British people must not be embarrassed to show compassion

Susan Munroe, Freedom from Torture Chief Executive, responds to this week’s closure of the Calais camp and resettlement of unaccompanied children.

This week sees the dismantling of the camp at Calais and public attention once again turned towards Britain’s response to the refugee crisis. Whilst negative rhetoric around refugees has taken a disturbing turn in parts of the press, a few leading celebrities and politicians have dared to raise their heads above the parapet to speak in support of refugees.

We know many unaccompanied children and young people have survived or witnessed torture. Referrals to Freedom from Torture’s doctors and therapists of unaccompanied children who have been tortured have trebled since 2012. The children in Calais need a place of sanctuary and appropriate specialist services to support their rehabilitation. These children cannot be left to suffer further trauma and exploitation.

It is legitimate to have discussions about the Home Office asylum process. But amidst these discussions – such as recent debates about the ages of children arriving in Britain from Calais – we mustn’t lose sight of our moral duty and proud tradition of helping refugees, many of whom are torture survivors. British people must not be embarrassed to show compassion.