You can look through three lenses to understand the experiences of students and families of refugee backgrounds:

1

History of persecution and other traumatic events:

Pre-arrival exposure to violence and loss associated with persecution, human rights violations and forced displacement that impacts individuals, families and communities.

2

Protective and risk factors in Australia:

Settlement (whether permanent or temporary) is a difficult process involving a variety of new and ongoing challenges. Risk factors present barriers to trauma recovery and successful settlement. Protective factors mitigate risks (when one or more are present).

3

Cross-cultural factors:

Settlement often takes place in the context of learning a new language and understanding a new culture. Additionally, families may have previously experienced persecution for their linguistic and cultural practices. Working with this dynamic requires recognition that every encounter is a cross-cultural one.