Criticism of response to rape allegations in detention centre

An Iranian asylum seeker in the Christmas Island detention centre is criticising the way Australian authorities are handling rape allegations, leaving her feeling desperate and in danger.

The Christmas Island detention centre - Getty-1.jpg

Christmas Island detention centre. (File: Getty)

The woman claims to have been raped by a fellow detainee in a family compound and says it was only after going on hunger strike that her allegations were taken seriously.
 
The 23-year-old Iranian woman claims she first raised the rape allegations with authorities over a month ago.
 
After going on a hunger strike, she says Federal Police came to interview her and medical examinations were completed, but then she heard nothing more.


 
Over the next three weeks, the woman says she sent written requests for police to follow up on the claims.
 
In desperation she spoke to SBS Radio's Farsi program last week.

"It is now more than three weeks that I am continuously asking my case officers to provide a lawyer to me because I did not say the whole story. But nobody has turned up to offer me help," she said in Farsi.

"The only thing that my case manager told me was: 'You have the right to acquire a lawyer but you need to pay all legal costs.' And I said: 'Right that's fine. I am more than happy to pay the entire costs because I want this person to be punished.' They said: 'We will try to find a lawyer for you' but nobody has turned up so far.

"Through some of my friends here in Australia I managed to get some contact numbers of a couple of lawyers. I, myself, contacted some lawyers in Australia but it seems that they are not able to enter the detention centres. They said: "You are not an Australian citizen. Police or immigration might tell you that you have such a right; however, we (lawyers) are not allowed to enter detention centres."
 
Since speaking to SBS Radio the asylum seeker says police have met with her again.
 
She says they first told her the case had been closed for some time, before saying they would re-open the case and provide a lawyer within two weeks.
 
The Australian Federal Police has confirmed it received a referral in relation to the matter on December 27, but says police cannot comment on the matter as it is under investigation.
 
Daniel Webb from the Melbourne-based Human Rights Law Centre says asylum seekers have a right to legal representation when it comes to allegations of abuse or mistreatment.
 
"Under Australian law and under international law any asylum seeker in Australia's custody has the legal right to access legal assistance," Mr Webb said. "Where legal assistance is sought and the Department of Immigration has the responsibility to facilitate that access."
 
Pamela Curr from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre says a pattern is emerging of detainees complaining that their concerns are being ignored.
 
"It is unusual for a person who is a victim to require a lawyer to get redress for the damage or trauma that has been done to them. That is very unusual," Ms Curr said.

"In Australia it is the role of the police to ensure that victims are heard and that charges are laid. What is happening now is that people in detention are having to ask a lawyer to assist them to get what should be theirs by right: the protection of the police."
 
In the meantime, the alleged victim says she remains fearful for her safety and that of fellow detainees.
 
She says since the incident, her alleged attacker has been moved to another part of the detention centre but he and his family continue to intimidate her and threaten her with physical violence.
 
The asylum seeker, whose husband is also in the detention centre, told SBS Radio she's appealing for help.

"I expect you to help me. I came here to Australia with so many hopes. But now, I am only a lonely woman here. I have not come here for better food, clothes or many other things that they might think.

"The only reason that has brought me here is 'security' and 'safety'. After experiencing such a hard journey, trying to reach to Australia, I think it is not fair that I am deprived of such right (right of being safe).  I just want you to help me. Any help would be appreciated. Help me as a human, as a woman. Here, I am helpless.

"My life is in trouble. I, a 23-year-old woman who has just married, am only thinking about dying. I don't know what to say when I see that my life is being destroyed because of this man's sexual desires.

"I have lot of friends here in detention centre, most of them single women. They tell me if a married woman can be raped here in Christmas Island, we (as single women) must definitely feel unsafe here."
 
Pamela Curr from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre says this is not the only rape alleged to have occurred recently within the Christmas Island detention centre.
 
Ms Curr says another woman claims to have been raped in the same compound and she's critical of the way authorities are handling both cases.
 
"They have asked for help from the police and from the Immigration personnel. Their pleas for help are not being heard, their allegations are being brushed under the table.

"The message seems to be to women in detention: 'If you come here by boat and you wind up in an Australian detention centre and you get raped, nobody cares and nobody is going to do anything about it.'"
 
A spokesman for Immigration Minister Scott Morrison says questions relating to any investigation are a matter for the Australian Federal Police.
 
The Immigration Minister's office says it is seeking a response to other concerns the Iranian asylum seeker has raised.


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6 min read

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By SBS Radio

Source: SBS Radio


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