INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE

Our team at the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland and the Australian Human Rights Commission is conducting a research study about the long-term impacts of childhood immigration detention.

We want to understand what immigration detention is like for children, and how children’s detention experiences impact them after they are released. We also want to understand how children's experiences after detention shape their lives and wellbeing.

If you or someone you know was detained in Australia’s onshore or offshore immigration detention system (including community detention) at any point during childhood, you are invited to participate in the study.

You must be at least 16 years old to take part.

Participation is voluntary. There are two ways you can be involved:

  • You can complete a short online survey. The survey is anonymous (we won’t ask for your name) and takes around 10mins.

  • You can take part in a confidential interview with a member of our research team. Interviews last around 60mins and can take place via phone, zoom or in person at a time that suits you. You can choose whether or not to tell us your name. Either way, we will keep your identity private.

Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions (below) before deciding whether to participate. You can contact us if you have any questions or would like to discuss your involvement.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The University of Sydney, the University of Queensland and the Australian Human Rights Commission are conducting a research study about the long-term impacts of childhood immigration detention (including community detention).

    We want to understand how children’s detention experiences impact them after their release. We also want to understand how children's experiences after detention shape their lives and wellbeing.

    Participation in this study is voluntary. You do not have to take part.

  • The study is being run by the following people. The research team is conducting the study. The expert advisory board members are providing valuable support:

    RESEARCH TEAM

    • Dr Michelle Peterie | The University of Sydney

    • Prof Alex Broom | The University of Sydney

    • Prof Greg Marston | The University of Queensland

    • Anne Hollonds | The Australian Human Rights Commission

    • Peter Mares | Independent

    • Dr Zoe Hogan | The University of Sydney

    • Dr Saba Vasefi | The University of Sydney

    • Dr Sarah Mares | Independent

    • Dr Stephanie Raymond | The University of Sydney

    EXPERT ADVISORY BOARD

    • Zaki Haidari | Amnesty International | Expert by Experience

    • Sahar Ghasemi | Expert by Experience

    • Dr Graham Thom | Refugee Council of Australia

    • Sarah Dale | Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS)

    • Prof Mary Bosworth | The University of Oxford

    • A/Prof Caitlin Patler |The University of California, Berkeley

    • Prof Alison Phipps |The University of Glasgow

    • Prof Amy Conley Wright | The University of Sydney

    This study is being paid for through an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant. The ARC is an independent body that funds research in Australia.

  • If you are at least 16 years old and you fall into one of the following categories, you are invited to participate in the study:

    • You were detained in Australia’s onshore or offshore immigration detention system (including community detention) when you were a child (i.e., when you were under 18 years old);

    • A member of your family was detained in Australia’s onshore or offshore immigration detention system (including community detention) when they were a child (i.e., when they were under 18 years old); or

    • Someone you support was detained in Australia’s onshore or offshore immigration detention system (including community detention) when they were a child (i.e., when they were under 18 years old).

  • This study has two parts. You can participate both parts, or just in one:

    • You can complete an anonymous online survey. The survey takes around 10mins and focuses on childhood immigration detention. All questions are optional. You will not be asked for your name; your answers will be completely anonymous.

      You can access the survey online using here.

    • You can participate in a (phone, zoom or face-to-face) interview. As part of your interview, a member of the research team will have a relaxed and confidential conversation with you about childhood immigration detention. They will not pressure you to talk about anything you don’t want to. The researcher will ask if you would like to create an artwork about your experiences, for use in the study. They will give you some options about how you can do this.

      You do not have to give the researcher your real name if you don’t want to. Your answers will be kept private and you will not be identified in any of the study findings. You can bring a support person to your interview if you want to.

      Interviews can take place via phone or zoom (anywhere in the world) or face-to-face (Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane only). Your interview can take place at a time that suits you.

      You can schedule a phone, zoom or face-to-face interview here.

  • The survey takes around 10mins. Interviews take around 60mins. You can participate in one or both.

  • You do not have to take part in this study. There will be no negative consequences if you decide not to be involved.

  • You can end the survey at any time by closing the browser. You cannot withdraw your answers from the survey once they have been submitted. This is because the survey is anonymous and we will not be able to tell which answers are yours.  

    You can end the interview at any time by telling the researcher you want to stop. You can withdraw your interview data at any time before the results are published by contacting the researchers.

  • Talking about immigration detention can be difficult. We do not want to upset you and will not push you to answer any questions you don’t want to.

    If you become upset during the survey, you can take a break or end the survey by closing the browser. If you become upset during your interview, we will ask if you want to stop or pause your interview.

    If you feel distressed and need to speak with a counsellor, free support is available by calling Lifeline (free call) on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline (free call) on 1800 55 1800.

  • We cannot guarantee you will derive any benefits from the study, but we will do our best to make your involvement a positive experience. Many people appreciate the opportunity to share their experiences and feel like they have been heard.

    The aim of this study is to understand the long-term impacts of childhood immigration detention, and what supports people need to flourish after detention. Findings will be used to advocate for better and fairer policies and practices, including the abolition of childhood immigration detention.

    If you decide to participate in an interview, we will give you a AU$50 Visa or Eftpos card to thank you for your time. No compensation is available for completing the survey.

  • When we publish the project findings, we will not include your name or any information that could identify you. Publications from the study are likely to include reports, journal articles, book chapters and presentations.

    We may also exhibit the artwork from the project. You can decide if your artwork is exhibited. You can also decide if you would like to be identified as the artist responsible for the artwork you have created. You are the owner of any artworks you create during the study.

    We will store your information safely and keep it in perpetuity. We will not disclose your identity, except as required by law. If you are worried about this, you do not have to tell us your real name. You can also ask that we delete your information at any time by contacting the researchers.

  • Yes, you can tell other people about the study. Please encourage others to participate.

    • You can access the survey online here.

    • You can organise a phone, zoom or face-to-face interview here.

    If you require an interpreter for your interview, please contact the researchers before you schedule your interview to request this.

  • If you would like more information at any point during the study, you can contact the researchers.

  • Study results will be published on the project website as they become available. You can also contact the researchers to request an update at any time.

  • You can contact the researchers at any time during the study using the details below:

  • Research involving humans in Australia is reviewed by an independent group of people called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the HREC of The University of Sydney [2024/HE001871]. As part of this process, we have agreed to carry out the study according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). This statement has been developed to protect people who agree to take part in research studies.

    If you are concerned about the way this study is being done or if you wish to make a complaint to someone independent from the study, please contact the University using the details outlined below.