SBS's flagship forum, Insight, returns for another year of compelling first person stories and fiery debate at 8.30pm Tuesdays.

Insight opens the season with an extraordinary look at child warriors. Former child soldiers live right here in Australia, a world away from their childhood violence. Host Jenny Brockie speaks directly to people who either chose or were forced to join extreme causes as children, in a variety of circumstances.

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.