WyndhamHumanitarianNetwork

SudaneseSub-Committee

Presents

Report ofthe Wyndham

SudaneseCommunityForum

IssuesRecommendations

April2008

Compiled By

RichardDove

MulticulturalLiaisonOfficer,VictoriaPolice

Chairpersonof theSudanese Sub-committeeWyndhamHumanitarian Network

JennieBarrera

Manager,WerribeeCommunityCentre

Chairpersonof theWyndhamHumanitarianNetwork

KiemiLai

EngagedCommunities Coordinator

SpiritWestServices–WesternBulldogs

SallyRyan

ProgramSupportWorker

NewHopeFoundationWerribeeRefugeeResourceCentre

Andwiththeassistanceof theentireWyndhamHumanitarianNetwork

SudaneseSub-Committee

TABLEOFCONTENTS

1. / Foreword
1.1. / Whatthisreport“Is”...... 4
1.2. / WhatthisReport “Isnot”...... 4
1.3. / Whatdoesthis Reportseekto do?...... 4
2. / Introduction
2.1. / AboutThe Forum...... 5
2.2. / Whycreate a Forum?...... 5
2.3. / MethodofGatheringInformation...... 6
2.4. / WyndhamHumanitarianNetworkSudaneseSub-Committee...... 6
3. / Topicreports
3.1. / Education...... 7
3.2. / Employment...... 10
3.3. / Family...... 12
3.4. / Health...... 14
3.5. / Housing...... 16
3.6. / Legal...... 18
3.7. / Police...... 20
3.8. / Youth...... 23
4. / Afterword...... 25
5. / Appendices
5.1. / Glossary ofterms...... 26
5.2. / ForumAgenda...... 27
5.3. / The Sudan-born Community...... 28
5.4. / WyndhamHumanitarianNetworkSub-CommitteeMembers...... 31

Onehundredandsixty-two SouthSudanesemen,women andchildrengatheredat theIramooCommunityCentreinWyndhamValeontheafternoonofthe6thof April2008togetherwithamultitudeofgovernmentand non-government service providers.Theycametodiscussandexaminethecomplexity ofissuesconfronting andchallengingtheSudan-borncommunityofWyndham. Contributingpositively tothiseventwastheknowledge thatitwasthefirsttimethatvirtually theentire SouthSudanesecommunity ofWyndhamhadcometogetherinoneplaceandwas representedasoneentity. Thetopicsdiscussedat theforumincluded:Health, Police,Education,Family, Youth,Housing,Legal andEmployment. Theforumwas fundedbythe WyndhamCityCouncil-CommunityAccessandInclusion Team.

FOREWORD

1.1.Whatthisreport“Is”

Thisreportisacollection ofinformation gatheredbyfacilitatorswithoutquestion oradvice fromthediscussiongroupsthatwereheldattheWyndhamSudaneseForumonthe6thApril

2008. Thediscussiongroupsfocused oneightspecifictopics-Health,Police,Education, Family,Youth,Housing,LegalandEmployment.

This report represents the feelings, expectations, issues and suggestions for improved serviceprovisionthattheWyndhamSudaneseCommunityfeelisrequiredtobetterassist theirsettlement. This documentisdesignedasawaytoempowertheSudanesecommunity ofWyndhambyprovidingthemwithameanstohavetheirvoicesheard. Thisreportisalso acalltoaction togovernmentandnon-governmentserviceproviderstocreateinclusive programs,projectsandpoliciesthatmeettheparticularneedsoftheSudanesecommunity inWyndham.

1.2.What thisReport“Isnot”

Thisreportisnotacriticismormethodforcomplaintofthecurrentoperatingprocedures andpracticesofgovernmentandnon-governmentserviceprovidersinWyndham-infactit istheopposite. TheWyndhamHumanitarianNetwork’s(WHN)membershipandmethods ofpracticeand operating procedurescould reasonablybeviewedasa model of“Best Practice”for other local governmentareastoemulate.

This report is not a complete and comprehensive list of issues facing the Wyndham SudaneseCommunitybuta“withoutprejudice”snapshotofinformation gatheredfroma Sudaneseperspectiveontheafternoonofthe6thof April, 2008.

1.3.What doesthisReportseekto do?

Thisreportseekstoprovidegovernmentandnon-governmentserviceproviders, legislators, Federal,StateandLocal government witha documentthat addresses theissuesrelated directlytotheWyndhamSudanesecommunity. Itiscreatedwithaviewtoimproving and/orassistinginbettermeetingtheiruniqueneeds,thusleadingtore-engagementinto theWyndhamcommunity. Itcouldalsopotentiallybeviewedasacross-sectionofissues facingthewider AustralianSudaneseCommunity.

INTRODUCTION

2.1.TheForum

Onehundredandsixty-twoSouthSudanese men, womenandchildrengatheredatthe IramooCommunityCentrein WyndhamValeontheafternoon ofthe6thofApril,2008 togetherwith amultitudeof governmentandnon-governmentserviceproviders.

Itwasthefirst timethat virtuallythe entireSouthSudanesecommunityof Wyndhamhad cometogetherin oneplaceandwasrepresentedasoneentity. Ofthecommunityin attendance, 100 were adults and 62 were children, representing a great number of ethnicities and languages of the greater Sudan. Two interpreters (Arabic and Dinka) arrangedbythe WyndhamCityCouncilandthe SudaneseCommunityofWyndham respectivelywereutilised.

Theattendeescametodiscussandexaminethe complexityofissuesconfrontingand challengingtheSudan-born communityin Wyndham,in particular thoserelating toHealth, Police,Education,Family, Youth, Housing, LegalandEmployment1.

TheforumwasfundedbytheWyndhamCityCouncilthroughtheservicesoftheDirectorof

CommunityServices andtheSocialInclusionandPlanningUnit.

2.2.WhycreateaForum?

InthemonthsleadinguptotheformationoftheWHNSudanesesub-committee,anumber ofcomplaints werereceivedbytheWyndham CityCouncil Legislative Service andWerribee PoliceStation,pertaining tothebehaviour ofyoungSudanesepersonsin theWyndhamVale area. Complaintsrelatedtotheunlawfuldistributionofrubbishandgeneralmisbehaviour ofchildreninthestreetsuchasthrowingstones,abuseandaperceivedlackofsupervision of youngpeople.

Thesub-committeesubsequentlyconsultedwith Sudanesecommunityleadersand discovereda number of families andindividualswerefacingawiderrange of issuesincluding attacks ontheirhouses,racialtaunts,abuse,unreportedassaults,schoolbullying,lackof employment opportunitiesandafeeling oflack ofsupportfromgovernmentandnon- governmentagenciesandserviceproviders. Furtherinvestigationoftheissuesrevealeda general disengagement ofthe Sudanesecommunitywiththewider Wyndhamcommunity. Anecdotalevidencearisingoutofinformationprovidedtothesub-committeediscovered thatmanywerenotseeking orwerefindingittoodifficulttoseekout educationalservices (uponcompletionoftheir 510AMEPhours),health services,childcare,familyservices, sportingclubs, andin somecircumstances,employment.

ThisinformationfollowsthetrendreportedbytheAustralianBureau ofStatistics’ 2006 censusthat,“…among Sudan-born peopleaged 15yearsand over,theparticipation rate in thelabourforcewas40.3percentand theunemployedratewas28.5percent. The correspondingratesinthetotalAustralianpopulationwere64.6percentand5.2percent

1RefertoAppendixBfortheWyndhamSudaneseCommunityForumAgenda

respectively…themedianindividual weeklyincomefor theSudan-bornin Australia agedover

15yearsandoverwas$231,comparedwith$431foralloverseasbornand$488forall

Australia-born2.”

Thereare manyfactorsaffectingthesestatisticsincludingthehighproportionof Sudan-born personsstillparticipatinginEnglishasaSecondLanguage(ESL)classesatthetimethatthe

2006censustookplace. Atpresent,therearemuchfewerSouthSudaneseparticipatingin theseclassesas mosthavesincecompletedtheir 510AMEPhoursandtherehasbeen a slowdownof Sudan-bornhumanitarianentrantsintoAustralia.

Thesub-committeeagreedthattheSudan-borncommunity’sgeneraldisengagementwith servicesand therelationship withthewider communityhad thepotential tolead tomore serioussocial issuesand thatre-engagementwas urgentlyneeded.

Thesub-committeedecidedthatthefirststeptowardsachievingthiswastoorganise a communityconsultationforumthatwouldallowthe widercommunity,police,government andnon-governmentservicestolistentothevoicesoftheSudan-borncommunityresiding inWyndham. Theforumwasstructuredsothat wecouldbestcapturetheSudanese communityperspective oftheissuesfacing themin Wyndham,with theintentionof creating this reporttoassistintheirre-engagement.

2.3. Methodof GatheringInformation

Allparticipantswererequiredtocompletearegistrationformandreceived arandomly allocatedcolourednametaguponarrival. Childrenandyoungpeoplenotparticipatingin the forumweresupervised byWyndhamCityCouncil’s Youth Services.

Aftertheintroduction,speechesandsongs,theparticipantswereinformedthatthecolour oftheirnametagrepresentedthediscussiontopictheywereassignedto. Theattendees werethen movedtoseparateroomswheretheywere metbyagroupfacilitatortoopenly discuss their topic. The eight discussion groups focused on Health, Police, Education, Family,Youth,Housing,LegalandEmployment.

Theissuesraisedbyeachgroupweregatheredonbutcher’spaperandlatertranscribedinto a worddocumentwhich was then forwarded tothegroupfacilitators toextendupon.

2.4. Wyndham Humanitarian NetworkSudaneseSub-Committee

TheWHNSudanesesub-committeewascreatedasaresultofissuesaffectingtheSudan- bornWyndhamcommunitytabledattheWyndhamHumanitarianNetworkmeetingonthe

4thofFebruary,2008,bytheWyndhamCityCouncilandVictoriaPoliceMulticulturalLiaison

Unit. Acallforanexpressionofinterestformembersresultedintheformationofthesub- committee.

Thesub-committee metregularlyover thefollowingmonths to organisetheWyndham SudaneseCommunityForumandultimatelythisreport. MeetingswerechairedbyLeading Senior Constable Richard Dove and minutes and administration attended to by Perla Protacioof theWyndhamCityCouncil3.

2RefertoAppendixC, “TheSudan-bornCommunity”,DepartmentofImmigrationandCitizenship

3RefertoAppendixDforalistofWHNSudaneseSub-Committeemembers

EDUCATION

KeyIssues

Impact of agerestrictionsoncompletingsecondaryschool

Difficulty of combining study withwork

Difficulty forparentsandstudentsunderstandinga complex educationsystem

 Children droppingoutofschool

 Lack of computerskills

Lack of confidence andlowself esteem

No local access to classesto maintainfirstlanguage

Lack of assistance forparents totake controlandhelptheirchildren

Difficulty having qualifications recognised and accessing employment in area of

choice

Description of keyissues

Discussionofthekeyissueswaslivelyandpassionateandparentsandyoungpeoplewho participatedraisedsome veryimportantpoints. Manyissuesweresimplyalackof information,suchastherequestforhomeworkclubs whileotherswillrequirefutureaction, suchaslackofeducationaloptionsfor20-24yearolds.

Thereisafeelingthatthereisalackofeducationaloptionsfor20-24 yearolds whoaretoo oldtoentersecondaryschool onarrivalandtoo oldforprograms suchasVCAL. Many would liketheopportunitytotakeupschoolingratherthan gotowork,butfeeltheyareexcluded fromthesecondaryeducationsystembecause oftheirageand excluded fromthetertiary educationsystemduetointerruptedschooling.Formany,adultVCEisnotanoptionand higherlevelCertificateand/or Diploma coursesaretoodifficult. Manyfeelforcedintothe workforceintojobswheretheyfeel dissatisfied.

Thereisastrongexpectationfromfamiliesthatyoungpeoplewillundertakeparttimeor casual work to help support family still overseas.Many young people feel pressure to

contributefinanciallywhilestudying, makingitdifficulttokeepupwithhomeworkand assignments.Sometimes,thereis pressuretoleaveschool orstudytoundertakemorework.

Noaccesstoacomputerathomeandlack oftechnologyskillsimpactonyoung people’s learning.Meetingschool outcomesandstudyrequirementsisdifficultwithoutaccessto appropriatetechnology.Parentsfeelthattheylackthetechnologyskillsnotonlytoassist their childrenwith schoolwork butalsofor theirownlearningand employmentpurposes.

Parentsfeelstronglythattheirchildrenarebeingplacedinclassesaccordingtotheirage whentheydonothavethe language,literacy ornumeracyskillstocopewiththe level.They don’tunderstandthepracticeofautomaticpromotioninAustralianschools. Manyparents held thebelief thatit wouldbebettertostartchildrenin year levels accordingto their ability ratherthantheir age.

Young peopledisengaging frommainstreamschooling and ‘dropping out’isan important issuefor Sudaneseyouth andtheir families. Thereasons for this phenomenonare varied and complex.ManyyoungSudanesefeel pressuretowork,for thereasons outlined above. Often though,disengagementbyyoungSudaneseoccursasaresultoflackofpriorschoolingor experiencesofinterrupted schoolingwhichimpactontheabilitytocopewith theacademic demands of mainstreamschooling,particularlyin theseniorlevels(Years10-12). Parents worryabouttheir children losingconfidenceandself esteemandfeel theyneedtobebetter supportedattheschoollevelthantheycurrentlyare.Youngpeople studyingattertiarylevel feel thereshouldbemorestudent supportservicesavailable to themat TAFEandUniversity, if theyaretocopewith theacademic requirementsexpectedof them.

Sudaneseparentsregretnotbeing abletohelptheirchildrenwithschoolworkand want more opportunitiesavailabletothemtoimprovetheir own skills. Theyalsofeeltheyneed more parenting programs and assistance from service providers to help them “regain control”overtheiryoungpeople.Parentsalsofeelit’simportantfortheirchildrentohave theopportunitytomaintaintheirfirstlanguageandwouldlikethemtobeabletoaccess languageclassesin their local area.

Another issue which causes anxiety is that many Sudanese are not able to have qualificationsorexperiencegainedoverseas,recognisedatthesamelevelorrecognisedat allinAustralia.ThiscausesfeelingsoffrustrationandSudaneseadultsbelieveitmakesit hardtomovedirectlyintoemployment. Manyneed toupgradequalificationsandfeelit isa longanddifficult processwhichcanalso beexpensive.

Recommendations

ExplorationoftheeducationandtrainingoptionsforyoungSudaneseadultsaged20

to 24years

Targetededucationprogramsorworkshopstoempowerparentstounderstandthe

Australianeducationsystem

Accesstoalanguageschoolinthelocalcommunityforthemaintenanceoffirst

language

Improvedstudentsupportservicesatsecondary andtertiarylevels

CommunitydevelopmentinitiativestoimproveaccesstoinformationforSudanese familiesaroundeducational optionsavailable

EMPLOYMENT

KeyIssues

 Language barriers

 Limitontimeto undertakeESLclasses

 Transport

Insufficient communityrunlanguage classesinaccessible locations

Lack ofemployment forpeople withlittle ornoEnglish

Insufficient communityenterprisesrunbySudanesecommunity groups

Lack of formal qualificationsandavenuesto prove workskills

 Accessibility of childcare

Description of keyissues

Discussionaroundemployment highlightedtheconsiderable frustrationthat manySudanese experienceandhowmanyhavestruggledforsometimetoovercomethebarriersthat impactonthemgettingajob.

Languagebarriersareseen asasignificantbarriertoemployment. ManySudanesehave limitedEnglish languageskillsand lackconfidencespeaking English which discouragesthem fromresearching(telephoneorface-to-face),enquiringabout,andapplyingforwork.There isageneralfeelingthatthestandard510hoursofAMEPclassesisinsufficientformany adultswhohavenoinitialknowledgeofEnglishonarrival.DifficultylearningEnglishtoa levelsuitableforemploymentisanissuefacingtheSudaneseandmanyfeeladditional classes organisedwithintheirlocalcommunityand heldatconvenienttimeswouldbe beneficial.

ThedifferentlanguagesanddialectsspokenwithintheSudanesecommunity,meansthat theprovision ofinformationandservicesindifferentlanguagescanbefragmentedand inconsistent.Thereisageneralfeelingthatinformationaboutgovernmentand employment services, vocational courses, job opportunities and job search techniques can vary. Difficultiesunderstandingandfollowingcomplex procedures andforms, andlackof understanding ofAustraliancultural valuesandexpectationsintheworkplace arefurther significantbarriers fortheSudanese.

Thereisa strongbeliefthatdiscriminationagainstSudanesejobapplicantsisverycommon. ManyfeelthereisalackofworkopportunitiesforpeoplewithlimitedEnglish andlimited vocational skills. Manyarefrustrated atthelack ofrecognition ofanindividual’sskillsand experiencegained overseas.VeryfewSudanesehaveanyformal qualifications, yettheymay havea varietyof skills,training,andexperiencegainedoverseas.Thereisaconsensusthat thesearegenerallynotrecognised byAustralian employersas theyaredifficulttoverify. Several groupmembersfeelthereshouldbethe opportunitytohavetheseskillsassessedby othermeans.

Communityenterpriseswerediscussed withsomeSudanesefeelingthattheyareagood employment option.Communityenterprisescommonlyinvolvejobssuchas gardening, catering,homehandyman services,and bicycleorappliancerepairs. Manyfeel that supportedcommunityenterprises managedbythecommunityand forthecommunityare worthpursuing.

Lack ofprivatetransport andtheinaccessibility of publictransportisabigissuewhich prevents manyfromaccessingemployment.Manyemployers, vocationalcourses, governmentandemploymentservicesarenotreadily accessibleandgettingtothemcanbe verydifficult and timeconsuming. This is a significantbarrier for thoseSudanesewhoreside inWyndhamVale.

Accesstoaffordable childcareis another majorbarriertoemployment. Manyreferredtothe cycle of povertywherebypooreconomicresourcesmakeitdifficulttoaccesschildcare,find reliabletransport,andundertakevocationaltraining.Thisinturnimpactsontheabilityto find employment,perpetuating thelack ofresources. Thereisconcern thatthissituation leads to poor education and alienation of young Sudanese eventually contributing to ongoingintergenerationalpoverty.

Recommendations

Targetedtrainingofstaffin jobnetworkstoskillthemtoworkwith theSudanese

Explore communityenterpriseinitiativesasemploymentoptions

Lobby governmentforimprovedpublic transportandchildcare services

Improve access toinformationaroundemployment andtrainingservices

FAMILY

KeyIssues

The family’sability to provide adequateassistance forchildren’s education

Lack of informationonculturally appropriatemethodsof discipline

 Breakdownincommunicationwithinthefamilyunitaschildrenturn18yearsoldand

becomeindependent

 Moresupportforsingle parentsneeded

 Desire tofeelsocially included inthewidercommunity

 A need to feel safeathome

Description of keyissues

Thediscussiononfamilywas focused primarilyon external factorsthat affectthefamilyunit. Significantconcernswereexpressedregardingchildren’seducationandthechild’sabilityto

copewiththeclassleveltheyareenrolledin. DuetotheirownlackofEnglishproficiency,

parentsfelttheyareunabletoassistwiththeeducationneedsoftheirchildren(thisissue has been expanded uponunder‘Education’).

Some Sudanese parents felt there is a lack of information regarding the appropriate methodstodisciplinechildren. CulturallytheSudaneseemploydifferent methods of discipline. Conflictingmessagesarebeingreceivedassomeparentsfeeltheyarebeing askedtosimultaneouslyincreaseanddecreasethe level andtenacityof their discipline.

InSudan,the18year oldis notimmediatelyrecognisedasanadult. As18yearsinAustralia constitutesan adult,thishascreatedadegreeofcommunicationbreakdownandconflict withinthefamilyascultural norms areconfronted.

SingleSudaneseparentslivinginWyndhamfacecountlesschallenges. Fulfillingthe responsibilitiesoffamilycanbeseverelylimitedduetolanguagebarriers. Insomecases, children withEnglish languageskillsareforcedtointerpretfortheirparents withservice providers. Thiscanleavetheparentwithasenseofpowerlessness,andthechildbearing the weightof familyresponsibilities.

Astrongdesirewasexpressedtoberecognisedandwelcomedbythewidercommunity. In

Sudan,itiscustomarytotalkwithyourneighboursanddeveloparelationship. Thisdoesnot

oftenoccurinAustraliaanditisaveryisolatingexperienceformanySudanesesettlinginto a newcountry.

Incidents of vandalism, bullyingandracial tauntshavecreated afeelingof isolationandfear amongsttheSudanesecommunity. Someparentsfearleavingtheirteenagechildrenalone inthehomeas aresult.

Recommendations

 IncreaseEnglishsupportprogramstailoredto Sudanese adults

 Expandafterschool hours learningsupportprograms

 Ensureprofessionalismof service providersby usinginterpretersto communicatewith

parents

 Family relationship campaigns (in conjunction with a relevant legal education campaign)toeducatethe Sudanesecommunityaboutculturallyappropriatemethods

of discipline in Australia

 Community development initiatives to build relationships between the Sudanese community andthewiderWyndhamcommunity

HEALTH

KeyIssues

 Lack of knowledge and understanding about‘western’diseases

 Generalmistrustof GPs

 Desire tolearnmore aboutself-management and prevention

Description of keyissues

Theconcepts of‘western’ versus‘African’diseasesgenerated muchofthediscussionon health. Therewasadesiretolearnmoreaboutpreventingandscreening‘western’diseases suchascanceranddiabetes. Furthermore,concerns wereraisedaboutculturallyconflicting messagesfor diseasesthatwereseenas‘western’ andnottraditionally‘African’.

Forexample,skincanceris regardedasa ‘western’ diseaseand theSudaneseareconfused withthe conflicting‘slip,slop,slap’ messagesportrayedinthegeneralcommunityandthe advicegiventotheAfrican communitytospend moretimein thesunlighttoaccountfor VitaminDdeficiencies.

Similarly,thereisconfusionamongstthecommunityinregardstoanaemia,particularlyin women. Oneparticipantasked,“HowdidIgetthisdiseaseinmybody?”SomeSudanese groupsdonot eata lot ofred meatduetoreligiousand/orculturalreasons,butare concerned thattheymayhaveanaemiaand confusedas to howand why they’ve gotit.

Thereisgeneralscepticismand distrustamongsttheSudaneseof theGPstheyaccessin Australia. Some feel that Africans are treated differently and that GPs “just don’t understand ‘African’diseases”. Thereisageneral distrust ofdoctorsduetopast experiences of theSouthSudanese.

TheSudaneseoftenequateappropriatetreatmentbyGPsasreceiving medication. When theyareprescribedself-managementandpreventionadviceorreferredontootherdoctors or specialists,theyfeel theyarenotbeingadequately treatedbytheir GP.

Healthyeatingandphysicalactivitywerebrieflydiscussed, thoughnotnearlyenough.

Recommendations

 CommunitydevelopmentinitiativestoimprovetrustbetweenGPsandtheSudanese

community

 TargetedhealthcampaignsaimedatAfricancommunities,especiallyfordiseaseswith

conflictingmessages(e.g.VitaminD)

 HealthliteracycampaigntoeducatetheSudanesecommunityabout‘westerndiseases’

andself-management,preventionandscreening(includinginformationon physical andrecreationactivities)

 ConductafollowuphealthconsultationwiththeSudanesecommunityofWyndham, to explore theissuesinmore depth

HOUSING

KeyIssues

 MostSudanesepeoplearelivinginprivaterentalpropertiesorarehomeowners

(with amortgage)

 Lack of knowledgeaboutaccessing housingin Australia

 Lack of advocacy regardingthe quality ofrental properties

 Lack of awarenessof howto access thesupportthey need

 Supply shortageof public andprivatehousing

 Home loanratesandrepaymentsarecausingfinancialhardship

 Limitedunderstandingof homeloansandtheirimplications

Description of keyissues

Thediscussiononhousingrevealedalackofbasicknowledgeandunderstandingamongst theWyndhamSudanesecommunityabouthow the privaterentalsystemoperates,howto accessit,aswellastherightsandresponsibilitiesofthetenant. Difficultyinachieving successwhenapplyingforprivaterentalsisacommonexperience. Valueformoneyisnot being realisedin manycases,and manySudanesecommunitymembersfind itdifficultto accessthehelptheyneed. An expressionwas madeforincreasedadvocacyfromlocal governmentonthismatter.

Publichousingis seriously limited inthe Wyndhamarea. Manyof theSudaneseparticipants inthegroupexpressedalackofknowledgeonhowtoapplyforpublichousingandobtain thesupporttheyneedtofindsuitableaccommodation. Sudanesefamiliesareoftenquite large,makingitevenmore difficult tofindsuitableaccommodation.

Thehome owners(withmortgage)inthegroupfeltparticularlyvulnerableintheir commitmentsduetoalackofunderstandingabout mortgageoptionsand responsibilities, rates of interestand fluctuations,theproperty market,legal rightsand ramifications,and a needforgreaterfinancialandbudgetingskills. Thishasresultedinfinancialhardshipfor manyfamilies.

Recommendations

 PracticalandculturallyappropriateeducationcampaignstoeducatetheWyndham

Sudanesecommunity onpublic andprivatehousing, andhomeownership

 Targeted education campaigns to the Sudanese community about the the legal,

financial andpersonal ramificationsofhome ownership

 Advocacyfromserviceprovidersandlocalgovernmenttoincreasepublichousingin

Wyndhamto ensuresecurity andsustainability ofresidents

 Relationshipbuilding,campaignsandinitiativesbetweenrealestateagentsandthe

Wyndham Sudanesecommunity

LEGAL

KeyIssues

 Lackofawarenessandunderstandingaboutbasic legalrightsandresponsibilities,

includingthose relatingtoracial vilification

 Incomprehensionof acceptable andunacceptable methodsof discipliningchildren

 Misunderstandingof the legal role ofFederal,Stateand Localgovernment bodies

 Lack of knowledge on howto accesslegal assistance,legal aidandfamilyassistance

 Misunderstandingof therole of the police inprovidinglegal assistance

 More information needed on resolving neighbourhood disputes, including property

damage

 Moreinformationandeducationneededabouttheramificationsandresponsibilitiesof

enteringinto contracts

Description of keyissues

Thelegaldiscussiongroup revealedalackofunderstandingandcomprehensionaboutthe legalsysteminAustralia, includinghowlaws aremade,enforcedandinterpreted. The culturaltransferenceoflegalconceptsandapplicationofthelawfromSudantoAustraliahas created confusionandmisunderstandingofwhat is acceptablebehavior accordingto the lawin Australia. Thereis further miscomprehensionaboutthedifferentrolesand responsibilitiesatthethreelevelsofgovernment andtheirlegislativeandenforcement bodies.

A lack ofbasicknowledgeand understanding aboutAustralian lawamongsttheWyndham Sudanesecommunityhaswiderimplicationsonthedifferentissuesconfrontingthem. For example, there is great confusion about appropriate methods of disciplining children. Parentshave anenhancedfearofdiscipliningtheirownchildrenbecause theyfeelthe disciplinemethodsusedinSudanarenotacceptedorallowedinAustralia. Thisfearand misunderstandinghasledtoageneralinertiaarounddisciplineandthefeelingofhavinglost controlof theirchildren.

Generally, the Wyndham Sudanese community possesses insufficient knowledge or expertiserequiredtoaccesslegaladvice,aidandassistance. Inmanycircumstancesthey arecompletelyunawarethatthereisalegalbody thatcanrepresentthem. SomeSudanese stated thatitwasthepoliceresponsibilitytoinformthemand assistthemin accessing legal avenues.

Participantsin thediscussiongroupexpressedaneedformoreinformation on neighbourhooddisputeresolutionandtheirrightsinrelationtoracialvilification. Other than the police, it was generally viewed that there were no other avenues of representation,complaintor restitution.

Consumerrights,inparticularinrelationtoenteringintocontracts wereanotherlegalfacet thatcreatedmanyproblemsandmisunderstanding. Areasthatwereofparticularconcern were mortgage,building,housingandcarloansandcreditcontracts,aswellasthelegaland financial responsibilityfor signingup tophoneandenergyservices.

Recommendations

 Programs, projects and studies by the legal fraternity focusing on the Sudanese communitywhichleads togreatereducationandawarenessoflawprocessesand

legislation inAustralia

 Legal pamphletsanddocumentstranslated intorelevant Sudaneselanguages

 PromotionanddistributionofDVDs,pamphletsandotherexistinginformationwhich canassisttheWyndhamSudanesecommunitygainbetterknowledge,understanding

andaccesstolegal advicearoundrelevantissues

 Targetedcommunitypresentationsconductedbylegalrepresentativebodiesonhowto

accesslegal representationin Wyndham

 InformationandpresentationsconductedbyConsumerAffairsorotherrelevantbodies to the Wyndham Sudanese community on how to access relevant legal consumer

informationand make complaints

 Relevantgovernmentandsupportagenciestoconduct, presentanddevelopprograms

aroundissuesrelatingtoracial vilificationandneighbourhooddisputeresolution

 ExplorationoftheconceptofapermanentConsumerAffairsoutpostandaLegalAid

CALDCommunitiesOfficerlocated inWyndham

POLICE

KeyIssues

 Incidentsofphysicalandemotionalabusebylocalresidentsandpropertydamage

aimed atthe WyndhamSudanesecommunity

 Feedbackandbettercommunicationshouldresultfromreportingissuestopolice. At times,theWyndhamSudanesecommunityfeelstheirissuesandcomplaintsarenot

beingtaken seriously

 Complaints about the Wyndham Sudanese community are often exaggerated and sometimes false.Sudanese who commit crimes and do the wrong thing do not

necessarilyrepresentthewider Sudanese community

 GeneralfearofthepolicebytheWyndhamSudanesecommunity-policecouldbe

encouraged to befriendlier

 Basic customer service in banks, shops and other services is often denied to the

Wyndham Sudanesecommunity

 Itwouldbedesirableforpolicetouseinterpreterswhen issuesarebeingreportedby

the WyndhamSudanese community

 Policeare not alwaysresponsive to complaints

Description of keyissues

The conceptsofpolicing wereviewedby the Wyndham Sudanesecommunity asbeing central tothesolution of their issues. Duetoa general perceived lack of securityand safety withinthecommunity,theSudaneseindicatedthatpolicewererequired to domoreto ensuretheywerenottargetedforcrimeand harassment. Thereisagenerallack of confidence,fearand mistrustof policeandauthorityduetopreviousexperiencesinSudan and experiencesprior toarrivalinAustralia.

Experiencesofracismgeneratedmuchofthediscussion. Manyfamiliesarereluctantto leavetheirhomesduringthedaybecauseoftheperceptionandfearthatitisunsafetodo so. Insomeextremecircumstancesfamiliesweresleepingtogetherinlivingspaceswithin thehometofeelsafeandsecure. Somefamiliesreportedthattheyhadbeensubjectedto constantabuseand propertydamage.

TheSudanesefelttheirstarklydifferentphysicalappearancemadeitdifficulttoblendinto thewidercommunitythusleadingtoanumber ofissuesincludingracialabuseand discrimination. Forexample,thereisaperceivedinequalityin accessing and attainingbasic customerservicein banks,shops andother servicesas compared totherest of the community. TheSudanesecommunitybelievesthatitis orshouldbethepolice’s responsibilityto tackleracial abuseanddiscrimination.

IncircumstanceswhenmembersoftheSudanesecommunityhavecontactedpoliceabout anissue,theirEnglishproficiencyhascreatedabarriertoexplainingthefullextentofthe problemorincident. Asaresult,policesometimesdonottakethematterseriouslyor spendextratimeandresourceinvestigatingwhat hasactuallyoccurred ratherthanacting on thecomplaint. Itwasfeltthatpoliceshould usetelephoneinterpretersin ordertoimprove the communicationbetween policeandmembersoftheSudanesecommunity.

Concerns wereraisedinrelationtocircumstanceswhenpolicehavebeencalled andeither didnotattendorwerelatetoattendtothecomplaint. Insomeinstancesthepolicealso failedtotellthecommunitymemberoftheresultofthecomplaint. Itwasraisedthatthe policecansometimespresent asunfriendly,causing fearwithintheSudanesecommunity.

Negative and stereotypicalreporting and generalisationsabouttheSudanesein the mainstreammediacreatedconcernandfrustrationamongst theWyndhamSudanese community. It wasexpressedthatSudanesepeoplearegenerallya trustworthy, moral communitybuttheyareoftenrepresentedinthe mediaasbeingaproblem. Sudanese peoplewhocommit crimesor dothe wrong thingdonotrepresentthe widerSudanese community. Infact,theyaremorelikelytoberejectedbythecommunityitself. Itwas statedthatSudanesewho dothewrongthingshould notberepresentedas“Sudanese”by themediabecause otherpeople whocommitcriminalactsarenotrepresentedbytheir nationality.

Recommendations

 Conductafollowuppoliceforumorconsultation(s)withtheSudanesecommunityto

explore policing issuesin moredepth

 Policepresentations,including two-way communication opportunities,made tothe Wyndham Sudanese community (for example at local church gatherings, English classesandthroughlocalagencies)toassistinbetterinformingandeducatingthe

community aboutthe roleof thepolice in Victoria, theirlimitationsandprocedures

 Professionaldevelopmentofpolicemembersatthelocalstationon issuesaffectingthe

Sudanesecommunitywithafocusoncrosscultural awarenessandunderstanding

 FurthercommunitydevelopmentprogramsinvolvingorincludingpoliceandSudanese personssuchascamps,concerts,culturalanddancecelebrations,presentationsand

drivereducationprograms

 AttendanceofpoliceinuniformatSudaneseculturaleventsandcelebrationsasa strategytobreakdownthebarriersbetweenthepoliceandtheWyndhamSudanese

community

 ProvisionofacommunicationpathwaybetweentheSudanesecommunityandlocal

police throughrepresentativesmeetingonaregularbasisandexchanginginformation

 AdvocacyforpoliceuseofTelephoneInterpreterServicesforCALDvictimsofcrimeand personsrequiringassistance

YOUTH

KeyIssues

 Lack of transportation

 Educationandtraineeshipopportunitiesforyoungpeople

 Information about programsfornewlyarrivedyoungpeople

 Sponsorshipandgrantopportunities

 Communicationto parents

 Programmingofactivities andservicesforyoungpeople

Description of keyissues

Thereweretwodiscussion groupsheldattheforumregardingyouthissues.Thefirstgroup consisted onlyof adults andthesecondgroupwithyoungpeople aged12–19years.

Thekeyissuesthatadultsfeltweremostpertinentto youthrelated toeducation,sportand recreationactivities.

Inregardstoeducation, theadultsfeltthatSudaneseyouthshouldbeplacedinclasses accordingtotheirknowledgeandpreviousschoolinglevelratherthanbyage. Theyfelt thereshouldbegreateraccesstotraineeshipsandapprenticeshipsforyouth(theseissues are further discussed in‘Education’).

TheadultsfeltthatSudanese youngpeoplehavelimited opportunitiesfor sportand recreationduetocostsassociatedwithjoiningclubs. Sudaneseparentsfeelguiltyfornot beingabletoprovidetheiryouth withthe opportunitytoparticipateinsportandrecreation. They areoften unable to to meet the costs associatedwith participation (for example uniformand subscriptionfees)andcannotprovidetransportfortheirchildren toandfrom activities. Theyfeelthereareeitherlimitedornopublictransportoptionsfortheiryoung people to access sport and recreation activities and events. They suggested service providers providetransportfor youngpeopletoevents andactivities.

Theparents wouldlike theiryoungpeopletobe moreactiveandtoparticipateinextra curricular activities.However,thisisnotalwayspossibleduetooverlapping programsbeing deliveredbyserviceproviders. Theyalsofeelthatflyersrelating tosportand recreation should be translated so that they can understand and be involved in their children’s activities(forexample,membershipformsandparentalconsentforms)ratherthanrelying ontheirchildren totranslatetheinformation forthem.

Parentsdidn’tunderstandhowprogramscanonlybedirectedatcertainagegroups. Age- basedactivitiesorprogramsmeanthatnotalloftheirchildrencanparticipate inactivities. Theywantedmoreprogramsthatcancaterforfamilieswithlargenumbersofchildren spreadacrossanumberofagegroupssothatalltheirchildrencanparticipatetogetherin the oneactivityor program.

ThemainissueraisedbySudaneseyoungpeoplethemselves,wastransportation. Theyare aware ofprogramsandservicesprovided,however,theyarenotabletoaccess themdue to lackofpublicandprivatetransport,especiallyforafterhoursprograms. Theyoungpeople relied on walking as their main mode of transportation to any activities, services or programs. Theyoften walkinagroupwithotherSudaneseyoungpeopleforsafetyreasons toaccessextracurricular activitiesand asaresultthishasinadvertentlyledtothembeing subjectedtoracialabuseand accusedof beinga‘gang’.

Theyoungpeoplefeltfrustratedatnotbeingable toaccessprogramstheywantedto or couldbeinvolvedin,suchasprogramsrunattheYouthResourceCentre. Theolderyouth felttheywerefurtherrestrictedinparticipatinginactivitiesbecause ofthe responsibility of havingtotakecareoftheiryoungersiblings. Theyoungpeoplealsoexpressedadesirefor serviceprovidersandthecommunitytoprovideopportunitiestoattendfieldtripsasa group(Forexample,attendingfootball matches).

Recommendations

 Improvedcommunicationbetweenserviceproviderstobetterprogramextracurricular activitiestargetingSudaneseyoungpeople(e.g.homeworkclubs,sports,music)andto

avoidduplicationof servicesandschedules

 Provideinformationto serviceprovidersonexistingfundingandgrantopportunitiesfor

newly arrivedyoungpeopleto play sport

 Createmoresponsorshipandfundingopportunitiesfornewlyarrivedyoungpeopleto

participateinsportandrecreation

 AdvocacyontheneedforpublictransportintheWyndhamareaforyouthtoaccess

services,structured programsandextracurricularactivities

 Improveaccesstoinformationabouttraineeshipandapprenticeshipoptionsforyoung

people andtheirparents

 Provideopportunitiestotake Sudanese youngpeopleonfieldtrips

 Greaterinternalcommunicationwithinserviceproviders(includingschools)regarding sportandrecreationopportunitiesandprograms fornewly arrivedyoungpeople

AFTERWORD

Sincethe forum, several issuesraised onthedayhavealreadybeenfollowedupor areinthe processofbeingfollowedup.

SpiritWestServicessuccessfullyappliedforaSchool FocusedYouthServicesgranttorun a leadershipprojectwith Sudaneseyouth at MackillopCatholicRegional College andSudanese children atStAndrew’s PrimarySchoolin partnership withWyndhamYouth Services. This projectis duetocommenceinTerm3, 2008.

WyndhamCityCouncilhas fundedthemembershipof 15SudaneseyouthwiththeWerribee

‘Bees’SoccerClub.This includedassistingthem with membershipfees,uniformand equipment.

TheEducation workinggroupoftheWyndhamHumanitarianNetworktookup theissueof educational optionsfor 20-24 year olds. TheCentrefor MulticulturalYouthIssues(CMYI) fundedaforumwhichtookplaceonthe19th ofJune,2008entitled“TowardsaBright Future:ExploringtheEducationandTrainingissues facing20-24year oldRefugeesand HumanitarianEntrantsinWyndham.” A reporthas beenwrittenupfollowingthis forumand is availableonrequest.

TheWyndhamHumanitarianNetworkisintheprocessofdevelopinganactionplanbased onrecommendationsmadeinthebodyofthis report.

TheWyndhamHumanitarian NetworkSudanesesub-committeewill continuetomeetasa meanstoaddressthe issues facingthe WyndhamSudaneseCommunity.

AppendixA:GLOSSARYOFTERMS

AMEPAdultMigrantEnglishProgram

CALDCulturallyandLinguisticallyDiverse

DHSDepartment ofHumanServices

DIACDepartmentofImmigrationand Citizenship

ESLEnglish as a SecondLanguage

GPGeneralPractitioner

Refugee TheUnitedNations1951ConventionRelatingtotheStatusofRefugees,to whichAustralia isa signatory,definesrefugees aspeoplewho“are outsidetheir country ofnationalityortheirusualcountryofresidence;and areunableor unwillingtoreturn ortoseektheprotection ofthatcountryduetoawell- foundedfear ofbeing persecutedforreasons ofrace,religion,nationality, membershipof aparticularsocialgroup,or politicalopinion.”

Sudanese The‘Sudanese’referred toin thisdocumentarethoseresiding in theCity of Wyndhamand itisnotintended togeneralisetheSudanesepopulation in Victoriaasawhole. TheSudanesepopulationinWyndhamisitselfadiverse groupandwasrepresentedby various tribesontheday.

VCALVictorianCertificateof Applied Learning

WHNWyndhamHumanitarianNetwork

YouthA youngpersonbetweentheagesof12–25years

AppendixB:ForumAgenda

And the

WyndhamHumanitarianNetwork

AJOURNEYOFUNDERSTANDING

(AFORUMtolistentothevoicesofSudanesein

Wyndham)

Date:6 April2008

Time:1:00–4:00pm

Venue:IramooCommunity Centre

84Honour Avenue

WyndhamVale

PROGRAM

1:00 –1:30 / Arrival andRegistration
1:30 –1:40 / Masterof Ceremonies / L/S/CRichardDove
1:40 –1:45 / Welcome / Wyndham Mayor,CrKimMcAliney
1:45-1:50 / Victorian Multicultural
Commission / Andrew Vaugh-Young,Policy Officer, VMC
1:50 –2:20 / Listening to Sudanese
Stories / Mary Reik
Ajak Kwai
2:20 –2:50 / Workshop / Community breaking down into
groups
2:50–3:10 / Presentation of output
from each group
3:10 –3:20 / Dinka song / Ajak Kwai
3:20 onwards / BBQ and refreshments and
service providers engaging with the community
members / Everyone

AppendixC:TheSudan-bornCommunity

TheSudan-bornCommunity

HistoricalBackground

TheSudan-bornarecurrentlyoneofthefastestgrowinggroupsin Australia.Before2001theyincludedanumberofskilledmigrants. However,since2001whentheCensusrecorded4910Sudan-bornin Australia,morethan98 percenthavearrivedundertheHumanitarian Programme.

Drought,famineandwarhavecausedlargenumbersofSudanese refugeestofleetoneighbouringcountries.Australiahasassistedin resettlingsomeoftheworstaffectedpeoplefromtheregion.The AustralianGovernmenthasacceptedlargenumbersofmigrantsfrom theSudanandothercountriesundertheHumanitarianProgrammein recentyears.

Inthelast10yearsaround20000Sudan-bornpeoplehavemade Australiatheirnewhome.MostliveinVictoriaandNewSouthWales and,toalesserextent,Queensland.

The4910Sudan-bornpeopleinAustraliaatthe2001Censusmade up0.1percentoftheoverseas-bornpopulation.

Today

Geographicdistribution

ThelatestCensusin2006recorded19050Sudan-bornpeoplein

Australia,anincreaseof287.7percentfromthe2001Census.The

2006distributionbystateandterritoryshowedVictoriahadthe largestnumberwith6210followedbyNewSouthWales(5980), Queensland(2400)andWesternAustralia(2020).

Ageandsex

ThemedianageoftheSudan-bornin2006was24.6yearscompared with46.8yearsforalloverseas-bornand37.1yearsforthetotal Australianpopulation.Theagedistributionshowed26.6percentwere aged0-14years,24.4percentwere15-24years,36.4percentwere

25-44years,10.2percentwere45-64yearsand2.5percentwere

65andover.

OftheSudan-borninAustralia,therewere10320males(54.2per cent)and8730females(45.8percent).Thesexratiowas118.2 malesper100females.

Ancestry

Inthe2006Census,thetopthreeancestryresponses*thatSudan- bornpeoplereportedwere,Sudanese(12680),NotStated(1420) andAfrican,sodescribed(890).

Inthe2006Census,Australiansreportedmorethan250different Ancestries.Fromthetotalancestryresponses*,0.1percent respondedashavingaSudaneseancestry.

*Atthe2006Censusup totworesponsesperpersonwereallowedfor theAncestryquestion;thereforeprovidingthetotal responsesand

notpersonscount.

Language

ThemainlanguagesspokenathomebySudan-bornpeoplein AustraliawereArabic(51.2percent),Dinka(23.6percent)and AfricanLanguages,nec(5.5percent).