Returning: Insight

Insight returns to SBS with a discussion on “child warriors.”

Host Jenny Brockie speaks directly to people who either chose or were forced to join extreme causes as children, now living right here in Australia.

From the Chinese Revolution and The Troubles in Northern Ireland, to conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa, children have been exposed to extreme situations that can have a lasting effect on their future.

They bravely open up to Brockie about what they went through, how they were trained, and how they deal with feelings of guilt and betrayal as adults.

Guests include:
Frank Meeink
Frank was indoctrinated into the neo-Nazi skinhead movement at the age of 14. He grew up in a violent home in the United States and was attracted to the movement because he liked being feared. He freely admits to violent behaviour. At the age of 17 he was charged with aggravated battery and unlawful restraint, and ended up in prison. He gradually abandoned his beliefs.

Deng Adut
When he was a very young child, Deng was taken from his family and trained to be a soldier in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. He was often beaten and tortured for disobedience and had close friends who were killed. He also witnessed many killings by firing squad. At one point he tried to commit suicide. He is now a lawyer living in Sydney.

May Hu
May is a Chinese Australian who was a child during China’s Cultural Revolution. Her father was put in prison because he was educated overseas. May was coerced by the Communist Red Guard to convince her father to dob in his associates. May says she still carries a lot of guilt for doing that.
Heinz Tiemoreit
Heinz joined the Hitler Youth when he was eight. It was compulsory. He says he was taught life skills including cooking and cleaning. He also says the movement was about teaching boys to be soldiers. He now lives in Melbourne.

Tuesday 12 February, 8.30pm on SBS ONE.