A WAVE of fear pervades many of the refugees who come to Australia.
These fears are exacerbated when they arrive and are dumped for months at a time in detention centres and treated like prisoners.
The allegations of sexual abuse of women and children at the Woomera detention centre will only worsen the morale and fears among these people whose main hope is for a safe home.
Government guarantees of humane treatment lack credence when such reports of abuse come to light.
A new watchdog needs to be appointed to ensure the safety of refugees.
