Anti-oppressive practice with people seeking asylum in Australia: reflections from the field

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors reflect on their practice of working with people seeking asylum in Australia over nearly two decades. There is significant confusion around the labels that define who is and who is not a refugee in Australia and other countries. Australia’s response to refugees and asylum seekers cannot be understood without also understanding that racism and exclusion have been central to the nation’s development and its immigration policy. Anti-oppressive social work is one of a number of approaches that fits within the overarching tradition of critical social work. Anti-oppressive and anti-discriminative approaches to social work practice came out of the UK and Canada. Anti-oppressive practice with people seeking asylum requires understanding the experience of oppression and privilege and a commitment to personal, cultural and structural change. It offers a framework for practice with asylum seekers that is aligned to the profession’s ethical commitment to human rights, and strives for social justice and social change.