Trauma and Abuse
This section broadly covers three areas:
- The refugee experience, related to torture and trauma; Refugees and people from refugee-like backgrounds may have been through many traumatic experiences, including torture, as a result of actions of other human beings in the context of war and persecution that could have a long-term traumatic impact. Some of these experiences include Systematic State Terrorism, torture, bombings, killings, kidnappings, sexual assault, detention, disappearances, harassment, being forced to flee; deprivation of food, shelter, healthcare; loss of family, friends, community, safety, home, possessions, routine, schooling, employment, and control over their lives (1).
- Elder abuse, covering areas of physical, emotional, social and financial abuse, including neglect. Elder abuse is defined as a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.
- Veterans, covering military veterans who have served or are serving in the defence forces.
Key Organisations
Peak bodies, advocacy groups and other organisations
FASSTT and member organisations provide services to survivors of torture and trauma, and their families, including psychological support and activities. Includes resources for consumers and health professionals.
E-learning, information sheets and resources about refugee and asylum seeker health, suitable for health professionals and general practice.
For Consumers
Resources to use, together with consumers, to support their needs
Multilingual information and resource booklet for newly arrived migrants and humanitarian entrants, providing information about settlement in Australia.
For Health Professionals
Information, resources, and educational programs to assist health professionals
Resource for health professionals to provide information and guidance when working with older people from refugee or refugee-like backgrounds.
Guide for health professionals to inform arrival and ongoing health care for people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum.
Competency Standards Framework for health professionals around cultural responsiveness.
Reports and Policy
Research papers, reports, reviews and guidelines providing a deeper, evidence-based perspective
Booklet, information and resources examining care issues and requirements of older members of the Forgotten Australians, Child Migrants and Stolen Generations.
Key Organisations
Peak bodies, advocacy groups and other organisations
Information about elder abuse, awareness resources in different languages, and implementing the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians.
Inclusive website navigating elder abuse.
Information about elder abuse, how to get help, support services for individuals and families, as well as information for health professionals to assess and respond to elder abuse.
Australian Government’s response to elder abuse, including ‘Elder Abuse: Everyone’s Business’ animated videos in multiple languages.
Information and resources for communities and health professionals to understand, identify and respond to elder abuse.
Community legal service for older people.
Information, support, advice, advocacy and education regarding elder abuse, suitable for consumers.
For Consumers
Resources to use, together with consumers, to support their needs
Guide designed for older people to support them in arranging to live with their family members, particularly in relation to protecting their own interests.
For Health Professionals
Information, resources, and educational programs to assist health professionals
Website containing easy-to understand information on elder abuse, suitable for anyone working with older people.
Reports and Policy
Research papers, reports, reviews and guidelines providing a deeper, evidence-based perspective
Literature review from ECCV synthesising existing research on elder abuse against people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Key Organisations
Peak bodies, advocacy groups and other organisations
Australian Government agency providing support and information for veterans and their dependents, as well as current Defense Force personnel.
Australia’s leading provider of mental health assessment and counselling for Australian veterans and their families, with training and support for health professionals.
Information, support services, toolkits, education and communities designed to help the Veteran community.
For Consumers
Resources to use, together with consumers, to support their needs
Guide for veterans and families to help them prepare for bereavement, including legal and financial issues, living independently, death and bereavement payments and compensation.
For Health Professionals
Information, resources, and educational programs to assist health professionals
An expert guidance and support for practitioners working with veterans with mental health issues.
Reports and Policy
Research papers, reports, reviews and guidelines providing a deeper, evidence-based perspective
See also
1. STARTTS (2016), Refugees, Asylum seekers and trauma, http://www.startts.org.au/resources/refugees-asylum-seekers-and-trauma/
