Children’s selfharm of concern

Whistleblowers fear for refugees on Nauru, AAP reports.

REFUGEE children on Nauru are deliberately harming themselves and researching ways to die, three whistleblowers have warned.

Leaked documents compiled by immigration workers and obtained by the ABC’s 7.30 programme reveal a spate of selfharm incidents on the island.

One incident report from June this year said a 14yearold refugee child poured petrol over herself and had a lighter.

Another report from June showed a 10yearold refugee attempted selfharm by ingesting some sharp metal objects, which were consistent with fencing wire.

Former child psychologist Vernon Reynolds, who was employed on the island by the Australian Government’s healthcare contractor from August 2016 to April 2018, is concerned some refugee children could die.

‘‘I’m reasonably surprised that noone has,’’ the former International Health and Medical Services worker told

7.30.

‘‘I certainly hope that nothing fatal happens. I am deeply concerned that we will see that.’’

Dr Reynolds said the children were exhibiting signs of severe trauma.

‘‘They stop eating much, they stop drinking much, they stop looking after the daytoday selfcares.’’

There were 939 refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru as of May this year, including 137 children. Refugees on Nauru live in the community and are not held in the regional processing centre.

Social worker Fiona Owens was employed by IHMS as the child mental health team leader from May to July.

Ms Owens alleged she witnessed alarming rates of selfharm among refugee children.

‘‘The only thing a lot of the children are thinking about is how to die. They Google it on the internet,’’ she told

7.30.

Jacinta O’Leary, who was a nurse and midwife on the island from June to September last year, spoke of the difficulties for pregnant refugees seeking terminations in a nation where abortions are illegal.

A spokeswoman from the Department of Home Affairs said Australia provided significant support to Nauru to provide health and welfare services, and various providers were contracted to offer ageappropriate care.

A spokeswoman for the Government of Nauru declined to answer the programme’s questions, while an IHMS spokeswoman said it was not at liberty to discuss the issues raised.