Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

Children have a most invidious situation in refugee and immigration assessments. They aredependent on their family, but often form the focus for a family’s attempt to stay in a country,hence creating a terrible burden of responsibility in the child. The paper explores the researchliterature on identity, attachment and the impacts of trauma on children, and relocation in thecontext of a case study of the Subcontinent children seeking to exercise the right to remain inAustralia after their parents have been denied a visa. The case study is particular poignant as theunique stressors of the protracted battle to stay in the country led to family breakdown, and thecase study explores the impact on the children of having to choose which parent to support, andwhich to “abandon” in the resulting Family Court battle, contiguous with the Federal Court Visaappeal.Just When You Thought Things Couldn’t Get Worse: Being an InternationalStudent in Australia when the Unexpected HappensLiz Mackdacy, LSC Psychology, Sydney, Australia (lmackdacy@lscpsych.com.au)Some young people arriving in Australia on Student Visas wish to return to their country oforigin on course completion with knowledge and skills to assist them in gaining rewarding jobsand supporting their families. Some wish to remain in Australia upon completion of theircourses. In both cases, unexpected difficulties can emerge to put their studies and visa at risk.These include: unexpected illness; mental health concerns; cultural clashes; falling in love;sexuality; “drama” back home, such as deaths, divorces and economic strain; wrong coursechoices; and so on. Cases will be presented to illustrate the complexity encountered bypsychologists when assessing such matters, against the possibility of visa cancellation andimpacts such as returning home as a “failure” and with serious mental health concerns.32. Considerations on Setting the First Canadian Examination onForensic PsychiatryIntroductionGraham Glancy, University of Toronto (graham.glancy@utoronto.ca)Last year the Royal college of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada finally granted subspecialtystatus to Forensic Psychiatry, the culmination of a 20 year process. It was decided that therewould be no "grandfathering', in other words everybody had to take the exam. Council appointeda committee who with consultation with the College, set about writing an exam. Members of thecommittee will discuss and reflect on this process.82