| Child detention centre harm documented |
By: Rebecca Hubbard
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Posted: Thursday, September 9, 2010 9:35 am
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A medical charity has claimed that it has documented for the first time the effects on children facing removal from the UK when placed in immigration detention.
The charity, Medical Justice, looked at 141 cases over six years. They send doctors into removal centres to help those that need treatment.
It was reported by the documentary that more than 70 children were suffering psychological harm. An eight-year-old girl was one of six that were having suicidal thoughts. Three of the girls had attempted to kill themselves.
The government claims that it plans to end child detention as soon as possible.
The report reviewed a sample of cases between 2004 and this year in which it had been documented by clinicians with medical evidence that children were being harmed by detention.
In the 74 cases, where approximately half were reported to be suffering some form of psychological harm, the charity had been able to carry out further assessments. It was found in all of those cases that concerns supported the initial reports.
Children were often found to be regressing in their development, meaning they were often bed wetting and refusing to eat, said the charity. |
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