Can we make a difference? Prejudice towards asylum seekers in Australia and the effectiveness of antiprejudice interventions

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Abstract

Over the past few decades, Australia has implemented increasingly restrictive measures to try and deter the arrival of asylum seekers. In our article, we review what is known in the literature about the antecedents of prejudice against asylum seekers. We outline 11 mechanisms, or variables, as being particularly important. We then draw out the practical implications as they relate to antiprejudice interventions. Within the research and implications, we discuss our own experiences of working directly with asylum seekers over the past decade and in running antiprejudice interventions. We conclude that even though the situation is bleak in Australia at the time of writing this article (at the end of 2014), we must continue with attempts to combat the demonisation of asylum seekers both on an individual level and a structural level.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to build welcoming and inclusive communities?

Numerous interventions to build welcoming and inclusive communities are available, with varying degrees of evidence of effectiveness. Strong evidence supports the effectiveness of structured, facilitated contact-based interventions and bystander interventions in reducing ethnic prejudice and improving well-being of people targeted by racism. Suggestive evidence specific to foreign-born groups is consistent with these findings. Strong evidence […]

About this study

AGE: Multiple Age Groups

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Australia

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Varies

INTERVENTION: Anti-prejudice intervention

OUTCOME AREA: Inclusive Communities

POPULATION: LGBTQI+ Clients

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Literature synthesis

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2015

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