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