Following a petition that garnered some 62,000+ signatures, a Somalian refugee who was “brutally raped” on Nauru, and left “helpless and pregnant” has at last been brought to Australia for an abortion and post-sexual assault care.
Abyan (not her real name), 23, was 12 weeks pregnant when Malcolm Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton finally granted permission to let her come to Australia from Nauru, where abortion is illegal.
“She has only recently arrived and is finding her bearings after many weeks without treatment,” her Sydney-based lawyer George Newhouse told P.TV.
It took Turnbull and Dutton over a week to answer her pleas. After a response deadline Newhouse had given the government came and went, he told Fairfax: “I don’t know what’s wrong with the system but their failure to respond comes across as cruel and heartless. Time is quickly running out, this is not a joke, a traumatised and vulnerable woman’s health and safety is at stake.”
Speaking to P.TV, he’s again criticised a system which puts vulnerable people in harm’s way.
“Women and children are vulnerable on Nauru and need to be protected physically and emotionally.”“There needs to be an independent scrutiny of their treatment on Nauru, both in and out of detention.”
“The Australian Federal Police need to sensitively investigate all assault claims, especially sexual assault.”
He would not confirm whether or not Abyan, who is staying in detention accommodation in Australia, is still awaiting the abortion.
On Monday, he did pass on to Fairfax her message of thanks to the Australian public (including all you legends who signed Newhouse’s Change.org petition) for their support, and thanks to Turnbull and Dutton for their understanding.
If you have experienced sexual assault, call 1800 RESPECT for 24/7 counselling on 1800 737 732.
