that sits across the fences at Villawood. Courtesy, Chilout (Children Out of Detention).