Criminal engagement and Australian culturally and linguistically diverse populations: Challenges and implications for forensic risk assessment

There is a growing need for effective cross-cultural forensic health service delivery as Australia’s population becomes increasingly diverse. The fastest growing migrant populations are of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) origin and many refugees resettle in Australia through humanitarian intake programmes. As such it is important to ascertain whether there are cultural differences across factors that may directly or indirectly increase engagement in criminal behaviour. Similarly the applicability of violence risk instruments to Australian CALD populations is heavily under-researched and requires attention. This review addresses both key issues in an Australian context. Key risk items that may impact upon the criminal involvement of Australian CALD populations are identified and a review of violence risk studies with CALD populations is performed. Findings are discussed in view of a growing need for systemic cultural competence in the forensic health sector.