2008
December 2008
The International Rehabilitation Council for Tor-
ture Victims (IRCT) is an independent, interna-
tional health professional organisation that pro-
motes and supports the rehabilitation of torture
victims and works for the prevention of torture
worldwide.
Based in Denmark, the IRCT works in collabora-
tion with a global network of 142 rehabilitation
centres and programmes worldwide. The IRCT
also works in partnership with governments,
human rights organisations, health profession-
al organisations and intergovernmental organi-
sations.
IRCT member centres
The organisation has special consultative status
IRCT member centres and programmes
with the UN Economic and Social Council, par-
ticipatory status with the Council of Europe and
observer status with the African Commission on
Human and People’s Rights. and programmes
The IRCT works closely with health professional
organisations, including the World Medical As-
sociation (WMA), the World Psychiatric Associa-
tion (WPA), the International Council of Nurses
(ICN), and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR).
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
 The IRCT gratefully wishes to acknowledge
the following for their support:
IRCT member centres and programmes

© International Rehabilitation Council Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

for Torture Victims (IRCT), 2008 Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The OAK Foundation
IRCT
Borgergade 13 The Sigrid Rausing Trust
PO Box 9049 European Commission
1022 Copenhagen K Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Denmark
Norwegian Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Phone: +45 33 76 06 00 Canadian Embassy in Cairo
Fax: +45 33 76 05 00 Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
irct@irct.org
Foreign & Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom
www.irct.org
Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Layout and production:
PAFF Produktion, pf@paffpro.dk

ISBN 87-88882-18-7 The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of

Torture
Disclaimer: The IRCT has attempted to ensure that the data Inge Genefke and Bent Sørensen’s Anti-Torture
contained in this directory are updated and accurate. However, in Support Foundation
some instances, centres and programmes were unable to provide
new information about their activities and therefore some entries And a number of private foundations and individual
are derived from the 2006 edition of this directory. donors
 December 2008

IRCT member centres

and programmes

International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims




Welcome to the global directory of IRCT member
centres and programmes
This directory provides detailed information about the
IRCT’s member centres and programmes. Here you will
find everything from addresses and phone numbers to
information about each centre’s treatment methods and
research activities.
The centres and programmes on the following pages are
part of an ever-growing organisation. At the threshold of
2009 the IRCT comprises 142 centres and programmes
covering 73 countries.
While the IRCT member centres work under very different
and not seldom dangerous circumstances – like in Iraq,
DR Congo and Sudan – they share a common goal: to
support torture survivors’ right to medical, psychologi-
cal, legal and social assistance regardless of who and
where they are.

Foreword
The work on the ground is carried out by thousands of
doctors, psychologists, lawyers, social workers and oth-
ers who – often on a voluntary basis - do their utmost to
assist a total of some 100,000 torture survivors and their
families every year. The IRCT General Secretariat in Co-
penhagen and its liaison office in Brussels support their
work through fundraising, advocacy and technical as-
sistance as well as facilitation of advanced learning and
sharing of best practices. Moreover, the General Sec-
retariat collaborates with member centres to establish
treatment services in countries where torture survivors
have limited or no access to such services.
It is my hope that this directory will be of help to those
courageous persons who have survived torture and now
seek the support they deserve and are indeed entitled to
in order to rebuild their lives.
Brita Sydhoff
Secretary-General
IRCT
Index

Albania Brazil
Albanian Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma and Grupo Tortura Nunca Mais/Rio de Janeiro (GTNM/RJ) 27
Torture Victims – (ARCT ) 8
Bulgaria
Argentina Assistance Centre for Torture Survivors (ACET) 28
Argentine Team of Psycho-Social Work and Re-
search (EATIP) 9 Cambodia
Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) 29
Armenia
Armenian Rehabilitation and Development Centre Cameroon
for Torture Victims (ARDCEN-TV) 10 Centre for Rehabilitation and Abolition of Torture
(CRAT) 30
Australia Trauma Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of
Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Violence and Torture (TCC) 31
Survivors Inc. (ASeTTS) 11
Companion House Assisting Survivors of Torture Canada
and Trauma 12 Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) 32
Melaleuca Refugee Centre Torture and Trauma Health and Wellness Program for Survivors of
Survivor Service NT 13 Torture and Trauma at the Edmonton Mennonite-
Phoenix Centre - Support Service for Survivors of Centre for Newcomers 33
Torture and Trauma 14 Intervention Network for Persons having been
Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of subjected to Organised Violence (RIVO) 34
Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) 15 Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture
STARTTS – NSW Service for the Treatment and (VAST) 35
Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors 16
Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Chad
Rehabilitation Service Inc. (STTARS) 17 Youth for Peace and Non violence Association/Vic-
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture tim of torture and Rehabilitation Centre (AJPNV/
Inc. (VFST, also known as Foundation House) 18 CRVT) 36

Austria Chile
HEMAYAT - Organization for Support of Survivors of Center for Mental Health and Human Rights
Torture and War 19 (CINTRAS) 37
Society for Victims of Organised Violence and
Human Rights Violations (OMEGA Health Colombia
Centre) 20 Corporación AVRE – Psychosocial Accompaniment
ZEBRA – Intercultural Centre for Counselling and and Assistance on Mental Health to Victims of
Psychotherapy 21 Political Violence 38

Bangladesh Congo DR
Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Centre OASIS for Health and Human Rights (OASIS) 39
Victims (BRCT) 22 The Psycho-Medical Center for the Rehabilitation
Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors of Torture Victims (CPMRVT/SOPROP) 40
(CRTS) 23 SAVE CONGO 41

Bolivia Croatia
Institute of Therapy and Researchabout Torture International Rehabilitation Centre for Torture
Sequels and State Violence (ITEI) 24 Victims (IRCT Zagreb) 42

Bosnia and Herzegovina Denmark

Association for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims OASIS - Treatment and Counselling for Refugees 43
– Centre for Torture Victims (CTV) 25 Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture
Vive Žene, Center for Therapy and Rehabilitation 26 Victims (RCT) 44
Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims - Jutland
(RCT-Jutland) 45
Index

East Timor Hungary

International Catholic Migration Commission Cordelia Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Vic-
(ICMC) 46 tims of Torture 62
Timor Aid – Tulun Rai 47
India
Ecuador Centre for Care of Torture Victims (CCTV) 63
Foundation for Integral Rehabilitation of Violence Centre for Organisation Research & Education
Victims (PRIVA) 48 – Community Programme for Young Survivors of
Torture (CORE) 64
Egypt Shubhodaya Center for Rehabilitation of Victims
El Nadim Center for Psychological Management of Torture and Violence (SCRVTV) - Society for
and Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence 49 Social Research, Art and Culture (SOSRAC) 65
Tibetan Torture Survivors’ Program (TTSP) 66
Ethiopia Torture Prevention Center India Trust (TOP India
Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture in Trust) 67
Ethiopia (RCVTE) 50 Vasavya Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims
(VRCT) 68
Finland
Centre for Torture Survivors in Finland (CTSF) 51 Indonesia
Alliance of Democracy for Papua (ALDP) 69
France International Catholic Migration Commission/
Parcours d’Exil 52 Survivors of Torture Program (ICMC/SOT) 70
Rehabilitation Action for Torture Victims in Aceh
Georgia (RATA) 71
EMPATHY, The International Psycho-Rehabilitation
Centre for Victims of Torture, Violence and Pro- Iran (Islamic Republic of)
nounced Stress Impact (RCT, EMPATHY/Georgia) 53 Organization for Defending Victims of Violence
The Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical (ODVV) 72
Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT) 54
Iraq
Germany Bahjat Al Fuad Rehabilitation Centre for Torture
Berlin Center for the Treatment of Torture Victims Victims (BFRCT) 73
(bzfo) 55
Exilio – Help for Migrants, Refugees and Victims Ireland
of Torture e.v. 56 SPIRASI Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture
Medical Care Service for Refugees Bochum (MFH) 57 (CCST) 74
REFUGIO Centre for Treatment, Counselling and
Psychotherapy for Victims of Torture, Expulsion Italy
and Violence in Schleswig-Holstein inc. 58 NAGA-HAR Centre for Refugees and Torture Victims 75
VI.TO. - Hospitality and Care for Victims of Torture,
Greece Italian Council for Refugees (CIR) 76
Medical Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims
(MRCT) 59 Kenya
Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) 77
Guatemala Mwatikho Torture Survivors Organization
Office of Human Rights of the Archbishop of Guate- (MATESO) 78
mala (ODHAG) 60
Kosovo
Honduras Kosova Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims
Centre for Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilita- (KRCT) 79
tion of Victims of Torture and Their Relatives
(CPTRT) 61 Lebanon
Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture
(KRC) 80
Restart Centre for Rehabilitation of Victims of
Torture and Violence 81


Index

Liberia Poland
Prisoners Assistance Program Torture Victims’ The Centre for Victims of Political Persecution
Rehabilitation Center (PAP) 82 Chair in Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University, Col-
legium Medicum (CVPP) 101
Mexico
Collective against Torture and Impunity (CCTI) 83 Romania
ICAR Foundation 102
Moldova (Republic of) Medical Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims
Medical Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims - Craiova (MRCT Craiova) 103
- “Memoria” (RCTV “Memoria”) 84 Medical Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims,
Iasi, Romania (MRCT Iasi) 104
Morocco
Forum for Truth and Justice – Reception and Orien- Russia
tation Center for Victims of Torture in Morocco Interregional Non-governmental Organization
(CAOVT) 85 “Committee Against Torture” (INGO CAT) 105
Medical Association for Rehabilitation of Torture
Victims (AMRVT) 86 Rwanda
Forum for Activists against Torture and Violence
Nepal (FACT) 106
Centre for Victims of Torture Nepal (CVICT) 87
Senegal
Netherlands VIVRE/CAPREC – VIVRE (Rehabilitating Victims of
De Evenaar, Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry Violence) is the health care centre of CAPREC
North Netherlands Department of GGZDrenthe, (African Centre for the Prevention and Resolution
Community Mental Health Organization 88 of Conflicts) 107
Foundation Centrum ‘45 89
Psychotrauma Centrum Zuid Nederland 90 Serbia
IAN Center for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims
New Zealand (IAN CRVT) 108
Wellington Refugees as Survivors Trust 91
Sierra Leone
Nigeria Community Association for Psychosocial Services
Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (CAPS) 109
(PRAWA) 92
South Africa
Pakistan Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconcilia-
SACH - Struggle for Change 93 tion/Programme: Trauma and Transition Pro-
gramme (TTP) (CSVR) 110
Palestinian Territory (Occupied) Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Tor-
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme ture (TCSVT) 111
(GCMHP) 94
Jesoor for Trauma Recovery 95 Sri Lanka
Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Family Rehabilitation Centre (FRC) 112
Torture (TRC) 96
Sudan
Paraguay Amel Center for Treatment & Rehabilitation of
ATYHA Mental Health and Human Rights 97 Torture Victims (ACTRVT) 113

Peru Sweden
Center of Psychosocial Attention (CAPS) 98 The Red Cross Centre for Tortured Refugees 114
The Swedish Red Cross Center for Victims of Tor-
Philippines ture and War, Malmoe 115
BALAY Rehabilitation Center, Inc. 99 The Swedish Red Cross Centre for Victims of Tor-
Medical Action Group, Inc. (MAG) 100 ture and War, Skövde (RKC) 116
The Swedish Red Cross Centre for Victims of Tor-
ture, Uppsala 117


Index

Switzerland Survivors International (SI) 143

Consultation for Victims of Torture and War (CTG) 118 Survivors of Torture, International (SURVIVORS) 144
Outpatient Clinic for Victims of Torture and War Torture Treatment Center of Oregon (TTCO) 145
(AFK), Swiss Red Cross 119
Uruguay
Turkey Servicio de Rehabilitación Social (SERSOC) 146
Centre of Social Action, Rehabilitation and Read-
justment for the victims of torture (SOHRAM- Venezuela
CASRA) 120 Network for the Support of Justice and Peace 147
Foundation for Social and Legal Studies (TOHAV) 121 (RED DE APOYO)
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT)
- Adana Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre 122 Zimbabwe
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT) Counselling Services Unit (CSU) 148
- Ankara Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre 123
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT)
- Diyarbakir Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre 124
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT)
- Istanbul Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre 125
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT)
- Izmir Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre 126

Uganda
African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of
Torture Victims (ACTV) 127

Ukraine
International Medical Rehabilitation Center for the
Victims of Wars and Totalitarian Regimes (IRC) 128

United Kingdom
Refugee Therapy Centre (RTC) 129

United States of America

ACCESS Psychsocial Rehabilitation Center for
Victims of Torture 130
Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma
(ASTT) 131
Asian Americans for Community Involvement,
Center for Survivors of Torture (AACI)/(CST) 132
The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture 133
Center for Survivors of Torture, Dallas (CST) 134
The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) 135
FIRST Project - For Immigrants and Refugees Sur-
viving Torture 136
Florida Center for Survivors of Torture - A Program
of Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services 137
International Survivors Center (ISC) at the Interna-
tional Institute of Boston (IIB) 138
Lutheran Children and Family Service/Liberty
Center for Survivors of Torture (Liberty Center) 139
Program for Survivors of Torture and Severe
Trauma at the Center for Multicultural Human
Services (PSTT/CMHS) 140
Program for Torture Victims Los Angeles (PTV) 141
Rocky Mountain Survivors Center (RMSC) 142


Albania

Albanian Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma and Torture

Victims (ARCT)

Training seminar on torture with law students

Primary objective(s) to the psycho-social and legal as- Contact

• To offer medical, psychosocial, sistance of survivors of torture. Rr. Kont Urani, No. 10
Tirana
legal and social assistance Albania
to victims of torture and their Networking
families The Albanian Rehabilitation Cen- Phone: +355 42 565 22
Fax: +355 42 354 88
• To conduct research and to doc- tre for Trauma and Torture Victims arct@albmail.com
ument the consequences of tor- (ARCT) is a full rights member of www.arct.org
ture and its impact on society the OMCT (World Organization
Established
• To organise trainings for police Against Torture), APT (Association 1994
staff, health professionals, edu- for the Prevention of Torture), IRCT
Director(s)
cational staff and other profes- (International Rehabilitation Coun- Adrian Kati, Executive Director
sionals cil for Torture Victims), RCT (Reha-
• To publish expert and informa- bilitation and Research Center for Contact person(s)
Adrian Kati
tive materials on trauma, tor- Torture Victims), and a partner of
ture, and mental health Amnesty International and found- Staff
• To report to human rights inter- ing member of BAN (Balkan Net- 1 general practitioner
1 nurse
national agencies on the torture work Against Torture). 1 sociologist
situation in Albania. 1 neurologist/counsellor
1 physiotherapist
2 psychiatrists
Treatment 3 psychologists
ARCT is the only rehabilitation cen- 1 legal advisor
tre caring for victims of the past 1 documentalist
1 web master
totalitarian regime in Albania, by
helping them to overcome prob- Working language(s)
Albanian, English
lems and difficulties and respect-
ing the psychological pain of many
victims of torture. Rehabilitation of Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
torture victims is currently one of
the most important yet unresolved
issues, more than ever in need of
timely solutions for all the victims.
ARCT is trying to widen its services
to include new victims of police
mistreatment in prisons and police
stations. Special attention is given

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: experimental testimony therapy,
Psychiatric home visits and follow-ups, supervision,
assistance to women in prison, voluntary
Referrals home care and social cohesion groups
Social welfare
Family-based treatment


Argentina
Argentine Team of Psycho-Social Work and Research
(EATIP)
Members of EATIP (2008)
Primary objective(s)
• To give free psycho-therapeutic
treatment to those affected by
human rights violations
• To contribute to the fight against
torture and other human rights
violations
• To contribute in teaching and
research to train students and
professionals in our specific
field
• To develop tasks of promo-
tion, diffusion and prevention
in mental health and human
rights
• To strengthen regional and glo-
bal professional exchanges.
Treatment
Clinical means include: individual
and linking (couple, family, group
and workshops) psycho-thera-
peutic approaches from a clinical
and psycho-social perspective,
crisis interventions and jail visits,
medical assistance, and referrals
to other specialists through an
external network. EATIP attends
to people affected by the last mili-
tary dictatorship, people affected
by new forms of political and social
repression and community groups
vulnerable to psycho-social prob-
lems.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Interventions in crisis and
Psychiatric visits to jails and police stations
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Commemoration of the repudiation to the coup
of 1976 (March 24, 2007)
Training
Teaching and professional training
occurs in universities as well as na-
tional/foreign institutions.
Research
Clinical-theoretical research is
conducted on subjects of interest
(e.g. transgenerational transmis-
sion of trauma).
Legal
EATIP conducts legal assessments
on human rights issues and fosters
the creation and application of
specific legal instruments (Istan-
bul Protocol).
Information and advocacy
EATIP has published articles and
scientific papers in many special-
ised publications and the books:
“Efectos psicosociales de la
represión política” (1986); “La im-
punidad. Una perspectiva psicoso-
cial y clínica” (1995); “Paisajes del
dolor, senderos de esperanza”
(2002); “Efectos psicológicos y psi-
cosociales de la represión política
y la impunidad. De la dictadura
a la actualidad” (2005); “Por-ve-
nires de la memoria. Efectos psi-
cológicos multigeneracionales de
la represión de la dictadura: hijos
de desaparecidos” (2007).

Networking Contact
EATIP is a member of the Latin Av. Rivadavia 2206, Piso 5,
Dpto. “A”.
American and Caribbean Network C1034ACO
of Health Institutions against Tor- Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Argentina
ture, Impunity and Other Human
Phone: +54 11 495 156 07
Rights Violations. Fax: +54 11 495 220 87
eatip@eatip.org.ar
www.eatip.org.ar
Funding
EATIP counts on the support of the Established
UNVFVT, EU, OAK Foundation/Si- 1990
grid Rausing Trust and the volun- Director(s)
tary collaboration of beneficiaries Executive Committee: Diana Kor-
and friends. don (Coordinator), Lucila Edelman,
Darío Lagos, Daniel Kersner
Future plans Contact person(s)
The national and international ac- Diana Kordon, Lucila Edelman,
Darío Lagos, Daniel Kersner
knowledgement shown towards
EATIP for its uninterrupted work Staff
carried out since 1990 and by its 7 psychiatrists
8 psychologists
founders since 1977 (heading the 1 general practitioner
team of psychological assistance 1 lawyer
1 accountant
to the Madres de Plaza de Mayo)
1 records/register keeper
imposes the necessity and com- 2 secretaries
mitment of the continuation of the
Working language(s)
tasks taken upon our institution in
Spanish
the fight against torture and impu-
nity. EATIP strives to strengthen Number of clients treated per year
100 primary torture victims
the quality of life for those affected 130 secondary torture victims
by torture, political repression and 40 other clients
impunity, past and present, to ac-
company witnesses and complain-
ants in the trials against genocid-
aires, and to work with problems
derived from the recuperation of
the identity of abducted children.
Armenia

Armenian Rehabilitation and Development Centre for Torture

Victims (ARDCEN-TV)

Staff members of the Center Staff members and volunteers conduct Examination of a returned hostage
action against torture, 26 June 2008 in the Shirak region

Primary objective(s)
• Provision of medico-psycholo-
gical rehabilitation services to
torture victims, missing persons
and other clients and family
on problems and treatment of tor-
ture victims and other clients. The
medical staff are trained at the Na-
tional Institute of Health once per
year.
Information and advocacy Contact
Publications include legal guides Foundation Against Violation of
Law (FAVL)
and information about civil and po- 6 Arshakunyats str.
litical human rights in the region. Yerevan 0023
Since 1999, FAVL has organised a Armenia

members
• Cessation of torture and ill-treat-
ment, particularly in places of
imprisonment and limited free-
dom
• Protection of social, legal, hu-
man rights by providing consul-
tations and defence in the court
• Promotion of social reintegra-
tion of clients in communities,
especially in remote regions of
Armenia.
Treatment
The following treatment is pro-
vided to beneficiaries: medico-
psychological multi-disciplinary
examination; ambulatory treat-
ment; referral to relevant diagnos-
tic centres, hospitals; therapeutic
intervention; psychological ses-
sions, mainly individual; provision
of free medicines; cardioscopy;
and medical consultation. Psy-
chological rehabilitation includes
supportive psychotherapy, inter-
personal therapy, family therapy
and art therapy.
Training
Consultations take place with phy-
sicians and nurses at the local level
Research
The centre uses questionnaires
in visits to communities, prisons,
Army, etc. The situation of medical
ambulances has been assessed,
which has been a precondition to
implement prevention activities.
Legal
Free legal consultations are given to
victims of torture and their families,
as well as assistance in preparation
of court petitions, free attorney
services to vulnerable beneficiaries
and monitoring in court.
Documentation
Information about clients’ social
conditions, each torture case,
medical and legal documents, and
psychologists’ notes are regis-
tered.
Prevention
FAVL is represented in 3 public
monitoring groups: on the police,
on penitentiary service in prisons,
and on the Army. Team members
make systematic visits to police
stations, preliminary detention
stations, prisons and the Army.
seminar to commemorate 26 June. Phone: +37 410 582 819; +37 410
568 272; +37 410 568 372
Fax: +37 410 582 819
Networking
favl@netsys.am; favl91@mail.ru
The centre is a member of the CIS www.favlerp.org
Working Group “Legislation and
Established
Protection for Refugees”; CRINGO
1999
– Caucasus NGO Networking Ini-
tiative concerning refugees; NGO/ Director(s)
Larisa Alaverdyan
UNICEF National Network; Civil
Society Organizations Partnership Contact person(s)
Network; and “Army” society coor- Larisa Alaverdyan, Project Direc-
tor; Zhorzheta Mesropyan, Project
dinating commission. Coordinator
Funding Staff
1 manager
The Center is funded by UNVFVT, 1 coordinator
IRCT/OAK Foundation/Sigrid Raus- 1 accountant
ing Trust, “Artsakh” LTD, Ministry 1 head of documentation
1 lawyer
of Health of Armenia, UMCOR/Ar- 1 social worker
menia, IRD/Armenia, ADRA/Arme- 1 chief physician
1 psychotherapist/psychologist
nia, ICRS, PRI.
5 consultant specialist doctors
2 volunteers
Future plans
Working language(s)
To realise continuous monitoring of
Armenian, Russian, English
alleged and reported cases of tor-
ture; to work on tolerance towards Number of clients treated per year
60 primary torture victims
torture in the society; to develop 210 secondary torture victims
prevention mechanisms of torture, 41 other clients
full rehabilitation of victims and
organise trainings.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: assistance in obtaining
Psychiatric apartments; financial assistance
for food and transportation;
Referrals social promotion; provision of
Social welfare free medicines
Family-based treatment

10
Australia
Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors
Inc. (ASeTTS)
Our Former Yugoslavian Group, who meet
weekly, on an outing
Primary objective(s)
• The provision and promotion
of comprehensive and holistic
services to people who have
endured torture and trauma re-
sulting from unjust persecution
and violent conflict
• Continuous research and devel-
opment into their needs
• Service innovation and quality
improvement.
Treatment
• Individual couple and family
counselling
• Group therapy, physiotherapy
and massage therapy, psychi-
atric services
• Community development
• Training to assist other agen-
cies to work effectively with
refugees
• Research.
Training
ASeTTS provided training to over
2,000 professionals working in the
refugee field in 2007/2008.
Research
Current research includes: com-
munity resilience, homelessness
and domestic violence in African
communities.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: volunteer - community
Psychiatric coaching and mentoring, nutri-
tion
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
A group of children at
youth camp
Information and advocacy
ASeTTS has established a client
reference group, United Voices.
The Chair of the group is a voting
member on the ASeTTS Board.
ASeTTS has developed an Enrich-
ment Fund and provides actual
scholarships to torture and trauma
survivors.
Networking
ASeTTS is part of the Forum of Aus-
tralian Services for Survivors of
Torture and Trauma (FASSTT).
Funding
Funding comes from a combina-
tion of commonwealth, state, fee
for service, donations and fund-
raising.
Future plans
Provide a focus on youth survivors
and family work; make major in-
roads into working with the ageing
and trauma; create more partner-
ships with government and main-
stream agencies; strongly empha-
sise community development work
and capacity building; and provide
significant opportunities for staff
exchange programmes with other
states and countries.
11
Contact
286 Beaufort Street
Perth, WA 6000
Australia
Phone: +61 8 92 27 27 00
Fax: +61 8 92 27 27 77
reception@asetts.org.au
www.asetts.org.au
Established
1992
Director(s)
Norma Josephs, CEO
Contact persons
Norma Josephs, CEO; Maria
Osman, Manager, Research and
Training; Renay Grech, Manager,
Clinical Services; Amanda Gillett,
Community Programs Manager;
Karen Harrison, Finance and
Administration Manager
Staff
1 psychiatrist
1 physiotherapist
13 counsellors/advocates
9 community workers
1 training and research
Working language(s)
English (interpreters available)
Number of clients treated per year
1916 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Australia
Companion House Assisting Survivors of Torture and Trauma
2007 Sudan versus Sierra Leone soccer match
Primary objective(s)
• Heal and rehabilitate survivors
of torture and trauma from emo-
tional and psychological pain
• Maximise the physical health of
survivors of torture and trauma
• Sensitise the community to the
needs and strengths of survi-
vors and to welcome refugees
• Ensure communities affected by
torture and trauma are strong,
resilient and able to thrive in
Australia
• Provide high quality and re-
sponsive service with excellent
governance and management.
Treatment
Companion House focuses our
work across medical, counselling
and community development ap-
proaches to healing and rehabili-
tation. Human rights principles un-
derpin our work and our expertise
about human rights issues informs
policy makers and the community
at large.
Training
Companion House provides train-
ing to a large range of education,
health, and service agencies each
year. We also train volunteers and
any other community organisa-
tions. We focus on raising empathy
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
2007 Sudan versus Sierra Leone soccer match
and awareness and building the munity capacity building in new Contact
41 Fairfax St
skill of professionals to work with and emerging communities. We are
O’Connor
survivors of torture and trauma. undergoing continuous quality im- ACT 2602
provement and are strengthening Australia
Research many aspects of the organisation
Phone: +2 62 47 72 27
Companion House has a small re- and governance. Fax: +2 62 47 14 16
search programme. The major fo- info@companionhouse.org.au
www.companionhouse.org.au
cus over the last few years has been
on analysis of primary health care Established
needs. 1989
Director(s)
Legal Kathy Ragless
We work with pro bono migration
Contact person(s)
agents on asylum seeker issues. Kathy Ragless, Director; Elizabeth
Price, Senior Counsellor; Chris
Prevention Phillips, Medical Director
We carry out advocacy about tor- Staff
ture and its effects on a person and 4 general practitioners
1 practice nurse
their family and community.
7 counsellors/advocates
1 complementary therapist
Information and advocacy 5 community development
workers
We provide information, policy ad-
4 administrative staff
vice and advocacy to policy makers 1 trainer
at the local and national level on 4 interpreters
issues affecting asylum seekers, Working language(s)
refugees and survivors of torture English, with interpreters for dif-
and trauma. ferent languages
Number of clients treated per year
Future plans 500 primary, secondary and
Companion House will continue to other clients
provide medical, counselling and
community development services.
We continue to build on communi-
ty development activities and are
building increasing skill in com-
12
Australia
Melaleuca Refugee Centre Torture and Trauma Survivor
Service NT
Staff of the Melaleuca Refugee Centre
Primary objective(s)
• Providing an environment for
resettlement and healing of
refugee survivors of torture and
trauma, their families and com-
munities through confidential,
high quality, holistic services
• Providing ethical, client fo-
cused services and referrals to
refugee survivors, their families
and communities in a climate of
empowerment and self determi-
nation
• Promoting community aware-
ness regarding issues for refu-
gee survivors and involvement
in activities conducted by the
centre by individuals, families,
organisations and the wider
community
• Providing culturally sensitive
opportunities for client involve-
ment in service development
• Assisting in building strong
communities which can support
individuals in recovery from tor-
ture and trauma.
Treatment
Melaleuca Refugee Centre pro-
vides support to survivors through
an integrated approach to client
needs and rights. This approach
includes one to one counselling;
family and child centred support;
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
group work with adults, young
people and children; advocacy;
community development activi-
ties; training and education with
other services; assessment and
referral. This sits alongside a
comprehensive settlement pro-
gramme involving health, housing
and case coordination.
Training
Melaleuca Refugee Centre provides
training to government agencies
such as health and to schools and
the community services sector on
refugee issues, the effects of tor-
ture and trauma and aims to create
cultural awareness.
Prevention
Melaleuca Refugee Centre par-
ticipates in events to create aware-
ness on the effects of torture and
the general plight of refugees.
Information and advocacy
Melaleuca Refugee Centre publish-
es a newsletter three times a year
which is available on the Melaleuca
website. We provide information
and advocate on behalf of refugees
towards governments and other
agencies and lobby governments
around policies regarding refugees
and asylum seekers.
13
Networking Contact
P.O. Box 1226
Melaleuca Refugee Centre is a
Nightcliff NT 0814
member of the Forum of Australian Australia
Services for Survivors of Torture
Phone: +61 8 89 85 33 11
and Trauma (FASSTT). FASSTT is a Fax: +61 8 89 85 33 22
network of Australia’s eight spe- admin@melaleuca.org.au
cialist rehabilitation agencies that www.melaleuca.org.au
work with survivors of torture and Established
trauma who have come to Australia 1997
from overseas. There is one FASSTT
Director(s)
member agency in each state and Lava Kohaupt
territory of Australia. We also work
collaboratively with other agen- Contact person(s)
Lava Kohaupt
cies within the community sector
and government departments on a Staff
local level. 3 social workers
1 psychologist
1 art therapist/child counsellor
Funding 2 counsellors
2 youth workers
Melaleuca Refugee Centre is fund-
1 training coordinator
ed by the Commonwealth Govern- 2 community development staff
ment of Australia as well as the 3 case coordinators
3 health educators
Northern Territory Government. 3 housing workers
Working language(s)
English
Number of clients treated per year
250 primary, secondary and
other clients
Australia
Phoenix Centre - Support Service for Survivors of Torture
and Trauma
Pictures help trigger discussion
Primary objective(s)
• Support refugees and migrants
suffering the effects of trauma
caused by torture and human
atrocity
• Support the Migrant Resource
Centre in promoting the well-
being of migrants and refugees
in Tasmania
• Active consultation with emerg-
ing communities
• Community development
• Educate service providers about
the experiences of migrants/
refugees and culturally appro-
priate services.
Treatment
Our practitioners have a counsel-
lor-advocate approach to treat-
ment, recognising that the tasks of
settlement and cultural transition
are inter-related with the issues
of trauma. Phoenix Centre staff
have expertise in counselling and
psychological assessment, case
management, social work, com-
munity development, massage
and natural therapies, and nar-
rative therapy. Volunteers assist
in befriending, English tutoring
and practical support with social
systems. Our co-location with the
Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) al-
lows smooth referrals to youth ac-
tivities, settlement support, driv-
Services
Medical
Physiotherapy
Counselling
Community visits
Financial assistance
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Using ‘small figures’
was an effective coun-
selling technique for a
young Phoenix client
ing lessons, migration advice and
aged care programmes.
Training
Phoenix provides specialised train-
ing to other agencies and practition-
ers working with complex trauma,
and contributes to more general
cross-cultural awareness training
provided through the MRC.
Research
With links to research centres at
the University of Tasmania, the
Phoenix Centre is incorporating
research components into activi-
ties to enhance understanding of
clients’ experiences and ensure
effective service provision.
Documentation
The Phoenix Centre has a small
resource library of information
and research about survivors of
torture and trauma, human rights
and cross-cultural and other re-
lated issues.
Prevention
The Phoenix Centre conducts a
range of activities to increase
public awareness of torture and
trauma.
Information and advocacy
The Phoenix Centre distributes var-
Psychological
Legal
Language courses
Housing
Other: natural therapy
14
ious publications to inform clients Contact
as well as service providers. 49 Molle Street
Hobart, Tasmania 7000
Australia
Networking
Phone: +61 3 62 21 09 99
Phoenix is part of the Forum of Aus-
Fax: +61 3 62 31 12 64
tralian Services for Survivors of phoenix@mrchobart.org.au
Torture and Trauma, which enables www.mrchobart.org.au/p_home.
shtml
national collaboration in exper-
tise, resources and strategy; and a Established
member of the Tasmanian Immigra- 1992
tion Settlement Committee, which Contact person(s)
coordinates the provision of serv- Gillian Long
ices to clients State-wide.
Staff
1 manager
Funding 5 counsellor/advocates
Phoenix currently receives funding 1 project officer/psychologist
1 natural therapist
from the Department of Health and 1 project officer/sociologist
Ageing, the Department of Fam- 1 administration
ily and Community Services and 19 volunteers/befrienders
Indigenous Affairs, and the Home Working language(s)
and Community Care Program. English
Number of clients treated per year
Future plans 126 primary, secondary and
Phoenix collaborates with the Uni- other clients
versity of Tasmania Department of
Rural Health to create a network of
expertise and research in Trauma
and Culture in Tasmania. There is
a partnership developing with the
Indigenous Coordination Centre
to enable new migrants and the
Tasmanian Aboriginal population
to collaborate in projects, particu-
larly related to suicide prevention
and racism.
Australia
Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of
Torture and Trauma (QPASTT)
Primary objective(s)
• Provide early detection, inter-
vention and prevention for refu-
gee and migrant survivors of
torture and trauma who are at
risk in terms of chronic health
problems, disorders and asso-
ciated sequelae
• Provide and coordinate direct
assistance to survivors of tor-
ture and trauma in need of
counselling, advocacy, help
and support
• Assist directly survivors of tor-
ture and trauma in overcoming
disadvantages arising from lan-
guage, cultural differences and
pre- and post-migration stress,
which impinge on participation
in the broader community.
Treatment
Approximately 600 new refer-
rals of people wanting individual
and/or group support are made
each year. Services offered in-
clude counselling/psychotherapy,
assessment, case management,
advocacy and health referral. The
Early Intervention Project provides
an early response to refugee sur-
vivors of torture and trauma and
offers assessment to all entrants
under the refugee and humanitar-
ian programmes and short-term
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: natural therapies
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
counselling for survivors of torture
and trauma.
Training
On average, two training sessions
are offered each month, with 12
persons in each group. Current
training addresses English teach-
ers working with both adult and
high school level migrants, psy-
chologists and social security/
mental health workers.
Research
Current research includes appro-
priate testing, service evaluation
and application of traditional West-
ern psychotherapies to the cultural
groups represented by clients. A
training kit has been published,
aimed at those who work with
young children.
Prevention
QPASTT supports Amnesty Inter-
national in their public awareness
and preventive work. QPASTT is
also active in Austcare’s Refugee
Week activities.
Information and advocacy
QPASTT participates in a range of
advocacy activities including sys-
tems advocacy, supporting Amnes-
ty in human rights campaigns, and
15
making submissions to relevant Contact
policy consultation forums. PO Box 6254
Fairfield
Queensland 4103
Networking Australia
QPASTT is active in networks that
Phone: +61 7 3391 6677
provide various services to refu- Fax: +61 7 3391 6388
gees. Furthermore, QPASTT for- admin@qpastt.org.au
www.qpastt.org.au
wards information to government
bodies through the Queensland Established
Migrant Settlement Plan, Refugee 1995
Council of Australia and Ministeri- Director(s)
al Refugee Resettlement Advisory Tracy Worrall, Director; Donata
Council. Rossi, Associate Director
Contact person(s)
Funding Paula Peterson
Funding is received from federal,
Staff
state and local government. 1 director
1 associate director
Future plans 1 manager of clinical services
9 counsellors/advocates
QPASTT plans to continue devel- (trained in psychology/social
oping programmes focusing on work)
children and young survivors, and 2 sessional counsellors
3 administrative workers
training activities in the mental community development workers
health sector. Holiday programmes youth project workers
have been developed for children,
Working language(s)
young people and adults. We have English
established a family therapy unit
Number of clients treated per year
training bilingual counsellors from (Not available)
the communities currently access-
ing QPASTT the most. QPASTT is
also looking at developing research
partnerships with a local universi-
ty to develop research projects and
innovation.
Australia
STARTTS – NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation
of Torture and Trauma Survivors
Art classes with children from Iraq
Primary objective(s)
• To develop and implement ways
to facilitate the healing proc-
ess of survivors of torture and
trauma
• To assist and resource individu-
als and organisations who work
with them to provide appropri-
ate, effective and culturally sen-
sitive services.
Treatment
STARTTS services are professional,
innovative, holistic, culturally sen-
sitive, confidential and impartial.
We continuously consult with our
clients to ensure our services meet
their needs. The largest group of our
most recent clients comes from Af-
rican and Middle Eastern countries
like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Rwan-
da, Sierra Leone and Sudan. Other
clients come from the countries of
the former Yugoslavia, South East
Asian countries like Burma, Cam-
bodia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and
South American countries such as
Columbia, Chile, El Salvador and
Peru.
STARTTS services include:
• Individual and family assess-
ment, counselling and psycho-
therapy
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: community development
Psychiatric and capacity building
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Flower arranging for ladies
• Camps for children and young
people
• Group therapy including relax-
ation groups and groups where
refugees share their thoughts
and feelings about their expe-
riences
• Activity groups such as English,
craft and exercise classes
• Physiotherapy and bodywork
including pain management
groups
• Community consultations and
community development projects
• Psychiatric services including
medication
• Neurofeedback
• Workshops to help refugees
learn about Australian culture
and systems as well as how
the experiences of torture and
trauma might be affecting them
and their families
• Consultancy services for other
organisations that work with
torture and trauma survivors
• Lobbying and advocacy on be-
half of individuals and refugee
communities
• Training for people working
with refugees
• Research
• Media advice for refugee com-
munities
16
Other STARTTS offices are located
in Auburn, Liverpool, Coffs Harbour
and Wallsend. Outreach locations
(i.e. working from another services’
office but providing direct services to
clients) are Blacktown, Canterbury,
The Illawarra, Marrickville, North-
ern Beaches, Parramatta, Rockdale,
Sydney City and St Mary’s.
Contact
Head office street address:
152 – 168 The Horsley Drive
Carramar NSW 2163
Australia
Head office postal address:
P.O. Box 203
Fairfield NSW 2165
Australia
Phone: +61 2 97 94 19 66
Fax: +61 2 97 94 19 10
startts@swsahs.nsw.gov.au
www.startts.org
Established
1988
Director(s)
Jorge Aroche, Executive Director
Contact person(s)
Jorge Aroche, Executive Director;
Lachlan Murdoch, Deputy Director
Staff
25 counsellors/community
development workers
20 bicultural counsellors/commu-
nity development workers
11 administrative support staff
6 team leaders/counsellors
4 managers
2 directors
3 psychiatrists
2 trainers
2 youth workers
2 specialist child and adolescent
counsellors
2 systems and data collection
staff
1 community development
project officer
2 physiotherapists
2 researchers/project officers
1 public affairs coordinator
1 volunteer coordinator
1 project officer – families in
cultural transition
1 orthobionomist
1 social worker
Working language(s)
English, Arabic, Bosnian,
Croatian, Dari, Farsi, French,
Khmer, Kihunde, Kinande, Lin-
gala, Luganda, Lulubo, Pashtu,
Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish,
Swahili, Tetum, Vietnamese
Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
Australia
Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation
Service Inc. (STTARS)
Staff of the STTARS
Primary objective(s)
• Provide high quality support
and therapy to facilitate the
healing process of survivors
of torture and refugee related
trauma who resettle in South
Australia
• Raise awareness among service
providers of health, education
and other services regarding
the special needs of torture and
trauma survivors
• Advocate for the abolition of hu-
man rights abuses worldwide.
Treatment
STTARS currently sees between
400 and 500 clients who have ex-
perienced torture or refugee re-
lated trauma each year. STTARS is
committed to a holistic approach
to service delivery including phys-
ical, social, cultural, linguistic,
emotional, spiritual, gender and
lifestyle aspects. Services include
but are not limited to: assessment
and referrals, advocacy, case work
and practical assistance, individ-
ual/couples/family counselling,
natural therapies, children and
group programmes, community
development activities and psy-
chiatric consultation and pharma-
cotherapy, when indicated.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: remedial massage,
Psychiatric community development
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
An activity at the STTARS: work on an mosaic table
Training
STTARS responds to requests for
education and training from com-
munity and mainstream service
providers, as well as volunteers
and professionals who come into
contact with refugees. Staff also
give lectures and seminars for uni-
versity courses at the graduate and
postgraduate level.
Documentation
STTARS maintains a strictly confi-
dential system of case notes and
records of service delivery for all
clients. Systems are also in place to
gather more generalised statistical
data relating to the client groups
receiving support from STTARS.
STTARS has a small resource col-
lection available to students and
professionals from outside agen-
cies free of charge.
Prevention
STTARS participates in various ac-
tivities to raise public awareness of
the effects of torture and trauma,
regularly responds to media arti-
cles, as well as campaigns for the
abolition of human rights abuses
worldwide.
Information and advocacy
STTARS attends community educa-
17
tional activities on request in order Contact
to disseminate information about 12 Hawker St
Bowden
refugees and the work undertaken South Australia 5007
by STTARS with torture and trau- Australia
ma survivors. STTARS publishes a
Phone: +61 8 8346 5433
quarterly newsletter and has been Fax: +61 8 8346 5755
involved in the development and sttars@sttars.org.au
www.sttars.org.au
publication of resources on refu-
gee health. Established
1991
Networking Director(s)
STTARS is an active member of the Ms Bernadette McGrath, Director
Forum of Australian Services for
Contact person(s)
Survivors of Torture and Trauma, Ms Bernadette McGrath, Director
South Australian Refugee Health
Network and the South Australian Staff
1 director
Mental Health Coalition. We have 3 counsellor/advocates
key partnerships with other serv- 3 part-time counsellor/advo-
ice providers in South Australia, cates
1 intake and liaison worker
notably the Refugee Health Service 1 natural therapies coordinator
and the Child Adolescent Mental 1 caseworker
Health Service. 1 community development
worker
3 sessional therapists including
Funding a psychiatrist, psychothera-
pist and medical practitioner
STTARS draws its funding from the
1 office manager
South Australian and Common- 3 administrative staff
wealth Governments as well as
Working language(s)
from private and corporate mem- English
berships and donations.
Number of clients treated per year
420 primary, secondary and
other clients
Australia

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc.

(VFST, also known as Foundation House)

The Director of Foun-

dation House, Mr Paris
Aristotle, speaking to
clients and members
at Government House
in Victoria (November
2007)
Women’s performing group at the Foundation House celebration
held at Government House in Victoria (November 2007)

Primary objective(s)
To advance the health, well-being
and human rights of people from
refugee backgrounds who have ex-
perienced torture and trauma by:
• providing high quality counsel-
ling and casework services
• designing and developing new
programmes to meet service
gaps and the changing needs
of clients
• providing high quality resourc-
es for the education, health and
welfare sectors
• undertaking research, policy
development and advocacy to
ensure that government policies
are sensitive to the needs of sur-
vivors of torture and trauma.
Treatment
Foundation House provides serv-
ices to more than 4,000 clients
each year. These services include
counselling, casework, psycho-
logical assessment, psychiatric
services, advocacy, complemen-
tary therapies and information
provision. In addition to individual
and family counselling, Foundation
House provides group sessions so
that clients can make meaningful
connections with others who may
have had similar experiences. The
complementary therapies pro-
gramme of nutritional, herbal and
tactile therapies combined with
psychological, social and medical
services has created a unique and
holistic suite of support to aid re-
covery.
Training
Foundation House regularly holds
training sessions for health and
welfare workers and teachers.
Research
The Refugee Health Research Cen-
tre is a partnership between La
Trobe University and Foundation
House. The Centre plays a key role
in integrating research and educa-
tion with service delivery.
Information and advocacy
Foundation House works with gov-
ernments to ensure that relevant
policies are sensitive to the needs
of survivors of torture and trauma.
We also develop resources to en-
hance the understanding of the
needs of survivors amongst teach-
ers, health and welfare profes-
sionals and the wider community.
For example, we have produced
numerous guides which aim to
strengthen the capacity of school
communities to promote a support-
ive school environment for refugee
students. Foundation House has Contact
also published “Perspectives on 6 Gardiner Street
Brunswick
Torture: the law, the effects, the Victoria 3056
debate”, to contribute to the legal Australia
and philosophical debate about
Phone: + 61 3 9388 0022
torture. It is a useful resource Fax: + 61 3 9387 0828
which covers key issues, including aristotlep@foundationhouse.
org.au
the international definitions of tor-
www.foundationhouse.org.au
ture, the current use of torture, the
far reaching effects of torture and Established
1987
the international laws prohibiting
its use. All of these resources can Director(s)
be found on our website. Paris Aristotle AM
Contact person(s)
Networking Paris Aristotle AM
Foundation House is a member of
Staff
the Forum of Australian Services 1 director
for Survivors of Torture and Trau- 8 agency management team
ma, which is a network of eight spe- 1 policy advisor
1 public affairs coordinator
cialist rehabilitation agencies from 14 agency operations team
each state and territory in Australia (finance, human resources,
that work with survivors of torture admin, IT)
15 service innovation programme
and trauma. workers
4 health sector development
programme workers
Funding
15 refugee health research centre
We receive funding from the State (includes researchers)
Government of Victoria, the Com- 54 direct service workers
5 community liaison workers
monwealth Government of Aus- 8 complementary therapies
tralia, philanthropic trusts and team
donations. 9 mental health clinic doctors
Working language(s)
English
Number of clients treated per year
4,200 primary, secondary and
other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Complementary therapies;
Psychiatric training for service providers in
the education, health and welfare
Referrals sectors; development of re-
Social welfare sources for workers in the educa-
Family-based treatment tion, health and welfare sectors;
community capacity building
18
Austria
HEMAYAT – Organization for Support of Survivors of
Torture and War
A run against torture was organised by HEMAYAT on the occasion
of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Primary objective(s)
• HEMAYAT’s primary objective is
to support torture victims and
war survivors within the scope
of medical, psychological and
psychotherapeutic care
• Related activities include: pub-
lic relations, awareness crea-
tion, and scientific research
regarding the consequences of
torture and war trauma.
Treatment
HEMAYAT is the only organisa-
tion in Vienna that gives psycho-
logical assistance to torture and
war victims. Medical doctors at
HEMAYAT offer medical examina-
tion and identification of lasting
marks of torture. The gradual ex-
tension of our capacities should
make it possible for every one of
our clients to have a chance to be
seen by our medical doctors. Fur-
thermore, where needed, clients
receive medical expertise for their
application for asylum in Austria,
psychiatric treatment and exper-
tise and physiotherapy.
Psychologists and psychothera-
pists at HEMAYAT offer psycholog-
ical consultation, crisis interven-
tion, psychotherapy, art therapy,
family therapy and psychological
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: psychotherapy
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
expertise (when needed for the
asylum procedure).
Different steps are taken to sta-
bilise the psychological status of
clients: crisis intervention in case
of acute life-threatening destabi-
lization and additional in-patient
treatment, if needed; and short-
term therapies to help victims
overcome difficult life phases and
to find adequate strategies for the
present burdened situation. Treat-
ment of traumatic experiences is
done in long-term therapy. The
psychotherapeutic work can be
supported with shiatsu therapy.
The flexible structure of HEMAYAT
is orientated on a model for pay-
ment in units of work and not on
a fixed staff, which enables us to
use a flexible arrangement accord-
ing to the need of clients.
Training
Training activities including lec-
tures for other NGOs, asylum au-
thorities and lay people.
Research
HEMAYAT staff have published a
number of scientific papers regard-
ing traumatization and torture se-
quels.
19
Documentation
Psychological and medical assess-
ment and course of treatment are
documented in medical files by the
responsible therapists and/or phy-
sicians.
Prevention
Two HEMAYAT staff are also mem-
bers of the Human Rights Advisory
Board (Menschenrechtsbeirat),
which conducts prison visits and
educates prison doctors.
Information and advocacy
Trainings, lectures and public re-
lations are done with the aim of
awareness creation.
Networking
We have close contacts with other
HR organisations such as Amnesty
International. We joined a network
of Organizations for Survivors of
Torture and War in Austria (NIPE).
We are also a member of OMCT.
Funding
HEMAYAT receives funding from
the EU (European Refugee Fund),
UN and Austrian Ministries (e.g.
Austrian Ministry of Interior).
Contact
Engerthstrasse 163
1020 Vienna
Austria
Phone: +43 1 216 4306
Fax: +43 1 216 4306
office@hemayat.org
www.hemayat.org
Established
1995
Director(s)
Dr Friedrun Huemer, Chairwoman;
Dr Cecilia Heiss, Management
Contact person(s)
Dr Cecilia Heiss, Management;
Brigitte Heinrich, Administration
Staff
17 psychotherapists
3 medical psychiatrists
23 translators
2 shiatsu practitioners
Working language(s)
Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Bos-
nian, Chechnian, Croatian, Dari,
English, Farsi, French, German,
Hindi, Kurdish, Pashtu, Russian,
Serbian, Turkish
Number of clients treated per year
0 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
600 other clients
Austria
Society for Victims of Organised Violence and Human
Rights Violations (OMEGA Health Centre)
Primary objective(s)
• To identify the group and offer
them support and treatment,
mainly in terms of health issues
• To bridge the gap between the
needs of our clients and the main-
stream health services in the com-
munity
• To offer change of refugee shelter,
referral to medical examinations,
information about treatments and
referral to psychotherapy
• To support the case of an asylum
seeker with medical reports and
assist clients in the asylum pro-
cedure.
Treatment
Most clients find their way to our
organisation through the recom-
mendation of their fellow country-
men. The centre identifies victims
of torture by regularly visiting refu-
gee shelters, and keeping in con-
tact with local social workers and
medical health services who treat
refugees and refer them as possi-
ble torture clients. We offer assist-
ance in psychological-, medical-
and social issues. Interpreters are
offered to assist in communicating
with specialists, hospitals or psy-
chotherapy.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training
The staff at one refugee shelter
specialised in giving care to asylum
seekers with special needs receive
one hour training per week on how
to deal with mentally and physical-
ly disabled persons. Omega offers
seminars and lectures for caregiv-
ers and medical personnel on how
to deal with traumatised persons
and those with behavioural and
social problems.
Research
In 2005 two students (one psy-
chologist, one social pedagogue)
wrote their diploma theses in co-
operation with Omega, focuss-
ing on trauma coping strategies.
Omega’s work with children and
families was presented at an inter-
national congress at Kranska Gora
(Slovenia).
Documentation
All contacts are documented in
a database. For some special
projects separate records are kept.
Omega has a library specialised in
refugee issues and psychological
and medical literature concerning
treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder.
20
Prevention Contact
Omega takes part in a training Albert-Schweitzer- Gasse 22
A-8020 Graz
programme for police personnel Austria
on how to interact with persons in
mental crisis, including those with Phone:+ 43 316 773554
Fax:+ 43 316 773554-4
the behavioral sequelae resulting office@omega-graz.at
from exposure to psychological www.omega-graz.at
trauma.
Established
1996
Information and advocacy
Director(s)
Information and advocacy activities Dr.med. Emir Kuljuh
include: EU political membership,
release of annual reports, member Contact person(s)
DSA Usha Sundaresan
of EU-Daphne network, member of
network for Asylkoordination, fun- Staff
draising for specific relief projects 2 psychiatrists
1 medical doctor
in the former Yugoslavia. 2 psychologists
1 social worker
Networking 1 psychotherapist
2 nurses
The centre is the initiator of a net- 1 midwife
work of organisations who provide 2 teachers
services for refugees: CARITAS, Ze- 1 integration assistant
8 counsellors
bra, Isop, Danaida, Helping Hands, 2 accountants
etc. 3 secretaries
1 administrative staff
Funding Working language(s)
City of Graz, provincial government German, English, Russian,
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Farsi/
of Styria, federal ministries of the Dari, Albanian, Armenian, Zulu,
Austrian government, labour mar- Amharic, etc
ket service, EU commission, dif-
Number of clients treated per year
ferent EU programmes, UNVFVT, 39 primary torture victims
NGOs. 77 secondary torture victims
531 other clients
Austria
ZEBRA – Intercultural Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Psychotherapeutical group for refugee children from
Chechnya
Primary objective(s)
• Rehabilitation of persons having
survived torture and other forms
of political violence
• Encouraging refugees and immi-
grants to get permanently inte-
grated into the labour market and
society
• Standing up for solidarity and tol-
erance
• Fighting against torture and other
forms of human rights violations
• Fighting against any form of rac-
ism and xenophobia.
Treatment
In reference to the extensive prob-
lems of torture victims ZEBRA
offers psychotherapy (systemic
therapy, Gestalt therapy), physio-
therapy, psychiatric counselling as
well as social work, which includes
legal and social counselling. The
concept is based on an interdisci-
plinary and integrative therapy ap-
proach. For unaccompanied minors
ZEBRA offers group therapy and
psychosocial care. Treatment and
counselling is provided for approx.
200 victims of torture per year,
currently mainly from Chechnya
and Afghanistan. We are working
in close cooperation with the psy-
chiatric clinic in Graz, with doctors
and with other NGOs.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Psychotherapy
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training
ZEBRA offers trainings and super-
vision for psychotherapists work-
ing with traumatised refugees in
other centres as well as training
for translators. Trainings are also
provided for organisations work-
ing with refugees and immigrants
and for public health institutions
and social services.
Legal
ZEBRA offers legal counselling for
asylum seekers and refugees.
Documentation
All clients are registered in a da-
tabase with their name, address,
age, gender, nationality, legal
status in Austria, communication
language and diagnosis. We also
document every treatment session
and counselling session (time and
methods). Data can be evaluated
statistically for the annual report
and the different project reports.
Prevention
ZEBRA provides trainings and
seminars for asylum authorities
and health professionals.
Information and advocacy
ZEBRA publishes a journal focus-
ing on asylum and immigration
21
policy and rehabilitation of torture Contact
victims. Schönaugürtel 29
8010 Graz
Austria
Networking
ZEBRA is member organisation of Phone: +43 316 835 630-0
Fax: +43 316 835 630-50
NIPE, a network of institutions in zebra@zebra.or.at
Austria providing psychothera- www.zebra.or.at
peutical treatment for victims of
Established
torture. We are working in close 1987
cooperation with the University of
Director(s)
Graz and Klagenfurt and with the Edith Glanzer
psychiatric hospital in Graz.
Contact person(s)
Uta Wedam
Funding
European Union 30%, state gov- Staff
ernment of Styria 25%, Ministry of 5 psychotherapists
1 social worker
Interior 15%, public health insur- 1 psychiatrist
ance 25%, other donors 5%. 2 physiotherapists
10 translators
1 administration
Future plans
Establishing structures for treat- Working language(s)
ment of victims of torture within the German, English, Bosnian-Serbo-
Croatian
rural regions of Styria. Improve- Psychotherapy and counselling
ment of access of torture victims are currently provided in coopera-
tion with professional transla-
to treatment and services of public
tors in the following languages:
institutions. Increase international Albanian, Russian, Chechnyan,
cooperation, especially with or- Farsi, Dari, Pashtu, French, Turk-
ish, Mongolian
ganisations in Slovakia, Hungary,
Bulgaria and Romania. Number of clients treated per year
100 primary torture victims
100 secondary torture victims
70 other clients
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT)
26 June event at BRCT
Primary objective(s)
• Ensure the physical and men-
tal health of torture survivors
through an integrated rehabilita-
tion approach
• Prevent torture by educating,
informing and sensitising pro-
fessionals and other commu-
nity members
• Reduce or prevent torture through
the formation of the Task Force
Against Torture in local districts
• Provide victims of torture with
treatment and rehabilitation to al-
low full integration back into their
communities and previous lives.
Treatment
The BRCT has a holistic treatment
package to provide torture survi-
vors with the necessary treatment
and rehabilitation programmes
under an Integrated Rehabilitation
Approach (IRA). The IRA includes
counselling, medical care, physi-
otherapy, psychotherapy and legal
assistance. Once the victims return
to their communities, they will of-
ten form/join a victims’ association
(VA) to continue rehabilitation at
home by actively participating in a
programme that offers support and
a means to spread awareness.
Training
BRCT organises training pro-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
grammes for professionals with
the help of external and internal
experts (doctors, lawyers, journal-
ists, teachers), NGO staff, youth
and trade union leaders, etc.
Research
The BRCT conducts research on
human rights in Bangladesh and
publishes monthly, quarterly and
annual reports based on informa-
tion in the BRCT database. We also
conduct research on the effective-
ness of VAs and the Task Force
Against Torture (TFT) to reduce tor-
ture in Bangladesh.
Legal
BRCT provides legal assistance in
the form of bail assistance, coun-
selling after release and filing cas-
es against perpetrators.
Documentation
The BRCT documents medical in-
formation both in client files and
electronic format. We maintain a
library with books, reports, jour-
nals and newsletters.
Prevention
TFTs and VAs are a key element in
BRCT’s prevention activities by as-
sisting victims and raising aware-
ness about torture in communi-
ties.
22
Information and advocacy Contact
The BRCT publishes newsletters, 27 Bijoy Nagar
Dhaka-1000
annual reports, TFT book on tor- Bangladesh
ture, brochures and fact-finding
Established
reports.
1992
Networking Director(s)
Dr. Akram H. Chowdhury, PhD,
BRCT maintains a strong interna- Founding General Secretary
tional network with RCT, OMCT/
SOS Torture and Amnesty, RE- Contact person(s)
Dr. Akram H. Chowdhury PhD,
DRESS, AHRC, GHRD, IFEX Hotline Founding General Secretary
Asia, etc. Local networking is con-
ducted with the Bar, Medical, and Staff
28 regular staff
Journalists Associations and Trade 22 volunteers
Union Federations. BRCT maintains
a close relationship with embas- Working language(s)
Bengali, English
sies, the EC delegation and the
Danish NGO Forum. Number of clients treated per year
1220 primary torture victims
532 secondary torture victims
Funding 160 other clients
Funding comes from Danida
through the RCT, Danida fund from
the Danish Embassy, EU Commis-
sion fund for the ratification of OP-
CAT and UNVFVT.
Future plans
Develop a national strategy for
torture prevention and the full im-
plementation of the CAT; establish
a treatment hospital; develop clini-
cal social work; conduct campaigns
to ratify OPCAT and abolish the
death penalty; establish TFTs and
VAs in all 64 districts and conduct
research on their effectiveness.
Bangladesh

Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (CRTS)

Inaugural session of Asia Regional meeting at Dhaka organised by CRTS where Chief
of EU delegate of Bangladesh Mr. Stefan Frowein was present as Chief Guest

Primary objective(s) is now also a member of the Human Contact

• Identify victims of torture and
gather necessary information
• Ensure physical, mental and so-
cial rehabilitation of victims and
Rights Forum in Bangladesh, con- (postal)
House No. 29, Road No. 08
sisting of 17 leading human rights Dhanmondi
organisations of Bangladesh, and Dhaka 1205
through this Forum we have sent Bangladesh

their family members the Universal Periodic Review (office)

• Raise awareness among profes- (UPR) to the UN. Motaleb Tower 2nd Floor
8/2 Hatirpool
sionals and the population re-
Paribagh
garding the effects of torture on Funding Dhaka 1000
society CRTS has received funding from Bangladesh
• Conduct studies, seminars, work- the CVT and Fund for Global Human Phone & Fax: +880 2 812 2272
shops and other research activi- Rights, as well as the OAK Founda- Mobile: +880 1 71 156 3480
ties on the effects of torture tion and donations from members kmrlcrts@bdcom.com; kmr-
lkhan@yahoo.com
• Promotion and protection of hu- of CRTS and well-wishers. www.crts-bd.org
man rights in Bangladesh.
Established
1996
Treatment
Since its inception in 1996, CRTS Director(s)
has provided comprehensive treat- Dr. Kamrul Hasan Khan

ment for 2,700 victims of torture. Contact person(s)

Victims are provided with medical Dr. Kamrul Hasan Khan, Dr.
treatment, counselling and physi- Masuda Begum

otherapy. All the victims were tor- Staff

tured by law enforcement agen- 5 doctors
1 counsellor
cies. Forty percent of victims are
2 medical assistants
women and 5%-10% are children. 1 physiotherapist
All victims are Bangladeshi. 5 administrative and field staff
3 honorary consultants

Networking Working language(s)

CRTS works with the IRCT and is Bengali, English
a member of ASIANET. CRTS has Number of clients treated per year
been a partner of CVT, and also di- 300 primary torture victims
rectly collaborates with the Medi- 50 secondary torture victims
50 other clients
cal Association, hospitals and oth-
er NGOs at the national level. CRTS

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

23
Bolivia
Institute of Therapy and Research about Torture
Sequels and State Violence (ITEI)
ITEI team, 2008
Primary objective(s)
• To contribute to the prevention
of disorders caused by torture
and state violence by providing
integral psycho-therapeutic,
medical, social and judicial as-
sistance to victims, their fami-
lies and their communities
• To assist survivors of massa-
cres; victims of political repres-
sion; victims of torture; political
prisoners; political refugees;
formerly exiled citizens; fam-
ily members of detained, disap-
peared or killed; victims of tor-
ture in jails and holding centres;
and family and community mem-
bers of these groups.
Treatment
The ITEI provides psychological as-
sistance for children, adolescents
and adults; short-term therapy;
psychotherapy based on a psycho-
analytical and systemic approach;
methods of relaxation; and medical
attention and detection of torture
or ill-treatment using the Istanbul
Protocol.
Training
Workshops, supervision and cours-
es are offered to those working
with victims of violence. Courses
are offered to colleagues trained in
psychotherapy (psychotraumatol-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
ITEI team participating in the march on 1 May 2008
ogy, individual psychotherapy with
traumatised clients, group therapy
with traumatised clients).
Research
During 2007 we finished the inves-
tigation “4 Años Despues” (After 4
Years), about the physical and psy-
chological sequels of “La Guerra
del Gas” (The War of Gas). Now we
are investigating torture in women’s
jails in La Paz and Cochabamba.
Legal
Legal assessment is provided for vic-
tims of torture and state violence.
Documentation
We have a library with titles on tor-
ture and human rights and a data-
base with statistics on all persons
coming to the centre.
Prevention
Our prevention programme takes
place in Achacachi, a rural area of La
Paz and Obrajes, a women’s jail in La
Paz. We are working with the Foreign
Office of Bolivia to elaborate a new
law to sanction and prevent torture.
Information and advocacy
Articles and interviews have been
published/broadcast in newspa-
pers and on radio and television.
The ITEI also participated in the
24
“Movement against Impunity” and Contact
the commemoration of 26 June. We Avenida Arce 2105
Edificio Venus, piso 4, dep. 4B
worked for three years to get Bo- Casilla 08185
livia to ratify OPCAT. La Paz
Bolivia
-----
Networking Ecuador 471
In Bolivia, the ITEI works with the Entre 25 de Mayo y San Martin
Cochabamba
High Commissioner for Refugees,
Bolivia
Fiem Bolivia (Fundación para la
Integración en el Mundo), Peniten- Phone: +591 2 2440203; +591 2
215 4094; +591 4 4226212; itei01
tiary Pastoral and CEADL (Centre of (Skype)
Local Studies and Development). Mobile: +591 2 725 66263
Internationally, the ITEI works with Fax: +591 2 215 4094
administracion@itei.org.bo
the European Federation for Psy- www.itei.org.bo
choanalytical Psychotherapy in
the Public Sector, other rehabilita- Established
2001
tion centres and the Latin-Ameri-
can Institute for Psychoanalysis. Director(s)
The ITEI has been part of RedSalud Andrés Gautier, Director;
Emma Bravo, Coordinator
- DDHH, REBLASAM (Red Belga
Latino Americana en Salud Mental) Contact person(s)
Andrés Gautier, Director
and Sociedad Internacional para la
Salud y los DDHH. Staff
1 psychotherapist
2 psychologists-in-training for
Funding psychotherapy
Funding sources include the UN- 1 physician
VFVT, E-Changer, Interteam, OAK, 1 nurse
1 person responsible for investi-
SAL, and AESITEI. gation and research
1 assistant for investigation and
Future plans research
1 administrator
Consolidate the ITEI in La Paz; sus- 1 accountant
tain the consolidation of the ITEI 2 lawyers
in Cochabamba; create a centre in 1 general practitioner
Oruro; develop training activities Working language(s)
and extend investigations; start Spanish, English, Aymara
work in Sucre and Alto Parapeti.
Number of clients treated per year
748 primary torture victims
228 secondary torture victims
286 other clients
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Association for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims – Centre
for Torture Victims (CTV)
Primary objective(s)
• Treatment and rehabilitation of
torture victims and their families
from the war in B&H
• Documentation, monitoring,
research and publication of re-
search data
• Prevention of torture at the pri-
mary, secondary and tertiary
level
• Presentation of research and
clinical results at local and inter-
national symposia and confer-
ences
• Cooperation with local and inter-
national governmental and non-
governmental organisations.
Treatment
All nationalities residing in Bosnia
and Herzegovina are treated at the
CTV. The centre offers multidisci-
plinary treatment to torture survi-
vors and their family members in
order to decrease complex conse-
quences of torture at somatic, psy-
chological and social levels. Most
clients are Bosnian (over 90%) and
the rest are Serbian, Croatian, Al-
banian or other nationalities.
Training
CTV’s training activities started
with the organisation of education-
al seminars with the theme “Tor-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: dental, gynaecological
Psychiatric and ophthalmologic treatment
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
ture and Rehabilitation” for pro-
fessionals from the official health
care system. These activities con-
tinued with training given to police
officers, as well as training of law
enforcement personnel in the field
of torture and international instru-
ments for torture prevention. We
have increased general public
awareness of the issue of torture
through regular media presence.
Research
In our monitoring programme,
we use different questionnaires
and psychological instruments
in order to collect data regarding
the socio-demographic status of
victims, types of torture experi-
enced, somatic and psychological
consequences of torture, and data
regarding all types of services pro-
vided.
Documentation
All of the results of the monitoring
programme and clinical experi-
ences were presented in the book
“Treatment of torture and trauma
survivors in the post-war society”,
published in 2003 and at two con-
ferences organised by CTV Sara-
jevo. CTV staff members actively
participate in numerous local and
international conferences, con-
25
gresses and symposia, and have Contact
presented a number of scientific Branilaca Sarajeva 11/1
71000 Sarajevo
studies and articles. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Prevention Phone: +387 33 44 222 867
Fax: +387 33 44 222 867
A significant part of prevention ctvmost1@bih.net.ba; ctv-
activities is related to the pub- most2@bih.net.ba
www.bannet.org
lishing of two manuals: “Torture,
Consequences and Rehabilitation” Established
and “Torture - medical and legal 1997
aspects”. Director(s)
Dr Dubravka Salcic, MSc, Medical
Information and advocacy Director
CTV’s activities were directed to- Contact person(s)
wards the lobbying of the B&H Dr Dubravka Salcic, MSc, Medical
Government and participation in Director; Azra Nuhic, Financial
Officer
the writing of “The First Initial Re-
port on the State of Human Rights Staff
in B&H”. 5 psychiatrists
1 psychiatrist trainee
1 general practitioner
Networking 1 psychologist
The Centre is a member of the Bal- 1 social worker
1 field worker
kan and European Network of Cen- 1 financial officer
tres for Rehabilitation of Torture 1 administrator
1 attorney
Victims.
Working language(s)
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian,
English
Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Vive Žene, Center for Therapy and Rehabilitation
ICAR team members at the reception area
Primary objective(s)
• Provide psychotherapeutic treat-
ment, psychosocial, social, med-
ical and legal support to torture
victims
• Mitigate effects of trauma-re-
lated disorders and facilitate the
recovery process of victims
• Prevent trans-generational trans-
mission of trauma for children
and adolescents
• Achieve institutional sustainabil-
ity through improving co-opera-
tion and partnerships
• Influence BH State to acknowl-
edge victims of torture as claim
holders and to enforce their
rights.
Treatment
Rehabilitation service activities
include: initial screening and diag-
nostics; psychotherapy (individual
and group); medical intervention;
body therapy; occupational ther-
apy; social work; legal support.
Psychotherapy is done using dif-
ferent kinds of therapy approach-
es: Gestalt therapy, psychodrama,
group psychoanalysis, systemic
family therapy, and body therapy.
The focus of medical treatment is
on general medical diagnosis and
therapy next to the treatment
and monitoring of psychosomatic
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Group of beneficiaries
disorders. Social work is done in
groups or individually, depend-
ing on the goal and problems. The
centre also works for the regula-
tion status of victims and supports
them in achieving their rights.
Training
Vive Žene provides training to other
NGOs and institutions on the sub-
jects of trauma, recovery, stress,
communication, family therapy.
Research
Research is focused on process-
ing and producing material that
will contribute to witnessing on
war experiences and the experi-
ences of people after the war, and
on developing a basic model for
diagnosis during treatment and for
treatment of traumatised persons,
i.e. the “Vive Žene Model”.
Legal
Legal counselling provides infor-
mation to the beneficiaries about
their rights as a victim of torture,
about property and tenancy rights
that need to be solved, as well as
general information from other le-
gal domains.
Documentation
Vive Žene publishes a collection
26
of articles once a year and infor- Contact
Alekse Santica bb
mational materials; inputs data
75000 Tuzla
in database of beneficiaries; and Bosnia and Herzegovina
develops models for improvement
Phone: +387 352 24 310/ +387
of documentation and creating the
352 24 311
base for further research work. Fax: +387 352 24 311
vivezene@bih.net.ba
www.vivezene.ba
Prevention
Through training and psychosocial Established
work Vive Žene works on preven- 1994
tion with children and the young. Director(s)
Jasna Zecevic
Information and advocacy
Contact person(s)
Lobbying and advocacy will be Jasna Zecevic, Augustina Rah-
done in order to influence State au- manovic, Mima Dahic
thorities and other professionals
Staff
to design programmes that specifi- 4 psychotherapists
cally respond to the psychosocial 4 psychologists
3 social workers
needs of torture victims. Activities
2 pedagogues
include organising a campaign on 1 teacher
26 June and advocating for national 1 doctor
1 nurse
programmes for repatriation and
1 lawyer
rehabilitation of torture victims. 1 coordinator
1 director
1 body therapist
Networking 1 clinical psychologist
Vive Žene is member of Reference 1 psychiatrist
Group Tuzla, IRCT network and 1 coordinator, documentation
and research
Rape Crisis Network Europe. Vive 1 bookkeeper
Zene is working to establish a net- 1 administrator/secretary
work of torture victims’ associa- 5 other support staff (cook,
cleaner, driver, guard)
tions in BIH. 1 logistic assistant
1 field assistant
Funding
Working language(s)
Donors include the EU, UN Trust Bosnian
Fund, Soros, IAMANEH, SDC.
Number of clients treated per year
512 primary torture victims
815 secondary torture victims
412 other clients treated
Brazil

Grupo Tortura Nunca Mais/Rio de Janeiro (GTNM/RJ)

Primary objective(s) Research Networking Contact

• Provide medical, psychological,
physical and social rehabilitation
assistance to victims of torture
and also legal advice, in repara-
tion and government accountabil-
ity cases
• Prepare students and health
professionals, both ethically and
technically, to assist public sys-
tem clients affected by violence
• Organise activities in defence of
human rights
• Develop investigations to improve
the quality of clinical assistance
and exchange information with
other human rights organisations
• Edit and publish scientific papers
on clinical work.
Research entitled “Transgenera-
tional Effects of Trauma” was con-
ducted in partnership with three
other centres from the South Cone,
also IRCT members.
Documentation
The documentation of torture has
been taken up with local public or-
gans, urging punitive action against
the perpetrators of these violations.
On the international level, GTNM/RJ
and other human rights organisa-
tions have been compiling and
sending extensive documentation
on torture practices to the United
Nations Committee against Torture.
In 2002, GTNM/RJ published the
The Group is a member of Red-
Salud–DDHH, supported by IRCT;
FEDEFAM; SOS Torture and the In-
ternational Society for Health and
Human Rights.
Rua General Polidoro 238
Sobreloja, Botafogo
Rio de Janeiro - 22280-000
Brazil
Phone: +55 21 2286 8762; +55 21
2526 2491
Fax: +55 21 2538 0428
eclinicgtnm@alternex.com.br;
gtnm@alternex.com.br
www.torturanuncamais-rj.org.br
Established
1985
Director(s)
Elizabeth Silveira e Silva, Presi-
dent; Dr Cecília Maria Bouças
Coimbra, Vice-President
Contact person(s)
Victor Paschoal, Secretary to the
Clinical Project; Zélia Esteves,
GTNM/RJ Secretary

first Brazilian version of the Istan- Staff

Treatment
Treatment used in clinical work
includes individual and group psy-
chotherapy, medical treatment, so-
cial rehabilitation and physical re-
habilitation, day hospital and home
care (in special cases).
Training
The centre offers capacity-building
workshops on human rights and
clinical issues, targeting public
health professionals in poor city
outskirts where violations are more
frequent.
bul Protocol. 1 supervisor
2 medical doctors
6 clinical psychologists
Information and advocacy 1 social rehabilitator
The centre publishes a newsletter 2 physiotherapists
2 lawyers
on civil society movements and the
1 project manager
human rights situation in Brazil. The 1 secretary
clinical team has published several
Working language(s)
scientific papers and books “Clíni- Portuguese, English, Spanish
ca e Política: Subjetividade e Di-
reitos Humanos” and co-published Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
“Paisajes del Dolor, Senderos de Es-
peranza: Salud Mental y Derechos
Humanos en el Cono Sur”.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: day hospital and
Psychiatric home care
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

27
Bulgaria

Assistance Centre for Torture Survivors (ACET)

Opening session of the International conference “Recol- Clients of ACET’s rehabilitation programme (ex-political pris-
lection and memories”, 5-6 November 2005, Sofia oners and survivors of the camps) with executive director
Ms. Mimoza Dimitrova

Primary objective(s) categories of professionals: law Information and advocacy Contact

• Provision of psychological, psy-
chotherapeutic, psychiatric and
social care and rehabilitation to
victims of torture and trauma
• Prevention of torture and other
cruel, inhumane or degrading
treatment
• Public education and psycho-edu-
cation about short-term and long-
term consequences of torture, po-
litical persecution and systematic
violation of human rights
• Study and research on inter- and
trans-generational transmission
of trauma
• Development of complex study,
training, educational and treat-
ment activities for overcoming the
post-totalitarian phenomenon in
the society and its impact on the
psychological functioning of indi-
viduals and groups.
Treatment
Treatment methods include in-
dividual, group and children’s
psychotherapy; adolescent coun-
selling; psychiatric and medical
consultations; and social counsel-
ling and assistance.
Training
ACET developed its own training
modules targeting the following
enforcement personnel; personnel
in detention centres for migrants
and asylum seekers; interpreters
in an asylum procedure; mental
health professionals in trauma
treatment and trans-generational
aspects; academic students in psy-
chology and social work on trauma
of political persecution and impact
on the next generation.
Research
ACET has conducted a qualitative
study on second and next genera-
tion survivors of torture and politi-
cal persecution.
Legal
Referrals are made to a legal clinic
for migrants and refugees, and to
the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee.
Documentation
ACET has produced video docu-
mentation of personal narratives
of the survivors of the political op-
pression in Bulgaria.
Prevention
The centre organises special events
(roundtables, public discussions,
conferences) on the occasion of 26
June.
ACET collects case studies for ad- Sofia 1680, Beli brezi
7-9 Zvanika Str. floor 1, ap. 3
vocacy and for lobbying against Bulgaria
human rights abuses of detained
asylum seekers, migrants, etc. Phone: +359 2 958 46 36
Fax: +359 2 958 46 36
office@acet-bg.org; acet@
Networking omega.bg
www.acet-bg.org
ACET is networked with the Bul-
garian Refugee Council, Balkan Established
Network for Prevention of Torture 1995
and Ariadne Network against Hu- Director(s)
man Trafficking in South-Eastern Ms Mimoza Dimitrova
and Eastern Europe.
Contact person(s)
Ms Mimoza Dimitrova; Ms Kristina
Funding Gologanova
Funding comes from international
Staff
public donors. 1 psychiatrist
4 psychotherapists
Future plans 2 psychologists
2 social workers
Develop a programme for sup- 1 interpreter
port of the children and parents of 1 accountant
traumatised asylum seekers and
Working language(s)
refugees; develop a programme for Bulgarian, English, German,
counselling detained asylum seek- Spanish, Russian, French
ers and non-documented aliens;
Number of clients treated per year
develop academic courses on psy- 40 primary torture victims
cho trauma and torture. 65 secondary torture victims
10 other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: individual and group
Psychiatric psychotherapy for the second
generation victims, children
Referrals and adolescents; training of law
Social welfare enforcement personnel
Family-based treatment

28
Cambodia
Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO)
TPO staff at the Annual Conference 2007
Primary objective(s)
To support those who are unable to
care for themselves due to trauma,
mental illness, poverty and a lack of
social support, by developing pro-
grammes that directly benefit people
at the grassroots level, by improv-
ing their mental health and thereby
increasing their ability to care for
themselves and their families.
Treatment
TPO Cambodia provides counsel-
ling/psychiatric treatment and
support group therapy (self-help
group). The total number of clients
receiving counselling/psychiatric
treatment in our Phnom Penh Cent-
er in 2007 was 372 (new patient);
self-help groups in the target com-
munities had 1,403 beneficiaries.
The estimated number for 2008
would be around 436 clients for
counselling/psychiatric treatment
and 1,156 self-help group benefi-
ciaries.
Training
TPO Cambodia has provided a va-
riety of training activities to other
health care professionals, espe-
cially staff members at health cen-
tres, and to other NGO staff who
provide health care to victims of
trauma/abuse.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
IRCT conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia,
October 2007
Research
Research is carried out on: ef-
ficacy and cost-effectiveness of
psychosocial interventions, the
psychosocial well-being of repat-
riated children who have been
the victims of trafficking, mental
health and reconciliation, mater-
nal mental health as a risk factor
in low birth rates and poor infant
growth, and psychological prob-
lems among witnesses testifying
in the Extraordinary Chambers in
the Courts of Cambodia - the trial
for Khmer Rouge genocide.
Documentation
TPO Cambodia has a small library
for books and other documents
and has improved its database
systems.
Prevention
TPO Cambodia also provides psy-
chosocial education to people
in the target communities and
through radio broadcasts to raise
awareness on psychosocial and
mental health issues and for the
prevention of mental health prob-
lems.
Information and advocacy
TPO Cambodia’s approaches and
activities in Cambodia have been
29
publicised in several media chan- Contact
nels and reports (TVs, newspaper #20 St. 334
Sangkat Boueng Keng Kang I
and radio). Chamcarmon, Phnom Penh city
Cambodia
Networking
Phone: +855 23 224 665
TPO Cambodia works alongside Fax: +855 23 218 478
with government departments/ admin@tpocambodia.org
www.tpocambodia.org
counterparts and with many dif-
ferent internal organizations and Established
local NGOs in the country. 1994
Director(s)
Funding Dr. Sotheara Chhim
TPO Cambodia has received
Contact person(s)
funding support from the EC, In- Mr. Kang San, Program Officer
ter-church Organization for De-
velopment and Cooperation, Dan- Staff
5 administrative staff
ChurchAid, GTZ and DED, AusAID, 2 IT/research assistants
USAID, Louvain Developpement, 4 managers
UNICEF and private donors. 25 physicians
4 psychiatric nurses
5 psychiatrists
Future plans 15 psychologists
The future strategy comprises two 11 social/community workers
21 support staff
key strategic aims to make TPO
gradually more sustainable in the Working language(s)
Khmer and English
next 5 years and beyond: develop-
ing an income generating business Number of clients treated per year
to improve financial independence 1775 primary, secondary and
other clients
for TPO, and maintaining and de-
veloping the community mental
health programme and diversify-
ing donor funds.
Cameroon

Centre for Rehabilitation and Abolition of Torture (CRAT)

The US Ambassador to Cameroon, the Executive Direc- The US Ambassador and the Executive
tor of CRAT, staff and beneficiary urban refugees Director of CRAT, Ajou Basil Tifu

Primary objective(s) development, strategic planning Information and advocacy Contact

• Promote peace and prevent
violence among all individuals
and groups in Cameroon and
beyond
• Rehabilitate victims through
medical, psychological, legal
and socio-economic assistance
• Empower local communities/
organisations to provide serv-
ices to victims of trauma and
torture
• Conduct research to better un-
derstand torture, develop best
practice models and demon-
strate impact
• Create collaborative partner-
ships with organisations work-
ing toward the same goals.
Treatment
Since 2000, CRAT has reached out
to more than 5,500 survivors of war,
torture and other forms of system-
atic violence through psychosocial
support, medical and psychiatric
care. CRAT’s clients include prison-
ers, refugees and asylum seekers.
Training
In the past, CRAT has provided
training and capacity building of
staff and partners on trauma coun-
selling skills and routine supervi-
sion of clinical staff. Recently, CRAT
carried out training and capacity
building of staff in organisational
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling
Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: crisis intervention,
Psychiatric outcome evaluation, commu-
nity education and marketing,
Referrals economic reintegration
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
and management.
Research
CRAT has information on more than
5,500 clients but does not have a
permanent, appropriately skilled
person to build a sustainable re-
search programme. CRAT encour-
ages graduate students from aca-
demic institutions in Cameroon to
do short-term research with CRAT.
Legal
CRAT provides legal counselling to
victims of torture in detention cen-
tres who are awaiting trial and to
refugees and asylum seekers whose
case files are still in process.
Documentation
Individual files contain data such
as name, age, sex, marital status,
listed complaints, presumptive
diagnoses and treatment regime,
and outcomes.
Prevention
CRAT raises awareness on the need
to prevent torture and other human
rights abuses, and advocates for
government involvement and sup-
port. Inspection visits are carried
out at detention facilities and the
findings are published.
CRAT provides psycho-education BP 30198, Bastos, Yaounde,
Cameroon
to victims of human rights abuses. C/O Ajuo Basil Tifu
CRAT uses occasions like 26 June Nouvelle Route Bastos
for information and advocacy in- Behind the Office of the UN
Regional Centre for Human Rights
volving the government, politi- and Democracy in Central Africa
cians, NGOs, school teachers, Cameroon
community leaders and the mass
Phone: +237 22 20 24 99
media to encourage respect for hu- Mobile: +237 75 32 04 18; +237 99
man rights and prevent torture. 10 36 05
Fax: +237 22 20 24 99
cratcamr@yahoo.com
Networking www.cratcameroon.org
CRAT is working in partnership with
B.P. 1094, Ndamukong Street
various NGOs, UN agencies, hospi- Bamenda
tals, refugee and relief agencies and North West Province
prisons. CRAT is an operational part- Cameroon
ner of the UNHCR in Cameroon, and Phone: +237 33 36 24 28
a member of the African Network of cratbamenda@yahoo.com
Torture Rehabilitation Centres.
Established
2000
Funding
Funding comes from CVT/USAID, Director(s)
Prof. Daniel N. Lantum, Chairman;
UNVFVT, United States Embassy Ajuo Basil Tifu, Executive Director
in Cameroon, OAK/Sigrid Rausing
Contact person(s)
Trust Foundation, IRCT, EU/Italian
Ajuo Basil Tifu, Executive Director
Refugee Council in partnership
with the Flemish Refugee Council, Staff
Yaounde centre:
MIVA Netherlands, War Trauma
1 executive director
Foundation, Global Fund, Health 1 program manager
Vigilance Programme. 1 secretary
1 accountant (both offices)
Future plans Bamenda centre:
Construct a resource centre for 1 director
1 secretary
psychiatric treatment; establish a 2 medical doctors
bigger resource library; upgrade 5 state registered nurses
personnel to trainers in trauma and 1 psychiatric nurse
2 psychologists
trauma counselling. 2 counsellors
2 social workers
2 researchers
3 auxiliary staff
Working language(s)
English, French and Pidgin
Number of clients treated per year
159 primary torture victims
312 secondary torture victims
237 other clients treated

30
Cameroon

Trauma Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence

and Torture (TCC)

Remembering victims of genocide in Rwanda, a joint programme of the United Nations

Information Center in Yaounde and Trauma Centre Cameroon

Primary objective(s)
• Foster psychological, social,
medical and legal support for
survivors of torture
• Advocate public awareness on
trauma issues through public
sensitisation
• Enhance trauma healing and
reparations and restitutions for
victims
• Promote community integration
of survivors through reconcilia-
tion processes.
Treatment
Treatment is handled by four major
services: medical treatment – gen-
eral and specialised, physiother-
apy, psychotherapy, arts therapy;
somatic healing and highly active
antiretroviral therapy- HAART, so-
cial counselling and accompani-
ment; pastoral care and juridical
follow-up of victims in and out of
prisons, especially minors and
women; lobbying, advocacy and
sensitisation through media out-
lets.
Training
Our trainings are focused on laying
the foundation for both assistance
and torture prevention strategies
for practitioners and stakeholders.
Training is dedicated to caregivers
on forensic healing methods and that we use to substantiate our ad- Contact
torture prevention methods. We vocacy and lobbying. We will there- BP 30346
Yaounde 13
have trained both local and inter- fore engage in collecting data of Cameroon
national staff on holistic approach- survivors, what torture they have
es to trauma treatment. suffered and the compensation Phone: +237 22 31 35 27; +237 99
56 74 29
and reparation due them. Fax: +237 22 31 22 55
Documentation tc_rehabilitation@yahoo.com
www.traumacentrecameroon.org
TCC documents cases of torture in Future plans
the country and shares informa- Putting in place a vibrant coalition Established
tion in our quarterly journal, with of centres in the country and de- 1997
national and international organi- veloping an action plan for torture Director(s)
sations and institutions, and with prevention within the sub region; Peter Kum Che
different administrative and dip- putting in place a resource coali-
Contact person(s)
lomatic institutions. We also or- tion of psychotherapists within Peter Kum Che; Lontio Boniface
ganise media oriented events and the country on experiential learn-
press interviews where we share ing and matters related to burn out; Staff
2 medical doctors
views and data of cases received investigating cultural approaches 1 nurse
and treated. to the rehabilitation of survivors 2 psychologists
of torture in Central Africa sub re- 1 social worker
2 lawyers
Prevention gion. 1 pastor
Owing to the fact that TCC inter- 1 coordinator for statistics,
vention is basically relief oriented, monitoring and evaluation
1 cashier
it has been noted that a purely 1 director
social strategy is no longer feasi- 1 accountant
1 researcher
ble therefore TCC has embarked
3 volunteers
on torture prevention strategies. 3 consultants
This involves torture sensitisation
Working language(s)
programmes to cause awareness French and English
of populations on the malfeasance
of torture. Number of clients treated per year
325 primary torture victims
120 secondary torture victims
Information and advocacy 50 other clients
We develop and publish data of
cases in newspapers, and we pub-
lish messages from IRCT, UNVFVT,

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: income generation activi-
Psychiatric ties, advocacy and lobbying
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

31
Canada

Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT)

CCVT staff CCVT clients and volunteers in a canoe trip

Primary objective(s)
• Organise holistic care for survi-
vors of torture and other crimes
against humanity and their
families
• Coordinate research and investi-
gation arising from the needs of
survivors
• Educate health care profession-
als and others to work for the
well-being of survivors
• Educate the public to oppose tor-
ture both as a human rights and
as a public health problem
• Monitor international instru-
ments and work toward preven-
tion, eradication and exposure
of torture.
Treatment
The CCVT uses a holistic commu-
nity model in rehabilitation of sur-
vivors. All expenses are covered
through the Ontario Insurance
Health Plan and the Interim Federal
Health Plan for refugee claimants.
Referrals are made to health clinics
for clients not eligible for the above
programmes and for treatment that
cannot be provided at the centre.
York University, is offering a cer-
tificate programme in Refugee and
Migration Issues.
Research
The CCVT is involved in research on
the absolute prohibition of torture,
non-refoulement and rehabilita-
tion through partnerships with the
University of Toronto and York Uni-
versity.
Legal
The CCVT Legal Committee deals
with the clients’ legal problems
and is active in policy analysis, le-
gal support and research.
Documentation
The CCVT’s health network mem-
bers provide documentation to
support clients in refugee hear-
ings and cases concerning protec-
tion of survivors and meaningful
settlement.
Prevention
The CCVT is a founding member of
the Canadian Centre of Internation-
al Justice (CCIJ). We work closely
tive and policy changes on behalf Contact
194 Jarvis Street, 2nd Floor
of survivors; organises national
Toronto
conferences; monitors government Ontario M5B2B7
compliance with human rights trea- Canada
ties and sends reports to the gov-
Phone: +1 416 363 1066
ernment and relevant UN bodies. Fax: +1 416 363 2122
mabai@ccvt.org
www.ccvt.org
Networking
The CCVT collaborates with the Established
Canadian Council for Refugees, 1977
Ontario Council Serving Immi- Director(s)
grants, Canadian Network for the Mulugeta Abai
Health of Survivors of Torture and
Contact person(s)
Organized Violence, Toronto Refu- Mulugeta Abai
gee Affairs Council, Amnesty, CCIJ,
Mount Sinai Trauma Team and vari- Staff
2 family physicians (foreign
ous universities and colleges. We trained)
have networks with faith groups, 4 social workers (BSW and MSW)
1 lawyer
law firms, UNHCR and ethnic com-
3 children’s workers
munities. 1 paralegal
1 immigration and human rights
specialist
Funding 10 settlement and trauma coun
The centre receives funding from sellors
the federal, provincial and munici- 8 language and computer
instructors
pal governments, UNVFVT, United 250 volunteers
Way of Toronto, religious groups
and individual donors. Working language(s)
English, French, Spanish, Arabic,
Somali, Tamil, Dari, Pashtu, Kin-
Future plans yarwanda, Farsi, Amharic, Oromo,
Improve on-site treatment, docu- Tigrigna

Training
The CCVT trains frontline workers,
teachers, health professionals,
refugee rights workers, immigra-
tion officers, faith groups and stu-
dents. CCVT, in partnership with
with the CCIJ, Amnesty Interna-
tional and the Canadian Council
for Refugees to prevent torture and
end impunity.
Information and advocacy
The centre advocates for legisla-
mentation, legal advice and other
holistic services; improve services Number of clients treated per year
at second site in East Toronto; do 778 primary torture victims
101 secondary torture victims
more research, policy change, 600 other clients treated
public awareness and prevention;
partner with rehabilitation centres
in the developing world.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: employment, education,
Psychiatric befriending, private tutoring, case
management, computer training,
Referrals crisis intervention, support groups,
Social welfare immigration, interpretation, volun-
Family-based treatment teering, homework club for children

32
Canada
Health and Wellness Program for Survivors of Torture and
Trauma at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
Primary objective(s)
• Improve the mental health
status of survivors of human
rights violations, refugees, im-
migrants and refugee claimants
and their families in a commu-
nity-based, immigrant serving
agency
• Promote public awareness of
needs, barriers and issues faced
by traumatized newcomers
• Promote an understanding of is-
sues pertaining to survivors of
trauma and torture
• Harmonise Western concepts,
techniques and procedures for
mental health with traditional
and culturally sanctioned ap-
proaches, whenever possible
• Improve the capacity of main-
stream and immigrant serving
agencies to support survivors
and families.
Treatment
The Health and Wellness Program
provides comprehensive, commu-
nity based services for refugees
and immigrants, primary and sec-
ondary victims of human rights
violations. Numerous modalities
of treatment are utilised, including
crisis counselling, psychological
long- and short-term counselling,
stress management, and long- and
short-term therapy focused on
healing from trauma.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: advocacy on behalf of
Psychiatric clients
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training
Training focuses on promoting
public awareness of issues and
barriers faced by refugees and
immigrants who are survivors.
Training is done through lectures
and presentations for mainstream
service providers, ESL teachers,
health providers, cultural health
brokers, interpreters, social work-
ers and others who work with im-
migrant and refugees.
Research
Research on new and the most ef-
fective treatment methods is being
conducted on an ongoing basis.
Legal
The centre helps to connect clients
with an immigration lawyer, and of-
fers legal aid and report writing for
the Refugee Hearing Board in cases
of refugee claimants.
Documentation
The following is documented in
clients’ files: testimony data, as-
sessment results, follow-up and
psychotherapy progress notes,
reports prepared for the Refu-
gee Hearing Board and statistical
data.
Prevention
A series of presentations, meet-
ings with mainstream service pro-
33
viders and panel presentations Contact
were conducted to prevent second- 11713 - 82 Street
Edmonton
ary traumatisation of traumatized Alberta
newcomers. T5B 2V9
Canada
Information and advocacy Phone: +1 780 423 9696; +1 780
Advocacy is conducted on behalf 424 7709
Fax: +1 780 424 7736
of refugee claimants/trauma sur-
j.bukczynska@emcn.ab.ca
vivors by accompanying them to www.emcn.ab.ca
medical appointments, connect-
Established
ing with an interpreter, helping in
1994
settlement issues, providing in-
formation and help in getting into Director(s)
Mr Jim Gurnett, Executive Direc-
ESL classes and accessing other tor; Ms Val Cudmore, Program
services. Coordinator
Contact person(s)
Networking Ms Joanna Bukczynska, C.Psych.
The programme collaborates with
local social services, multicultural Staff
2 chartered psychologists
health brokers, mainstream mental 3 provisionally chartered
health organisations, Amnesty In- psychologists
ternational, settlement, language 2 social workers
and employment services within Working language(s)
the agency. It also participates as English
much as possible in consultation
Number of clients treated per year
with CanNet, a collective of cen- 65 primary torture victims
tres serving survivors of torture in 83 secondary torture victims
74 other clients
Canada.
Funding
Funding sources include UNVFVT,
Alberta Mental Health, United Way,
Social Services, private donations
and other sources.
Canada
Intervention Network for Persons having been subjected
to Organised Violence (RIVO)
Primary objective(s)
• To assist people who have suf-
fered the effects of organised
violence, and facilitate the in-
tegration of their traumatic ex-
periences
• To sensitise the host community
and health and social service
providers to the realities of the
target population
• To develop links with agencies
and organisations concerned
with the target population.
Treatment
In seeking to meet the needs of
people who have been subjected
to torture, RIVO offers psycho-
social and psychotherapeutic
services, medical follow-up, ac-
companiment, art therapy, mas-
sage therapy, etc. We function as
a network of service providers, as
opposed to a centre housing all
services under one roof. In 2007,
317 persons received psychologi-
cal counselling, including 215 new
referrals. Of those referred to us in
2007, there was an equal number
of men and women; the vast major-
ity were between 26 and 45 years
of age; and the Americas were the
primary region of origin, followed
by Africa, then Asia. Individual
psychotherapy is our primary in-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Massage therapy
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
tervention with survivors of torture
and organised violence. We gener-
ally follow from 150 to 300 persons
in any given year, and offer follow-
up for as long as necessary. Most
of our clients are asylum claimants
who have been in Canada for less
than two years. In parallel with our
psychotherapy, we occasionally
offer massage therapy to persons
who have been affected physically
by the violence they have suffered,
or who are receptive to massage as
a means of stress reduction. These
sessions are generally limited to a
dozen or so.
Training
Training is held for workers in
frontline agencies, non-profit and
community organisations, and ed-
ucational systems, in order to sen-
sitise them to the needs of victims
of torture. Since 1995-1996, more
than 250 health and social service
providers have been trained. Also,
special meetings related to a par-
ticular theme or a specific group of
service providers are organised on
a regular basis.
Research
RIVO regularly participates ac-
tively in research projects dealing
with a variety of issues related to
34
survivors of torture and organised
violence. These projects have, in
recent years, focused particularly
on children and women.
Documentation
RIVO has created a specialised
documentation centre of approxi-
mately 1,000 items. The centre
is already serving students, re-
searchers and others interested in
the subject of organised violence.
New documents are continuously
being added to the library.
Networking
We are an active member of the
Canadian Network for Health and
Human Rights of Survivors of Tor-
ture and Organised Violence. We
are also members of the Canadian
Council for Refugees.
Contact
120, rue Duluth Est
Montreal, Quebec
H2W 1H1
Canada
Phone: +1 514 282 0661
Mobile: +1 514 730 0363
Fax: +1 514 282 0661;
rivo@web.ca
www.web.ca/~rivo
Established
1990
Director(s)
John Docherty, Coordinator
Contact person(s)
John Docherty, Coordinator
Staff
1 coordinator
1 assistant coordinator
1 psychiatrist
2 physicians (generalists)
11 psychologists
12 psychotherapists
3 massage therapists
2 community organizations
Working language(s)
English, French, Spanish (other
languages with interpreters)
Number of clients treated per year
160 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
160 other clients
Canada

Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST)

Primary objective(s)
• Provide clinical and support
services to survivors of torture,
trauma and political violence
• Assist refugees and immigrants
with all aspects of settlement,
including advocating on behalf
of our clients with government
and other organisations
• Support our clients to heal and
embrace their new lives
• Educate the public on the im-
portance of preventing torture
• Build community.
Treatment
VAST provides tailored psycho-
therapy services, including: crisis
intervention, individual, child, fam-
ily therapy, off-site sessions, and
collaborative interventions with
other agencies and providers. The
frequency of sessions, inclusion
of family members, and the use
of interpreters varies according to
individual needs. To accommodate
culturally diverse clients, thera-
pists use a flexible psychotherapy
model and consider clients’ expe-
riences, preferences and cultural
backgrounds in planning mental
health services.
Training
VAST works with peer supervision
and has in-house training and reg-
ular clinical meetings.
Documentation
VAST has a limited documenta-
tion library accessible by appoint-
ment.
Information and advocacy
VAST provides training to profes-
sionals who have the opportunity
to work with torture survivors in
legal, medical, mental health, so-
cial service and other community
settings. VAST also provides pub-
lic outreach, education workshops
and community forums about tor-
ture and its consequences.    Staff
Networking
VAST is currently the head of Can-
Net, a member of the Canadian
Council for Refugees and Vancou-
ver Multicultural Society, and is in-
formally affiliated with Vancouver
General Hospital.
Funding
VAST receives funding from fed-
eral, provincial and municipal
governments; UNVFVT; member-
ship fees; and private donations
from individuals and community
groups.
Future plans
As decided by programme par-
ticipants (i.e. clients), VAST will
continue to be “survivor-centred”
– meaning that our programmes
and services reflect the growing
needs of our clients. VAST also
plans on expanding our commu-
nity outreach programme target-
ing schools and community groups
across British Columbia.
Contact
2618 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V5K 1Z6
Canada
Phone: +1 604 299 35 39
Fax: +1 604 299 35 23
care@vast-vancouver.ca
www.vast-vancouver.ca
Established
1986
Director(s)
Barb Young, Brenda J. Wemp,
Craig Constantino, Marzeih Niazi,
Mehmet Ali Can, Pablo Bustos,
Stephanie Sersli, Yasmin Tayob
Contact person(s)
Christine Thomas, Executive
Director
1 executive director
1 clinical director
5 psychologists
1 settlement coordinator
interns
interpreters
volunteers
practicum students
Working language(s)
English, French, Spanish, Farsi,
Arabic. Translators are also avail-
able on-call.
Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: VAST Boutique with clothing
Psychiatric and household items; community
kitchen and emergency loans
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

35
Chad
Youth for Peace and Non violence Association/Victim of
torture and Rehabilitation Centre (AJPNV/CRVT)
Primary objective(s)
• To educate citizens on human
right
• To contribute to the abolition of
the torture
• To contribute to the rehabilita-
tion of the torture victims.
Treatment
AJPNV/CRVT provides medical sup-
port to victims, including refugees,
depending on resources available.
Financial assistance can be pro-
vided to support the rehabilitation
process.
Training
Since 2002 AJPNV/CRVT has organ-
ized many debates, conferences,
seminars and training sessions in
order to strengthen the capacity of
the staff. Other seminars involve
police officers, gendarmes, and
the chiefs of the villages, as these
are often being regarded as the
main perpetrators and committing
the human rights abuses in Chad.
Documentation
Information on the rehabilitation of
a victim is documented in a file. Also
information concerning the victim’s
condition and AJPNV/CRVT’s inter-
vention in documented here.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Prevention Contact
We work to create public to aware- AJPNV/CRVT
BP 1964
ness on the issue of torture. N’djamena
Chad
Information and advocacy
Phone: +235 23 36 50; +235 2
Our activities include publication 53 94
of annual reports and arranging ajpnva@yahoo.fr
campaigns against torture.
Established
2001
Networking
Director(s)
AJPNV/CRVT has relationship with Nodjigoto Charbonnel, AJPNV/
others organisation such as ACAT- CRVT national president
CHAD, ATNV (non-violence Chad
Contact person(s)
association), TNV (non-violence Nodjigoto Charbonnel, AJPNV/
Chad association). CRVT national president; Djimta
Modobe Yves, national coordina-
tor
Future plans
• To develop effective advo- Staff
cacy activities; increasing the 2 social workers
4 nurses
number of the staff and the 2 lawyers
clinic capacities 1 accountant
• To initiate a programme for child 1 secretary
3 administration workers
victims of ill-treatment 10 voluenteers
• To contribute to the assessment
Working language(s)
of information and statistics
French and English
gathered from the field, which
will form the basis for future re- Number of clients treated per year
36 primary torture victims
search projects. 24 secondary torture victims
5 other clients
36
Chile
Center for Mental Health and Human Rights (CINTRAS)
Some of the staff members of the CINTRAS, Chile
Primary objective(s)
• Alleviate the physical and emo-
tional suffering of persons af-
fected by torture or other forms
of political repression
• Promote the process of reha-
bilitation in all areas, including
physical, psychological and
mental health in the family,
work and social life
• Contribute to the development
and consolidation of the coun-
try’s democratic process, with
activities aimed at the prevention
of torture and against impunity.
Treatment
CINTRAS provides beneficiaries
with interdisciplinary treatment,
which requires the simultaneous
involvement of psychiatrists, psy-
chologists, occupational thera-
pists, family therapists, physio-
therapists and social workers. This
multi-faceted approach enables us
to offer comprehensive solutions
to the varied and complex patholo-
gies and disorders presented by
patients. Treatment is provided ei-
ther as individual, family or group
therapy. Target groups include tor-
ture survivors (most of whom have
spent many years in prison), rela-
tives of missing persons, relatives
of executed persons, exile return-
ees and refugees.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: occupational therapy,
Psychiatric ergo therapy, training
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training
CINTRAS has developed a lecture,
training and promotional pro-
gramme on mental health and hu-
man rights, aimed at health profes-
sionals working with primary health
assistance provided by the State.
CINTRAS receives Chilean and for-
eign students of psychology, occu-
pational therapy or social work for
internships and thesis work.
Research
Various studies have been con-
ducted on the psychosocial con-
sequences of torture, the impact
of impunity on the individual and
society and the importance of self-
supportive groups.
Documentation
Confidential case data containing
general records, as well as cours-
es of treatment, are processed
and kept in a database. A special-
ized documentation unit is open to
those interested in mental health
and human rights issues.
Prevention
Professionals from the public health
sector are trained in identifying dis-
orders derived from torture or other
traumatic repressive experiences,
focusing on sequelae, effects, ap-
proaches and treatment.
37
Information and advocacy Contact
Ricardo Matte Perez 372
Staff participate in seminars,
Providencia
conferences, etc., that deal with Santiago
mental health and human rights. Chile
CINTRAS plans campaigns for the
Phone: +56 2 344 47 94; +56 2
prevention of torture and against 209 45 74
impunity, and publishes reports Fax: +56 2 209 4574
cintras@cintras.org
and other materials. www.cintras.org
Networking Established
1986
As an active member of the Chil-
ean Assembly for Human Rights, Director(s)
CINTRAS cooperates with NGOs, Simona Ruy-Pérez, Executive
Director; Cecilia Vera, Medical
church and social organisations and Director; Marcela Sandoval, Train-
government health departments. ing and Publications Director
The centre is a member of the Latin
Contact person(s)
American Network and OMCT. Simona Ruy-Pérez; Marcela
Sandoval
Funding
Staff
CINTRAS is financed by the EU, UN- 4 psychiatrists
VFVT, Chilean governmental funds 4 psychologists
1 occupational therapist
and private donations.
2 family therapists
1 physiotherapist
Future plans 2 social workers
1 project coordinator
Continue providing free care to tor- 1 documentalist
ture survivors, relatives of missing 1 programmer
and murdered people, returnees 2 secretaries
1 accountant
and refugees; enlarge our training 1 office assistant
programme; organise activities for
torture prevention and the defence
Working language(s)
of human rights. Spanish
Number of clients treated per year
200 primary torture victims
100 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Colombia

Corporación AVRE - Psychosocial Accompaniment and

Assistance on Mental Health to Victims of Political Violence

Activities by the AVRE in Colombia

Primary objective(s) Training Network Against Torture – Red- Contact

• Carry out psychosocial and men-
tal health interdisciplinary work
based on human rights
• Contribute to fully restore the
human rights of people and or-
ganisations who have been the
victims of human rights viola-
tions, with priority to assisting
victims of political violence
• For humanitarian reasons,
Corporación AVRE can provide
specialised assistance to com-
munities and people who have
been the victims of other types
of violence or disasters.
Treatment
Corporación AVRE bases its treat-
ment on psychosocial work with a
human rights approach aimed at
the recovery of victims as psycho-
logical, social, cultural and political
subjects, by means of links with oth-
er actions. The therapeutic course
of action within this context fosters
a process of empowerment, recov-
ery of control, reconstruction and
transformation of the history of the
violent events and particularly of
the creation and/or reconstruction
of interpersonal relations aimed at
restoring the basic capacity for uni-
ty, autonomy, competence, identity,
intimacy and civic responsibility.
Corporación AVRE builds and shares
knowledge and skills on psychoso-
cial assistance to allow others to
carry out psychosocial and mental
health support actions in favour
of the victims of political violence.
Training is provided for grassroots
therapists and human rights and
humanitarian agents.
Legal
Psycho-legal support entails build-
ing the capacities of victims to de-
mand the implementation of their
rights. It also entails actions related
to the comprehensive assessment of
damages suffered, experts’ reports,
accompanying the victims in legal
and social scenarios, and training
lawyers and legal operators.
Information and advocacy
Corporación AVRE participates in
lobbying, monitoring and inter-in-
stitutional coordination strategies
that promote the inclusion of local,
national and international regional
realities and favour the compre-
hensive protection and recovery of
victims.
Networking
Corporación AVRE is member of the
Latin American and the Caribbean
Salud, The Colombia-Europe-United
States Coordination–CCE-EU, The
Alliance of Social and Like-minded
Organizations for Cooperation on
Peace and Democracy in Colombia,
and the Colombia Coalition Against
Torture – CCT.
Funding
The centre receives funds from the
Catholic Organisation for Relief
and Development Aid (CORDAID),
the Swiss Agency for Development
and Cooperation (SDC), DIAKONIA,
MISEREOR, OXFAM-GB and Project
Counselling Service.
Future plans
From 2009, we will be implementing
the EC-funded project “Psychosocial
and Mental Health Accompaniment
in Rehabilitation Processes for the
Victims of Torture and other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment in Colombia, South
America”.
Calle 61F No.24-42 B/El Campín
Bogotá, D.C.
Colombia
Phone: +57 1 347 36 17; +57 1 347
47 13
Fax: +57 1 248 79 69
corporacionavre@corporaciona-
vre.org; direccion@corporaciona-
vre.org; programas@corpora-
cionavre.org
Established
1992
Director(s)
Elena Martín, President and
Board of Directors; Gloria Amparo
Camilo, Director
Contact person(s)
Dora Lucia Lancheros, Program-
ming Area Coordinator; Hernando
Millán, Therapuetical Clinical
Assistance Coordinator
Staff
11 psychologists
1 psychiatrist
2 lawyers
2 anthropologists
2 political scientists
1 social worker
1 journalist
Working language(s)
Spanish
Number of clients treated per year
12 primary torture victims
136 secondary torture victims
1985 other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

38
Congo (Democratic Republic of the)
Centre Oasis for Health and Human Rights (OASIS)
Primary objective(s)
• Provide a holistic approach to re-
habilitation services to refugees,
torture/violence survivors
• Advocate against torture by ap-
plication of the conventions and
reporting cases to authorities
• Raise awareness about human
rights violations and generate
information about the state of
torture
• Supervise socio-economic reha-
bilitation to survivors and their
families
• Contribute to the culture of peace
and reconciliation.
Treatment
We provide multidisciplinary treat-
ment, which includes medical treat-
ment, physiotherapy, nursing care,
social and trauma counselling, legal
advice and referrals for specialized
treatment and legal redress. Clients
are either treated at the centre or
through our outreach programme.
We treat not only the victims of tor-
ture and violence, but also the vic-
tims of HIV/AIDS, social injustice,
poverty, wars, sexual abuse and
natural disasters in order to restore
their dignity.
Training
Formal trainings covering mental
health, psychosocial work, counsel-
ling, HIV/AIDS, democracy and hu-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
man rights for health professionals,
human rights activists, peace mak-
ers and social workers are carried
out in partnership with other NGOs.
Research
Research is conducted as part of
clients’ needs assessment. We
have developed questionnaires to
evaluate the impact of traditional
treatment in relation to the cost of
mental health and HIV/AIDS. We
are gathering baseline information
about torture/violence towards
women and children, especially ex-
combatants and girls.
Legal
We provide legal aid to victims who
need to get their rights recovered
whenever the mediation process
fails.
Documentation
We maintain legal and medical
documentation on cases of torture
as well as a small library for informa-
tion services.
Prevention
Prevention activities are directed
towards monitoring law enforce-
ment structures, public awareness,
seminars for NGOs and mass me-
dia, media campaigns and publica-
tions.
39
Information and advocacy Contact
OASIS is involved in activities such Avenue Kibombo N° 80
Ibanda
as media campaigns, government Bukavu
lobbying and fundraising and par- Congo DR
ticipates in international forums.
c/o P.O. Box 225
We also participate in 26 June cam- Cyangugu
paigns and campaigns on related Rwanda
issues. Phone: +243 994 236 634; +243
853 729 862
Networking wimalafr@yahoo.fr
OASIS is a member of Projet Co- Established
lombe and a new project carried by 2004
ICCO-NOVIB-CORDAID for the follow
Director(s)
up and monitoring of sexual vio- John Malanda Wilondja, Executive
lence in the east DRC. We collabo- Director; Dr Achacha Essisombe,
rate with medical and human rights Medical Doctor; Mrs Kwanyema
Reine, Administration and Finance
associations, hospitals and other Director
NGOs at the national level.
Contact person(s)
John Malanda Wilodnja, Executive
Funding Director; Mrs Maguy Mwasite
OASIS has received grants from OAK Muhanzu, President
Foundation, IRCT, RIDPA, WTFI and
Staff
Tides Foundation. 2 medical doctors
2 psychologists
2 social workers
Future plans 2 nurses
Collaborate and network with other 2 lawyers
centres/organisations; build staff 2 administration and finance
2 communications
capacity; extend physiotherapy,
psychiatric and financial assistance Working language(s)
to victims and their families; pro- Swahili, French
duce publications on mental health, Number of clients treated per year
psychosocial work, human rights, 180 primary torture victims
peace and democracy and counsel- 103 secondary torture victims
79 other clients
ling in the Great Lakes region.
Congo (Democratic Republic of the)
The Psycho-Medical Center for the Rehabilitation of
Torture Victims (CPMRVT/SOPROP)
CPMRVT nurses attend to victims of torture
Primary objective(s)
• Provision of physical, mental,
legal and social treatment to
victims of torture (primary and
secondary)
• Advocacy against torture
• Contribution to the social re-
integration of torture survivors
by apprenticeship of trades, mi-
cro credit
• Training of police guards and
other authorities in charge of
prisons and detention centres
• Education of the community
about torture and its conse-
quences.
Treatment
CPMRVT/SOPROP provides medi-
cal, social, psychological counsel-
ling and legal assistance to victims
of torture their relatives. The main
target groups are victims of police
barbarities, internally displaced
persons, prisoners and rape vic-
tims. Clients include more men and
women of Hunde, Hutu, Nyanga
tribes and others. SOPROP oper-
ates four centres.
Training
Training is organised weekly as
an exchange of experiences, with
seminars organised on specific
themes. CPMRVT/SOPROP trains
external partners and community
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: mediations, job
Psychiatric training, workshops
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training of local leaders
leaders as well as church leaders,
school directors, local authorities,
students and the army.
Research
CPMRVT/SOPROP has implement-
ed various research projects on hu-
man rights, torture rehabilitation
and prevention and rape of women
and men in the region.
Legal
The CPMRVT/SOPROP sensitizes
victims in the community to seek
justice against the torturers and
assists them through orientations,
funding and other legal activities.
Documentation
SOPROP maintains a databank with
medical and legal documents, and
a library which, however, lacks
medical and legal publications. Our
centre compiles its own medical and
legal documentation quarterly.
Prevention
SOPROP prevents torture through
education in schools, for prison
and police personnel, local au-
thorities and publishes reports
and contacts authorities regularly
about specific cases of torture.
Information and advocacy
SOPROP/CPMRVT produces publi-
40
cations and participates in televi- Contact
sion/radio shows for 26 June and Avenue Uvira N° 37
Route Présidentielle Commune
10 December. SOPROP publishes de Goma
reports to facilitate various part- P.O. Box 354
ners in their lobbying and to help Goma
Congo DR
victims to approach the media. ____
Networking P.O. Box 470
Ginsenyi
SOPROP/CPMRVT cooperates with Rwanda
other civil society organisations
Phone: +243 9 97 70 34 96; +243
and is a member of various net-
8 99 78 09 73; +32 48 49 400 50
works: CADHO, SYDHO, GADHOP, arno_sopropgo@yahoo.com;
CPVS, YEN/DR CONGO, REPROD- kambsoprop@yahoo.fr
www.soprop-dho.org
HOC, COJESKI, OMCT, Forefront.
Established
Funding 1998
SOPROP has received funding from Director(s)
UNVFVT, IRCT, OAK Foundation, Didier Kamundu Batundi, Presi-
Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de dent; Arnold Djuma, Regional
Coordinator; Josephine Salima,
l’homme, MSF/Hollande and indi- Administrator; Espoir Lukoo,
rectly from the EC. Supervisor
Contact person(s)
Future plans Didier Kamundu; Arnold Djuma
Improve the quality of treatment
through training and equipment; Staff
1 doctor (part-time)
reinforce the social reintegration 2 lawyers (part-time)
of victims by teaching trades, micro 12 nurses (part-time)
4 development promoters
credit and other commercial skills;
2 psychologists (part-time)
organise beneficiaries into com-
munity-based groups to fight tor- Working language(s)
Swahili, French and English
ture, help victims and contribute to
local development; conduct a large Number of clients treated per year
campaign against torture and hu- 982 primary torture victims
37 secondary torture victims
man rights violations; install a na- 0 other clients
tional network of centres and NGOs
working on torture.
Congo (Democratic Republic of the)
SAVE CONGO
Irène Kaji Diur with a torture victim at SAVE CONGO
Primary objective(s)
• Rehabilitate torture victims in-
cluding medical treatment, psy-
chological assistance and social
care
• Prevent torture and implement
relevant international guide-
lines
• Provide training skills for health
professionals and human rights
activists
• Generate information about the
state of torture through research
and monitoring
• Increase awareness of torture
issues.
Treatment
SAVE CONGO provides psychologi-
cal assistance; medical services,
including general examinations,
diagnoses of physical and psycho-
logical symptoms; psychotherapy;
physiotherapy; social welfare and
legal assistance. SAVE CONGO
treats about 800 clients a year. The
first interview is carried out by the
social workers and the applicants
are directed to the physicians or
psychologists. SAVE CONGO fo-
cuses on the following groups: (1)
individuals who recently suffered
torture; (2) traumatized refugees
and internally displaced persons;
(3) family members of torture sur-
vivors.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
SAVE CONGO Staff members
Training dress approaches to the treatment Contact
SAVE CONGO conducts specialised and social reintegration. The cen- 07, avenue figuier
Bel’air – Kampemba
training for health professionals, tre is active in local fundraising for Lubumbashi, Katanga
lawyers, social service providers, torture rehabilitation that includes Congo DR
medical students, educators, com- media advocacy.
Phone: +243 998 352 973
munity organisations and govern- savecongo@hotmail.com; sav-
ment that mobilise professionals Networking ergl@yahoo.fr
www.savecongo.populus.org
and institutional contributions. SAVE CONGO is a member of the
Congolese Civil Society and Na- Established
Research tional Network Against Torture 2000
SAVE CONGO collects data on and has links with local health and Director(s)
trauma symptom inventories and law professional associations; it Guy Kitwe Mulunda
examines the correlation between also is a member of the Interna-
Contact person
torture survivors’ needs, quality of tional Federation of Health and Hu- Irène Kaji Diur
life and mental health. SAVE CON- man Rights Organizations, World
GO is conducting a project on medi- Network Against Impunity, World Staff
3 administrative
cal-legal documentation of torture Organization Against Torture and 5 social workers
and sexual violence in the DRC. African Anti-Torture Coalition. 2 medical doctors
3 psychologists
1 psychiatrist
Documentation Funding 1 counsellor
SAVE CONGO has a library of pub- SAVE CONGO receives funding from 2 nurses
1 awyer
lications and audiovisual material the EU, Third Millennium Founda-
on torture and human rights. The tion, OAK/Rausing Centre Grants Working language(s)
centre documents and stores client and local churches. French, Swahili
intakes and other demographic/ Number of clients treated per year
background information. Future plans 682 primary torture victims
Increase staff numbers, including 118 secondary torture victims
800 other clients
Prevention physiotherapists; develop mobile
Activities include providing advice medical treatment units; establish
to medical and mental health in- an institute for scientific research
stitutions, schools, social workers and reporting.
and lawyers.
Information and advocacy
Centre staff support torture vic-
tims seeking asylum. Books and
articles written by SAVE CONGO ad-
41
Croatia
International Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims
(IRCT Zagreb)
26 June commemoration
Primary objective(s)
• Early identification of victims of
torture
• Treatment
• Education and training
• Research
• Prevention of torture.
Treatment
Organised psycho-social and
medical support has been given
to victims of torture, refugees and
displaced persons since 1993. The
existence of the centre has helped
torture victims avoid stigmatization
as psychiatric patients and aided
their integration into society. Two
hundred clients per year receive
treatment and services including:
psychological (crisis intervention,
counselling, individual, family
and group psychotherapy); medi-
cal (medical counselling, contact
with medical institutions, physi-
otherapy); social (social security,
accommodation, employment,
contact with authorities); legal
help and advocacy; and other ac-
tivities (identification, home visits,
counselling, follow-up).
Training
IRCT Zagreb offers lessons for pro-
fessionals and the general public
in war affected regions in Croatia.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Rebuilding life in a post-war community
Two educational seminars about
torture, rehabilitation and pre-
vention are conducted every year.
Special seminars have included:
“Post-war community and healthy
development of children”, “Volun-
teers and psychological support to
witnesses/victims of war”, “Stress,
crises and trauma - assistance to
asylum seekers”.
Research
IRCT Zagreb has conducted re-
search on the mental health of
children in war affected areas.
Legal
Support is given to refugees in get-
ting legal status in Croatia.
Documentation
All cases have been documented
and protected.
Prevention
Preventive activities include com-
memoration of 26 June, press
releases, radio broadcasts and
public events, public lessons, and
dissemination of written materi-
als.
Information and advocacy
The centre continuously advocates
for torture victims’ rights.
42
Networking Contact
IRCT Zagreb is a member of the Draškovićeva 76/II
10000 Zagreb
Balkan Network, Medical Network Croatia
for Social Reconstruction of Former
Yugoslavia, and different profes- Phone: +385 1 49 23 025
Fax: +385 1 49 23 025
sional associations in Croatia and irct-zg@zg.t-com.hr
abroad. www.irctzg.org
Established
Funding 1993
Funding comes from RCT/IRCT Co-
Director(s)
penhagen, the OAK Foundation, Zdenka Pantić, Executive Director,
UNVFVT, Ministry of Health and So- Psychologist, Psychotherapist;
cial Care of the Republic of Croatia, Valentina Zeljak Božović, Adminis-
trative Director, Economist
Ministry of Family, War Veterans
and Intergenerational Solidarity, Contact person(s)
Royal Netherlands Embassy in Za- Valentina Zeljak Božović
greb, City of Zagreb - Department of Staff
Social Welfare, Red Cross Croatia. 2 psychiatrists/psychotherapists
1 psychologist/psychotherapist
2 psychologists
1 psychologist/researcher
1 pedagogue - educator
1 social worker
1 supervisor
1 medical doctor
1 nurse
1 administrative director
1 secretary
2 volunteers
Working language(s)
Croatian
Number of clients treated per year
118 primary torture victims
68 secondary torture victims
14 other clients
Denmark
OASIS - Treatment and Counselling for Refugees
Primary objective(s)
• Offer treatment and counselling
for traumatised refugees
• Offer training, supervision and
consultancy assistance
• Evaluate rehabilitation services
and contribute to research
• Promote knowledge and expe-
rience within relevant subject
fields by contributing to public
debate
• Run a library on OASIS relevant
activities.
Treatment
Individual, group, family and multi-
family therapy is provided within
an interdisciplinary framework.
The rehabilitation process is in
most cases long-term. In 2007, 195
patients were referered to OASIS.
Our current capacity is 120 patients
and the average rehabilitation time
is approx. 15 months.
Training
OASIS offers training to health and
social professionals in Denmark.
Training manuals are produced,
including information materials on
the impact of torture, war trauma,
civil war, persecution, etc.
Documentation
In collaboration with other Danish
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Psychomotoric treatment
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Contact
rehabilitation centres for trauma- of Torture and Human Rights Viola- Nygade 4, 2nd fl.
1164 Copenhagen K
tised refugees, OASIS is working tions and the IRCT. Denmark
on implementing WHO’s Interna-
tional Classification on Function- Funding Phone: +45 35 26 57 26
Fax: +45 35 26 55 33
ing Disability and Health (ICF). ICF OASIS is mainly funded in accord- info@oasis-rehab.dk
is focusing on monitoring the level ance to a working agreement with www.oasis-rehab.dk
of functioning rather than symp- the regions of Denmark. Special
Established
toms. OASIS projects are financed by pri- 1987
vate funds.
Prevention Director(s)
Ulrik Jørgensen
In the rehabilitation process OASIS Future plans
is working on preventing deteriora- From 1 January 2009 OASIS will Contact person(s)
Ulrik Jørgensen, Director; Erling
tion of the health conditions of the expand its activities with an addi-
Groth, Clinical Manager; Bettina
traumatised refugees by seeking tional rehabilitation team. We plan Jensen, Secretary
to improve the social conditions of to employ five new staff members.
Staff
the patients. Working with families Method development, clinical re-
1 director/psychologist
is an important way of preventing search and involvement in inter- 1 clinical manager/psychologist
trans-generational damages. national projects are some of our 1 accountant
4 secretaries
most important priorities for the 6 psychologists
Information and advocacy future. 1 physiotherapist
Advocacy occurs at an individual 2 psychomotor therapists
3 social workers
level by defending patients’ civil 1 physician
and social rights, improvement of 1 psychiatrist
the rehabilitation conditions for 1 librarian
1 coordinating interpreter
traumatised refugees, and by tak- 2 service employees
ing part in the public debate con- 22 freelance interpreters
cerning traumatised refugees. 1 IT consultant
Working language(s)
Networking Danish
OASIS takes part in the Danish
Number of clients treated per year
network of centres working with 45 primary torture victims
traumatised refugees in Denmark. 15 secondary torture victims
30 other clients
OASIS also takes part in the Euro-
pean Network for Treatment and
Rehabilitation Centres for Victims
43
Denmark
Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT)
The context of torture
Primary objective(s)
• To be a global knowledge centre
on torture and its consequences
through research and documen-
tation
• To assess and develop rehabili-
tation methods for torture vic-
tims and to make these globally
accessible
• To use experience in epidemiol-
ogy, documentation, law, train-
ing and information to abolish
torture
• To administer projects at cen-
tres and programmes involved
in rehabilitation and torture
prevention
• To rehabilitate torture survivors
and their families using inter-
disciplinary teams and best
practice.
Treatment
The target group for rehabilita-
tion comprises refugees who have
been exposed to torture or organ-
ised violence (TOV). The number of
patients referred to rehabilitation
during 2007 was 185. Almost all
survivors treated at the RCT have
experienced very severe and pro-
longed torture, physical as well as
psychological. RCT offers team-
oriented interdisciplinary reha-
bilitation programmes for torture
survivors in Danish exile on an
individual, family or group basis,
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling
Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: research; training of
Psychiatric professionals in police, military
and health sectors
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
RCT advocacy in practice
combined with a “Pain School”
programme. Treatment methods
include cognitive psychotherapy,
physiotherapy, social counselling
and medical treatment.
Training
Training is provided for profession-
als and students from health, so-
cial, judicial and armed services.
A Field Manual on Rehabilitation
for lay persons has recently been
developed.
Research
Four major areas: improving meth-
ods for rehabilitating torture sur-
vivors; improving approaches to
prevention; improving community
interventions on TOV in developing
countries; and supporting integra-
tion of torture survivors into Dan-
ish society.
Documentation
Worldwide library services are
available through the RCT docu-
mentation centre, including elec-
tronic access to literature and in-
formation.
Prevention
Activities include capacity build-
ing and advocacy work, including
implementation of UNCAT and the
National Preventive Mechanism
under OPCAT. In relation to civil
44
society in the South the strategies Contact
aim at strengthening the capacity Borgergade 13
PO Box 2107
to engage in critical dialogue with 1014 Copenhagen K
relevant authorities and to take Denmark
part in policy formulation.
Phone: +45 33 76 06 00
Fax: +45 33 76 05 10
International Development Pro- rct@rct.dk
www.rct.dk
gramme
RCT co-operates with partner or- Established
ganisations in the South on rehabil- 1982
itation, prevention and on capacity
Director(s)
development, impact studies and Bengt Sjölund, Professor, Director
surveys and with other organisa- General
tions on humanitarian assistance, Contact person(s)
development aid and studies. Bengt Sjölund, Professor, Director
General; Jan Ole Haagensen,
Director International Department
Information and advocacy
Annual reports, newsletters, cam- Staff
paigns and publications on torture 1 director general
4 directors
are published at a national and 1 executive secretary
international level. RCT comments 4 senior researchers
regularly on torture-related issues 3 postdoctoral researchers
7 PhD students
in the public domain. 2 research assistants
2 health programme managers
2 prevention programme
Networking
managers
RCT collaborates with an inter-insti- 1 prevention coordinator
tutional Danish network and with 4 regional programme managers
3 programme assistants
partners in nine developing coun-
2 physicians
tries, with APT, Geneva and CVT, 3 physiotherapists
USA. RCT is a member of WHO’s 4 psychologists
1 psychotherapist
Violence Prevention Alliance. 1 family therapist
3 social counsellors
Funding 4 secretaries
16 interpreters (2 full-time,
Funding comes from the Danish Min- 14 freelance)
istries of Foreign Affairs and Public 3 librarians
Health Affairs, the Danish Research 11 administrative staff
2 communication co-ordinators
Councils and private foundations. 1 advocacy co-ordinator
Working language(s)
Danish/English
Number of clients treated per year
92 primary torture victims
98 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Denmark

Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims – Jutland (RCT-Jutland)

Primary objective(s) Documentation Contact

• Providing multidisciplinary, com-
prehensive examination, treat-
ment and rehabilitation for torture
victims, traumatized refugees and
their relatives
• Educational activities
• Information and advocacy
• Monitoring and research.
Treatment
Multidisciplinary, comprehensive
therapy and rehabilitation is of-
Storegade 82
The many years’ experience gained
6100 Haderslev
by RCT-Jutland staff has been de- Denmark
scribed in articles and videos. Case
Phone: +45 74 53 25 35
stories are also available. Mobile: +45 51 50 03 37
Fax: +45 74 53 26 24
Information and advocacy rctj@post12.tele.dk;
nkrustrup@rct-jylland.dk
RCT-Jutland conducts information www.rct-jylland.dk
and advocacy activities.
Established
1985
Networking
The centre collaborates with the Director(s)
IRCT on a global, European and na- Niels Krustrup

fered on an out-patient basis. The tional level. Contact person(s)

treatment programme consists of Niels Krustrup
psychotherapy, physiotherapy and Future plans
Staff
social counselling, often supple- The centre is planning to establish a 4 psychologists
mented with medical and psychiat- new department of the centre in the 3 physiotherapists
3 social workers
ric consultations. Therapeutic and very southern part of Denmark.
2 psychiatrists
psycho-educational activities are 1 orthopaedist
offered to individuals and groups. interpreters and administrative
staff

Training Working language(s)

Training and education on torture, Danish, with use of interpreters of
various languages
traumatised refugees, identifica-
tion of this group, and other treat- Number of clients treated per year
ment topics are offered mainly to 80 primary torture victims
20 secondary torture victims
health professionals. 0 other clients

Research
The centre participates in research
and monitoring activities in col-
laboration with other centres.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

45
East Timor
International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC)
Primary objective(s)
• To strengthen the capacities of
local partners in the delivery of
appropriate interventions
• To provide program partners
with training and technical as-
sistance in service program-
ming for SOT
• To facilitate direct services and
advocacy work of partners for
SOT through the provision of
small grant
• To promote collaborative ac-
tivities/projects between NGO
and government partners
• To strengthen the networks of
NGO service providers, through
training, technical and projects
grant assistance.
Treatment
The center offers treatment through
counselling.
Training
Training programs for ICMC local
partners include: torture aware-
ness, psychosocial counseling for
torture survivors, client improve-
ment monitoring, stress manage-
ment, training of trainers, writing
project proposal and community
resource identification & mobiliza-
tion.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
The centre conducts client improve-
ment monitoring and analysis.
Documentation
Client improvement analysis with
SPSS.
Prevention
Prison visit as part of the June 26
Commemorative Activities organ-
ized by Committee of local NGOs
and key government offices.
Information and advocacy
Campaign materials i.e. posters,
stickers, booklets as part of the
June 26 Commemorative Activi-
ties.
Networking
Boston University School of Pub-
lic Health - Dept. of International
Health for technical assistance
on Program Design, Monitoring &
Evaluation.
Funding
Victims of Torture Fund (VTF) – US-
AID.
Future plans
To enable torture survivors to re-
gain their health both physically
and psychologically by improving
46
the institutional and technical ca- Contact
pacity of grassroots NGOs to reha- Orchard Offices No. 2E
Rua Belarmino Lobo, Dili
bilitate torture survivors and sen- Timor Leste
sitizing government health care
providers on the special needs of PO Box 68, Dili
Timor Leste
torture survivors in Indonesia, Ne-
pal, and Timor Leste. Phone: +670 332 2098
Fax: + 670 331 2962
Mobile: +670 724 5967
sotet@icmc.net; suplido@icmc.
net
www.icmc.net
Established
2002
Director(s)
Charles Davy, ICMC Regional Di-
rector for Indonesia & Timor Leste
Contact person(s)
Maria Lourdes Suplido, ICMC SOT
Timor Leste Program Manager
Staff
2 social workers
1 psychologist
1 administration workers
1 driver
Working language(s)
English
Number of clients treated per year
514 primary, secondary and
other clients
East Timor
Timor Aid – Tulun Rai
Practising Capacitar movements
Primary objective(s)
• Increase mental health among
the entire population of East
Timor
• Improve an emotional healing
of past traumatic events from
the Indonesian occupation
• Improve the learning of prac-
tices to come to peace with
the rapid pace of change in the
country.
Treatment
Due to the shortage of counselling
services in the country, Timor Aid
chose the modern Capacitar meth-
odology that does not require par-
ticipants to undergo years of aca-
demic study, but rather one that
is a popular education method.
Capacitar practices can be shared
and spread easily, thereby in-
creasing sustainability, and has
already been used successfully in
at least 19 countries. The Capacitar
methodology uses innovative and
creative practices of healing, team-
building and self-development to
heal and transform participants,
their families and communities.
Training
Grassroots training allows trauma
victims to talk about what has hap-
pened and make the connection
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Practising Capacitar movements
between past trauma and current
symptoms in order to increase their
sense of control that they need to
manage their current lives. Train-
ers are trained to transfer their
knowledge to the local communi-
ties in a powerful multiplier effect
to increase the overall quality of
life.
Information and advocacy
We develop and provide our own
training materials. The materials
are distributed to all trainees for
use in their own trauma healing ac-
tivities. To further promote healthy
trauma practices to the greater
population, the book “Bere Bara-
ni” (“Brave Bart”) was produced.
The story teaches recognition of
trauma symptoms, and ways to
build and enhance mental health.
The book is donated to libraries,
schools and social organisations.
Networking
We are a member of the “Servisu
Hamutuk” network that consists
of governmental and non-govern-
mental organisations which are
working together to aid the broad
mental health needs of Timorese
people.
47
Referrals Contact
We use a system of referrals to ad- P.O. Box 145
Avenida dos Direitos Humanos
dress the health needs of patients Lecidere
which can not be met by Timor Aid Dili
itself. It has been developed for re- East Timor
ferrals between Servisu Hamutuk Phone: +670 331 2260
members and aims to improve the Fax: +670 331 2435
erburyrosario@yahoo.com
process of working together to as-
www.timoraid.org
sist families in need.
Established
1998
Emergency activities
Timor Aid is playing a key role in Director(s)
assisting the coordination of a Maria do Céu Federer, CEO; Mr
Albino Amaral, Deputy CEO
trauma response team to address
the needs of many refugees in the Contact person(s)
country. We are visiting the refugee Rosalia Soares, Programs Coor-
dinator; Dillyana Ximenes-Daten,
camps on a daily basis, teaching Trauma Project Manager
trauma alleviating methods.
Staff
1 psychologist
Funding 2 social workers
Funding for the Trauma Healing 73 general staff
Programs is received through
HORIZONT3000 from the European Working language
Commission, ADA and DKA in Aus- Tetum, Bahasa Indonesia, English
tria.
Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
Ecuador
Foundation for Integral Rehabilitation of Violence Victims
(PRIVA)
Some views of PRIVA’s latest training events
Primary objective(s)
• Integral rehabilitation of tor-
ture victims
• Training penal justice, peniten-
tiary system, health and legal
professionals on torture pre-
vention
• Documentation
• Investigation of incidence,
prevalence and geographical
distribution of torture
• Implementation of the Istanbul
Protocol and Optional Protocol
to the UN Convention against
Torture.
Treatment
The Foundation PRIVA offers integral
rehabilitation treatment for torture
victims, especially those in conflict
with the law, and their families.
Training
In 2008, 1,200 students (medicine,
law, psychology) of the Central
University of Ecuador attended
seminars on the Istanbul Protocol.
Fifty-six health and law profession-
als attended a 5 month training for
national experts on the Istanbul
Protocol; 400 legal and health pro-
fessionals of NGOs, government
institutions and human rights or-
ganisations attended seminars on
OPCAT.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research with popular organisations, pro- Contact
In the past years, PRIVA completed human rights governmental in- Avenida 10 de Agosto N21 181 y
Jerónimo Carrión
a study called “Map of Torture in Ec- stitutions and non-governmental Edif. Casa Baca - Dpt. 102
uador” and has worked on a study organisations, and in a critical dia- P.O. Box 17 11 6436
of institutionalised violence. logue with institutions represent- Quito
Ecuador
ing the sources of torture.
Legal Phone: +593 2 25 25 146
Fax: +593 2 25 25 146
PRIVA has developed seminars and Funding
priva@puntonet.ec
training activities with the penal In 2008, PRIVA has been funded
justice system and penitentiary by the IRCT/EC, RCT-Denmark, OAK Established
1996
system, but does not offer legal Foundation/Sigrid Rausing Trust
support to victims of torture. and United Nations Voluntary Fund Director(s)
for Victims of Torture. Yadira Narváez, MD
Documentation Contact person(s)
PRIVA documents every case of tor- Future plans Margarita González
ture among victims that attend its PRIVA will continue providing care
Staff
rehabilitation programme. to torture victims and working in 2 medical doctors
prevention. 3 psychologists
Prevention 1 social worker
1 accountant
Since 1997, PRIVA has developed 1 administrator
prevention activities through 1 general service worker
training programmes directed at
Working language(s)
the penal justice system (judges, Spanish
prosecutors, defenders, police),
Number of clients treated per year
penitentiary system (directors,
60 primary torture victims
health professionals, prison 10 secondary torture victims
guards), prisoners, and health and 70 other clients
legal professionals coming from
human rights groups (medical doc-
tors, psychiatrists, psychologists,
social workers, lawyers) and uni-
versity students.
Networking
PRIVA works in close cooperation
48
Egypt
El Nadim Center for the Management and Rehabilitation
of Victims of Violence
26 June event
Primary objective(s)
• Provision of free short- and long-
term medical and psychological
treatment and rehabilitation for
men, women and children who
have been subject to any form
of violence or torture
• Provision of free legal aid and
counselling to survivors of tor-
ture and their family members
• Documentation and updating of
torture related data in Egypt
• Organising national, regional
and international campaigns
concerning torture cases and
practice in Egypt
• Lobbying for the amendment of
Egyptian legislation regarding
torture to be consistent with in-
ternational law.
Treatment
Rehabilitation includes psycholog-
ical assessment of survivors and
their families, provision of psycho-
therapy and psychiatric assistance
as well as legal counselling and
aid and campaigning on behalf of
survivors when needed. Survivors
who need other medical interven-
tions are referred to a network of
specialists who provide them with
the needed investigations, treat-
ments and sometimes hospital ad-
missions. The centre also provides
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: campaigning on behalf of
Psychiatric survivors
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
advice on social support and/or Information and advocacy Contact
helps survivors to access employ- Website, the internet, publications Contact
3 A Soliman El Halabi Street from
ment. It works both in-house and are used to share information and Rasmis Street
through an outreach programme to advocate on behalf of survivors. Cairo
other governorates in Egypt. Egypt
Networking Phone: +202 25 78 70 89; +202 25
Training Locally the centre works with Egyp- 76 44 09
Mobile: +2 016 400 4013
Training is provided on listening tians against Torture. Regionally
Fax: +202 25 77 67 92
and counselling skills to survivors we have close collaboration with nadeem@link.net
of trauma, development of psycho- the AMAN network, and interna- www.elnadeem.org
therapeutic skills and prevention tionally with IRCT, Amnesty, HRW Established
through documentation (using the and FIDH. 1993
Istanbul Protocol).
Director(s)
Funding Dr. Magda Adly, Overall Director;
Research Current funding comes from the EU Dr. Mona Hamed, Director of Clinic
An annual report is produced de- and OAK Foundation.
Contact person(s)
scribing centre activities and pat- Dr. Aida Seif El Dawla
terns of torture, and the impact of
therapy on quality of life of survi- Staff
6 psychiatrists
vors. 2 physicians
3 lawyers
Legal 2 administration support
The centre offers legal counselling Working language(s)
and aid to survivors. Arabic, English
Number of clients treated per year
Documentation 100 primary torture victims
A database is currently being up- 50 secondary torture victims
10 other clients
graded; documentation is also pro-
vided in the annual report.
Prevention
Prevention activities include ad-
vocacy for mainstreaming the Is-
tanbul Protocol and campaigning
through media and other NGOs.
49
Ethiopia
Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture in Ethiopia (RCVTE)
Staff of the RCVTE
Primary objective(s)
• Provide medical and psycho-
social treatment to victims of
torture
• Create awareness about tor-
ture and advocate against it to
the general public
• Provide vocational and tech-
nical training for victims and
professional training for cen-
tre staff.
Treatment
RCVTE provides medical and psy-
chosocial counselling to victims of
torture.
Training
The centre has organised and
conducted various training ses-
sions for judiciary and legislative
bodies, police and prison officers,
legal professionals, law students
and teachers. It also provides
vocational training for victims of
torture.
Research
In 1997, RCVTE conducted research
dealing with the setting up the cen-
tre and establishing the causes
and consequences of torture. In
2002, a needs assessment study
was conducted to identify the
needs of victims of torture.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy
Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: vocational training
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Documentation Funding Contact
The documentation process in- RCVTE receives funding from the Bole Road
PO Box 12618
cludes: the victims’ biography, EU, CVT, IRCT and BftW. Addis Ababa
including details of abuse and the Ethiopia
kinds of assistance required, and Future plans -----
Yeka Subcity
a medical report consisting of the The centre’s future plans include Kebele 13/14
type of trauma and the assistance expanding its clinic, providing vo- House No. 610
Haile Gebreselassie Road (Meg-
offered. cational training to our clients and
enagna)
emphasising our torture preven- Near Lem Hotel and next to
Information and advocacy tion activities from the grassroots Andenet Hotel
Addis Ababa
The Executive Board Chairman level. Ethiopia
and the Executive Director have
given interviews to private and Phone: +251 11 663 1783
Mobile +251 911 223 776
governmental media regarding Fax: +251 11 663 1784
the centre’s aims and objectives. rcvte@ethionet.et; ytila-
The centre has produced and dis- hun2000@yahoo.com
seminated information, education Established
and communication materials on 1993
torture-related issues.
Director(s)
Tadele Bitule Kibrat, Executive
Networking Board Chairman and Dr. Yared
RCVTE is a member of the Eastern Tilahun, Executive Director
Africa and Great Lakes Network Contact person(s)
and Sub-Saharan African Network Dr. Yared Tilahun, Executive and
Medical Director
for Torture Victims (SSANTOV).
The centre is also a member of the Staff
Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) 1 executive director
1 administration and finance
USA. Locally, the centre is an as- head
sociate member of the Christian Re- 2 psychiatric nurses
lief and Development Organization 3 project officers
1 public relations officer
(CRDA), which embraces more than 1 administrative assistant and
280 local and international member executive secretary
NGOs. RCVTE also has links with lo- 1 cashier
1 accountant
cal human rights organisations and 2 guards
concerned governmental bodies. 1 janitor
Working language(s)
English, Amharic
Number of clients treated per year
600 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
50
Finland

Centre for Torture Survivors in Finland (CTSF)

Primary objective(s)
• Offer nationwide psychothera-
peutic services to victims of
torture and their families
• Increase knowledge and skills
related to rehabilitation
• Ensure that the knowledge and
skills developed are adopted
into general health care
• Act in close collaboration with
similar centres worldwide.
Treatment
The CTSF was the first transcultur-
al psychiatric polyclinic in Finland.
Almost all patients are refugees
and asylum seekers. The centre
provides individual, multidisci-
plinary, comprehensive therapy
to victims of torture on an out-pa-
tient basis. Treatment methods
include psychiatric assessment,
psychological assessment and
testing, medical and neurological
evaluation, special consultation
and referrals to hospitals, psy-
chotherapy, physiotherapy, and
art therapy.
Training
CTSF, together with the Refugee
Advice Centre, provides train-
ing activities for professionals
working with refugees, medical
students and doctors. Regular
training sessions are organised
for employees at the Directorate
of Immigration.
Research
Our previous music therapist is
currently finishing his scientific
research on the effects of musical
therapy on torture survivors.
Documentation
Both paper and electronic pa-
tient files are kept. Diagnostics
are based on ICD-10, and assess-
ments are made following every
visit. With asylum seekers, the
normal procedure is to make a
comprehensive medical state-
ment, which acts as a “forensic
statement”.
Prevention
Early treatment and psychosocial
assessment of asylum seekers
has proven to be a very effective
means of prevention. CTSF par-
ticipates in the 26 June campaign
every year.
Information and advocacy
CTSF has a very close relation-
ship with the media. CTSF has
been featured in several articles,
interviews and TV and radio pro-
grammes. Journalists have also
received training courses regard- Contact
ing torture and transcultural is- Mäkelänkatu 58-60 (4th floor)
00510 Helsinki
sues. Finland
Networking Phone: +358 9 7750 4584
Mobile: +358 50 351 3367
CTSF has been a member of the Fax: +358 9 7750 4502
IRCT network since 1993. CTSF kitu@hdl.fi; kitu@helsingindia-
konissallaitos.fi
also has close contacts with the
www.hdl.fi
Human Rights Foundation. Other
close partners include the Europe- Established
1993
an Network of Centres for Torture
Survivors. In Finland, CTSF has Director(s)
contacts with all the main Medical Pekka Tuomola, Director
Faculties, the Finnish Medical As- Contact person(s)
sociation and the Finnish Psychi- Tuula Quarshie; Asko Rauta
atric Association.
Staff
2 psychiatrists
Funding 1 neurologist
CTSF receives funding from the 2 psychologists
1 psychiatric nurse
Finnish Slot Machine Association. 1 physiotherapist
The Slot Machine Association has 1 art therapist
a monopoly on gambling and the 1 administrator
1 civil service
profits are shared with non-profit 50+ interpreters from different
organisations like CTSF. nations
Working language(s)
Future plans Finnish, Swedish, English
The centre intends to increase its
Number of clients treated per year
efforts in education, research and 140 primary torture victims
prevention. The national adoption 15 secondary torture victims
of the Istanbul Protocol will be a 0 other clients
main issue in future seminars and
training sessions.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: neurological examinations,
Psychiatric art therapy (individual/groups), and
free internet access
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

51
France
Parcours d’Exil
Primary objective(s)
• Care and rehabilitate, free of
charge, any victim of human
rights violations, in particular
victims of torture and isolated
foreign minors
• Train professionals working
with refugees and asylum seek-
ers to recognise the symptoms
of trauma and to give them tools
to improve the treatment of vic-
tims
• Inform the public and institu-
tions about the reality of victims
of torture’s life before and after
coming to France and about
their need for care and rehabili-
tation.
Treatment
The centre offers both individual
and family therapy. Individual
therapy sessions may comprise
medical, psychological or physi-
ological interventions. Each pa-
tient is seen primarily by a physi-
cian, and depending on need, is
oriented toward other therapists.
In addition to treatment, language
courses and cultural initiation are
also provided, according to the
individual needs of the patient.
Since 2007, individual and group
sessions of art therapy are avail-
able every week. In total, 897 pa-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
tients received treatment during
2007. Among them, 467 were new
patients.
Training
Parcours d’Exil organises training
sessions either on the demand of
organisations or in its premises.
Training sessions can concern
treatment of victims of torture,
isolated foreign minors, PTSD, etc.
These sessions are proposed to
professionals (e.g. doctors, psy-
chologists, social workers, educa-
tors, etc.) who work with refugees
and asylum seekers in order to
help them understand the charac-
teristics of persons suffering post
traumatic stress syndrome and
thus provide them with tools to im-
prove their daily and professional
practice.
Research
In 2008-2009, Parcours d’Exil is
organising joint research with so-
cial workers in order to determine
a protocol on the early recognition
of victims of torture.
Information and advocacy
Parcours d’Exil regularly appeals
to French, European and interna-
tional institutions in order to advo-
cate for the interests of victims of
52
torture and efficient rehabilitation Contact
possibilities. Targeted campaigns Parcours d’Exil
26 rue de Cronstadt
and actions (conferences, photo 75015 Paris
exhibition, concerts) are organ- France
ised each year in order to attract
Phone: +33 1 45 33 31 74
public attention. The publication Fax: +33 1 45 33 53 61
of a book by our Director, Dr Pierre contact@parcours.asso.fr
www.parcours-exil.org
Duterte, “Terres inhumaines” Edi-
tions Lattès, in November 2007 Established
helped attract media attention on 2001
our work, and as such, to our pa- Director(s)
tients’ fate. Pierre Duterte
Contact person(s)
Networking Hélène de Rengerve, Administra-
Parcours d’Exil is a member of the tive and Financial Director
CCVT-EL and in France, “La Voix Tel: +33 (0)1 45 33 33 74
Mobile: +33 (0)6 13 41 13 81/+32
de l’Enfant”, a federation of NGOs 473 31 52 76
concerned with children’s rights.
On the local level, Parcours d’Exil Staff
2 physicians
works with NGOs completing our 4 psychotherapists
competencies in order to provide 2 family therapist
our patients with full and special- 1 physiotherapist
1 art therapist
ised assistance: social, legal and/ 1 administrative & financial
or medical specialised care. director
1 secretary
1 communication officer
Funding 2 heads of project
Funding comes from the EU (EI-
Working language(s)
DHR), UNVFVT, French Office of the French, English, Spanish, Portu-
Prime Minister, private founda- guese, German
tions, French social security and
Number of clients treated per year
private donors. 404 primary torture victims
491 secondary torture victims
2 other clients
Georgia
EMPATHY, The International Psycho-Rehabilitation Centre for
Victims of Torture, Violence and Pronounced Stress Impact
(RCT, EMPATHY/Georgia)
The EMPATHY staff
Primary objective(s)
• Medical and psychosocial treat-
ment and rehabilitation for tor-
ture and mass violence victims
and their family
• Prevention of torture and im-
plementation of international
guidelines on prevention of
torture
• Development of the traumatic
stress management and treat-
ment, rehabilitation system in
Georgia
• Forensic psychiatry and pris-
ons’ psychiatry and health sys-
tem reform on the country level
• Training, educational and re-
search activities.
Treatment
Diagnostic and treatment methods
are based on international stand-
ards and guidelines: ICD–10, the
Istanbul Protocol, experts’ consen-
sus guidelines on traumatic stress,
etc. Treatment methods are based
on MDT work with client oriented
individual approach.
Training
EMPATHY provides national and
international training/educational
programmes, conferences and
seminars with international and
national partner organisations for
prison doctors, forensic doctors,
psychiatrists and health care spe-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: travel and accommo-
Psychiatric dation outreach, if required
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
cialists on torture prevention and
MDT treatment and rehabilitation.
Several training manuals are pub-
lished by the centre.
Research
The centre researches case stud-
ies, collects statistical data and
provides analysis using statistical
scientific methods. Several pub-
lications are published and pre-
sented during professional confer-
ences and on the web.
Legal
EMPATHY provides legal assistance
for victims and family members in
local and international courts, as
well as client advocacy, legal con-
sultations and forensic reports ac-
cording to the Istanbul Protocol.
Documentation
The centre collects clinical, psy-
chological and statistical data
using clinical and psychological
questionnaires.
Prevention
The centre is providing strong ac-
tivities on prevention of torture and
implementation of international
standards on prevention.
Information and advocacy
EMPATHY conducts advocacy
through distribution of publica-
53
tions and through press confer- Contact
(Legal Address:)
ences, roundtables and 26 June
Saburtalo Str. 3 Block, Apt. 26
events. The centre submits recom- Tbilisi 0194
mendations to State agencies for Georgia
protection of victims, prevention,
(Contact)
implementation of international 23 Kandelaki Str
standards and prison health care Tbilisi
Georgia
reform.
Phone: +995 32 38 10 15; (hotline)
Networking +995 32 48 23 15
Fax: +995 32 38 10 33
EMPATHY is a member of the Euro- mjishkariani@yahoo.com; cen-
pean Network of the Torture Vic- tre@empathy.ge
tims Rehabilitation Centres and the www.empathy.ge
team created for prison monitoring Established
by the President of Georgia. It net- 1996
works with departments within the
Director(s)
Ministries of Justice and Health Dr Mariam Jishkariani
and with PRI, Georgian Medical
Contact person(s)
Association, Article 42 of Constitu-
Dr Mariam Jishkariani, Centre
tion, Crisis Intervention Centre in Director; Dr George Berulava,
Gali Region, Society of Georgian Deputy Director
Psychiatrists and the WPA Sec-
Staff
tion “Torture Psychological Conse- 2 project directors/managers
quences and Persecution”. 1 financial manager
1 database secretary
2 psychiatrists
Funding 1 general doctor
Main donors are the EU, UNVFVT 2 psychotherapists
1 psychologist
and OAK Foundation. 1 art therapist
1 physiotherapist
Future plans 1.5 social workers
1.5 lawyers
Projects on: prison psychiatry 1 driver
reform; training; monitoring pre- 1 neurologist (part-time)
trial detention facilities; centre 1 orthopaedist/traumatologist
(part-time)
institutional development; trau- 1 nurse (part-time)
matic stress; and rehabilitation for 1 psychiatrist/narcologist/acu
puncture specialist (part-time)
victims of the Russian-Georgian
7 partner organisation staff
conflict in 2008. 12 permanent consultants
5 volunteers from Tbilisi State
Medical University
Working language(s)
Georgian, Russian, English
Number of clients treated per year
470 primary torture victims
30 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Georgia
The Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical
Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT)
A candle action in support of victims of torture on
June the 26th
Primary objective(s)
• Provision of effective psycho-
logical, medical, social and le-
gal assistance to torture survi-
vors and their family members
• Contributing to the prevention
of torture
• Raising public awareness
• Strengthening capacities.
Treatment
Treatment schemas are based on
the bio-psycho-social paradigm.
The work of GCRT is based on
multidisciplinary and systemic ap-
proaches, involving work with cli-
ents’ families and empowering cli-
ents at the community level. GCRT
provides medical, psychological,
psychotherapeutic, psychiatric,
legal and social assistance. Psy-
chological work is conducted on
individual, family and group levels.
GCRT uses supportive and trauma
focused therapies. If requested,
GCRT provides records for asylum
seeking procedures or re-settle-
ment issues. Special emphasis is
made on working with children and
adolescents.
Training
Various trainings are conducted
regularly on: trauma identification
and treatment for primary care
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
doctors; torture trauma sequelae
for prison doctors; support of re-
socialization for persons under
probation for probation officers;
crisis intervention for psycholo-
gists, doctors, social workers, etc.;
prevention of burnout for profes-
sionals working with traumatized
persons; and prohibition of torture
for law enforcement personnel.
Research
GCRT has conducted two large
surveys on public perception of
human rights abuses and torture,
and clinical research on the psy-
chosocial profile of traumatized
persons and efficiency of proposed
interventions.
Legal
GCRT provides legal assistance
to clients, ranging from domestic
and social issues to protection of
human rights. GCRT cooperates
with the Ombudsman’s office and
human rights NGOs.
Documentation
The GCRT operates a library acces-
sible to centre staff, volunteers and
students.
Prevention
GCRT together with the Human
54
Rights Center conducts trainings Contact
for law enforcement officials. 0179 V. Anjaparidze str. #9
Tbilisi
GCRT participates in monitoring of Georgia
places of detention and psychiatric
institutions. Phone: +995 32 22 06 89; +995
32 22 54 02
gcrt@gol.ge; ltsiskarishvili@
Information and advocacy gcrt.ge
GCRT organises events on 26 June,
distributes leaflets and other pub- Established
lications, participates in televi- 2000
sion/radio shows and propagates Director(s)
the prohibition of torture and inhu- Lela Tsiskarishvili, Executive Di-
man treatment. rector; Erekle Natadze, Financial/
Administrative Director; Zurab
Beberashvili, Medical Director
Networking
GCRT is the founding member of Contact person(s)
Lela Tsiskarishvili, Executive
Georgian Society of Psychotrau- Director
ma. Members of GCRT are affiliated
with European Society of Traumatic Staff
6 medical doctors
Stress Studies. GCRT is a member 4 psychologists
of the Public Defender’s Council for 4 psychotherapists
monitoring human rights violations 4 social workers
2 child psychologists
in psychiatric institutions and of 3 lawyers
the Georgian NGOs Coalition. 4 psychiatrists
1 nurse
Funding Working language(s)
Funding comes from the EC, UN- Georgian, Russian, English
VFVT, OAK Foundation and UN- Number of clients treated per year
HCR. 250 primary torture victims
170 secondary torture victims
140 other clients
Future plans
GCRT has 4 centres in Georgia, with
plans to establish a new centre.
Germany
Berlin Center for the Treatment of Torture Victims (bzfo)
Meeting with EU project partners from Kenya, Uganda and
Ethiopia in Berlin
Primary objective(s)
• Providing medical, psychologi-
cal and social care and rehabili-
tation to torture victims
• Documenting the physical, psy-
chological and emotional after-
effects of torture
• Informing the public about tor-
ture and its consequences
• Organising teaching and train-
ing on socio-medical aspects
of torture
• Conducting scientific research
on the causes and consequenc-
es of trauma.
Treatment
The bzfo treats approx. 500 torture
survivors per year. Clients come
from 60 countries, mostly from Tur-
key, the Balkans, the Middle East
and Africa. Approximately 45% are
female; 15% are children and ado-
lescents. Apart from medical, psy-
chosomatic and psychiatric care,
the bzfo offers a wide spectrum of
psychotherapies as well as social
counselling. In addition, clients
have access to a day clinic, an inter-
cultural healing garden, a patients’
workshop, vocational training op-
portunities and language courses.
Training
The bzfo provides seminars and
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Professional training
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Pain research study with biofeedback
equipment
supervision to lawyers, judges,
physicians, psychologists, psy-
chotherapists, social workers and
civil servants in order to train them
in the care and treatment of trau-
matised persons and to make them
aware of the special problems and
symptoms that our clients face.
Research
Research focuses on computer-
based diagnostics (MultiCASI)
and optimization of treatment for
torture survivors, such as pain
management and internet-based
treatment for conflict zones and
older survivors of war. In addition,
concepts such as retraumatisation
and reconciliation in the context of
human rights violations are inves-
tigated.
Documentation
The bzfo research library has more
than 31,000 items and provides us-
ers with background information
on the political, social and cultural
situation in the clients’ countries
of origin, as well as on torture and
extreme traumatisation.
Information and advocacy
Publications include annual re-
ports, newsletters, books and sci-
entific articles. The bzfo also pro-
55
duces press information and hosts Contact
conferences informing the media Turmstrasse 21
10559 Berlin
and the public about the situation Germany
of our patients. Regular lobbying
efforts are also carried out with Phone: +49 30 30 39 06 0
Fax: +49 30 30 61 43 71
politicians, presenting them with mail@bzfo.de; b.jenkins@bzfo.de
our patients’ problems both in www.bzfo.de
Germany and in their countries of
Established
origin. Fundraising events include 1992
an annual art auction, benefit con-
Director(s)
certs and public readings. Richard Grünberg, Mercedes
Hillen
Networking
Contact person(s)
The bzfo collaborates with the IRCT, Britta Jenkins, Public Relations
ESTSS and ISTSS, and is a member
of a nation-wide network of health Staff
4 medical doctors
professionals monitoring the situ- 2 psychiatrist
ation of refugees in Germany. It is 9 psychologists
a member of the Network of Euro- 2 child/youth psychotherapists
8 social workers
pean Treatment and Rehabilitation 1 physiotherapist
Centers for Victims of Torture and 1 biologist
Human Rights Violations. 1 medical assistant
1 nurse
2 public relations officers
Funding 2 project managers
1 librarian
Funding is received from the EU;
5 administrative staff
UNVFVT; Ministry for Family, Sen- 4 freelance therapists
ior Citizens, Women and Youth; 10 interns
8 graduate students
foundations; corporations; and 27 freelance interpreters
private donors. 12 freelance teachers
10 volunteers
Working language(s)
German, English
Number of clients treated per year
500 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
2000 other clients
Germany
Exilio - Help for Migrants, Refugees and Victims
of Torture e.v.
Primary objective(s)
Holistic help for traumatized refu-
gees and victims of torture through:
psychological support in the form
of psychological expertises and
trauma therapy, individual social
counselling and special assistance
for refugees living in the home for
asylum seekers in Lindau as well
as special therapeutic and social
offers for child refugees, meas-
ures of integration for migrants
and fostering dialogue between
migrants and locals in our inter-
cultural centre “Kuturbrücke”, and
legal assistance, country research
and awareness-raising regarding
asylum policy and torture.
Treatment
Treatment offered at the centre in-
cludes different types of therapy,
mainly client-centred therapy and
(cognitive-behavioural) Gestalt
therapy. Children are offered game
therapy and kinesiology individu-
ally and in groups. In the course of
the last year 35 therapies and 100
expertises were realised.
Training
Training activities include practi-
cal training for students of social
work, psychology, law and public
communication.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: expertise on
Psychiatric traumatisation and PTSD
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research and Human Rights or the Ministry Contact
Our country research comprises of State of Bavaria as well as from Reutiner Straße 5
D-88131 Lindau
the investigation of special ques- foundations, private donors and Germany
tions concerning countries of ori- membership fees.
gins. Phone: +49 8382 40 94 50
Fax: +49 8382 40 94 54
info@exilio.de
Information and advocacy www.exilio.de
In addition to a number of reports
Established
in local and regional newspapers 1995
and radio programmes, we publish
Director(s)
“Infopunkt”, which is sent to nearly Gisela von Maltitz
2,000 subscribers.
Contact person(s)
Gisela von Maltitz
Networking
Exilio collaborates with local NGOs Staff
(including Amnesty International 8 social care professionals
4 psychologists and therapists
and contact groups for asylum 4 employees in charge of organi-
seekers) and the Advisory Board for sation, public communication,
Foreigners of Lindau, and is a mem- fundraising and administra-
tion
ber of the German organisation of
psychosocial centres “BAFF” and Working language(s)
“Der Paritätische”. In the context German
of project meetings we further- Number of clients treated
more work constructively together 35 primary torture victims
40 secondary torture victims
with organisations of other coun-
700 other clients
tries as RADAR (Netherlands) and
ZEBRA (Austria) as well as with our
partner organisation “Refugio Vil-
lingen-Schwenningen”.
Funding
Funding is received from national
and European public sources as the
European Refugee Fund, the Euro-
pean Instrument for Democracy
56
Germany
Medical Care Service for Refugees Bochum (MFH)
Event on 26th of June including movie screening, speech and discussion about torture and its consequences
Primary objective(s)
• Medical support
• Psycho-social support
• Political support to refugees in
Germany
• Providing the aforementioned
support especially to refugees
without papers and survivors of
severe human rights violations
• Human rights activities via the
campaign “Justice heals”.
Treatment
The MFH offers psychotherapy
and psychological counselling
for survivors of torture. Since our
clients are regularly under risk of
deportation, our social work aims
at stabilising their legal status. The
medical treatment and the social
work with refugees cover not only
survivors of torture. Refugees con-
sult MFH with all kinds of health or
social problems, which are often
not related to possible traumatic
experiences, even if they survived
torture or other severe atrocities.
Training
In 2003 we offered a training
programme for pedagogues on
psychotrauma, to deepen their
understanding of refugee torture
survivors (especially children). For
the future we intend to offer train-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
ings on the application of the Istan-
bul Protocol.
Research
In 2005 and 2006 MFH realised a
study on the positive impact of
the fight against impunity on sur-
vivors’ stabilisation. In October
2008 the campaign “Justice Heals”
published the results of a study
(2004-2006) on the fight against
impunity in 13 countries.
Documentation
Documentation occurs through an-
nual reports, internal evaluation
procedures and reports for foun-
dations.
Prevention
Public awareness activities, media
campaigns and publications make
up MFH’s prevention activities.
Information and advocacy
The centre carries out activities fo-
cused on the fight against impunity
for severe human rights violations
via the campaign “Justice heals”.
MFH also publishes publications,
calls for demonstrations, launches
campaigns to support refugees, or-
ganises seminars and participates
in international fora.
57
Networking
MFH is a member of BAFF and col-
laborates with other treatment
centres across Germany. MFH’s
campaign “Justice heals” runs
an international network against
impunity, involving human rights
organisations/activists, lawyers’
associations and groups of survi-
vors/family members of forcibly
disappeared victims.
Funding
In 2007 MFH received funding from
the EU/European Refugee Fund,
State of North Rhine-Westphalia,
Town of Bochum, German Foun-
dation for UN-Refugee-Aid, GLS
Bank, Misereor and Lottery “Glück-
sspirale”.
Future plans
MFH wants to extend its staff, es-
pecially concerning provision of
psychotherapy for survivors. In a
joint project with the World Coali-
tion Against Torturers we intend
to strengthen the network “Justice
heals” and try to bring perpetra-
tors and authors of severe human
rights violations to court.
Contact
Engelsburger Str. 168,
D-44793 Bochum
Germany
Phone: +49 234 904 1380
Fax: +49 234 904 1381
info@mfh-bochum.de
www.mfh-bochum.de; www.
gerechtigkeit-heilt.de
Established
1997
Director(s)
Marjan Aghaie, Lennart Peters,
Georg Eberwein, Knut Rauchfuss,
Christoph Quick
Contact person(s)
Georg Eberwein and
Knut Rauchfuss
Staff
1 behavior- and traumatherapist
7 psychotherapists paid by fee
1 social worker
1 human rights activist
1 administration/accountant
1 fundraiser
Working language(s)
German, English, French, Span-
ish, Farsi, Turkish
Number of clients treated per year
46 primary torture victims
~350 secondary and other clients
Germany
REFUGIO – Centre for Treatment, Counselling and Psychotherapy
for Victims of Torture, Expulsion and Violence in Schleswig-
Holstein Inc.
Behjat Moaali, LLM, head of
REFUGIO team
Primary objective(s)
• Psychotherapy, medical and
social care, treatment and reha-
bilitation for torture survivors,
politically motivated violence
and expulsion
• Special attention is paid to: chil-
dren, adolescents and women
who have suffered severe trau-
matization
• Elucidation to the public about
violation of human rights, rac-
ism, violence and its aftermath
• Organisation of trainings about
social and medical aspects of
human rights violations and re-
habilitation.
Treatment
Therapists within the network of
REFUGIO employ a wide range of
common treatment methods. Most
of the therapies are carried out by
residential psychotherapists in the
Bundesland Schleswig-Holstein.
For children and adolescents, most
of the therapies are accomplished
by REFUGIO psychotherapists.
Training
REFUGIO offers supervision and
training to psychotherapists and
interpreters working with trauma-
tized refugees and training to gen-
eral practitioners, immigration of-
ficers, administrative court judges
and public health authorities.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: specialized project for
Psychiatric children and young adults
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
REFUGIO is developing a “good
practice” in receiving victims of
torture and politically motivated
violence in rural areas, which in-
volves early detection of trauma by
sensitizing immigration officers,
immigration health services and
relevant administrative courts.
Legal
The centre offers support dur-
ing the asylum procedure. REFU-
GIO has developed guidelines for
conclusive psychotherapeutic re-
sponses and psychiatric reports.
Documentation
The centre documents all major
activities and offers information
and access to documentation via
its website.
Prevention
Prevention is provided by the cen-
tre’s information and advocacy
activities.
Information and advocacy
REFUGIO puts pressure on political
and administrative officials to ful-
fil their obligations under interna-
tional conventions and relevant EU
directives. On 4 February, REFUGIO
celebrates the Day against Torture
in the Bundesland Schleswig-Hol-
stein with public activities that
58
draw attention to the problem of Contact
torture. Schaßstraße 5
D-24103 Kiel
Germany
Networking
REFUGIO has close professional as- Phone: +49 431 53 02 53 00
Fax: +49 431 530 25 30 53
sociations with: Deutsches Rotes info@refugio-kiel.de
Kreuz, Kreisverband Neumünster www.refugio-kiel.de
in Neumünster; Diakonieverein Mi-
gration - Beratung für Ausländer, Established
Flüchtlinge und Aussiedler in Pin- 1997
neberg; BAFF e.V. Working Group
Director(s)
for Psychosocial Centers for refu- Marijana Rakuljic, Anita Gruber,
gees and torture victims in Berlin. Ulrich Kruse
REFUGIO works with: Diakonisches Contact person(s)
Werk Schleswig-Holstein, Rends- Peter Keune
burg, and regional branches of
Staff
Social-Migration-Counselling and 1 lawyer
co-operates with UNHCR-Deutsch- 3 psychologists
land, Amnesty International and 2 social workers
1 administration staff
the German Red Cross (DRK). 2 volunteers
Funding Working language(s)
German
REFUGIO receives funding from
AKTION MENSCH – Deutsche Be- Number of clients treated per year
340 primary torture victims
hindertenhilfe e.V., the state govern-
30 secondary torture victims
ment of the Bundesland Schleswig- 0 other clients
Holstein, the European Refugee
Fund, donations and Der Paritätische
Schleswig-Holstein.
Future plans
Improving services; employing a
psychiatrist/psychotherapist to
work with emergency crisis inter-
ventions.
.
Greece
Medical Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (MRCT)
Primary objective(s)
• To rehabilitate and provide ad-
vice to persons who have been
subjected to torture
• To train professionals in the as-
sessment and management of
torture sequelae
• To raise public awareness of
torture methods used and the
possibility of rehabilitating
victims
• To contribute to torture-related
research and the prevention of
torture
• To maintain a documentation
centre.
Treatment
The target groups are survivors of
torture and secondary victims. The
majority of MRCT’s clients come
from Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Afghani-
stan, Sudan and Congo.
Training
Since 1995, MRCT has been an
accredited training centre for stu-
dents from the School of Social
Work. Training seminars for police
officers working with the asylum
authorities are organised regular-
ly. The MRCT legal counsellor has
gone on several missions to bor-
der areas as co-trainer together
with the UNHCR Legal Protection
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Officer, in order to train the police in both English and Greek. Numer- Contact
officers who are the first to receive ous articles have been published 9, Lycabettous Street
106 72 Athens
illegal immigrants in Greece. in newspapers and magazines. Greece
MRCT staff members regularly
participate in different training Networking Phone: +30 210 36 46 807; +30
210 36 43 792; +30 210 36 04 967
activities for both professionals The Balkan Network for the Pre- Fax: +30 210 36 44 366
and non-professionals, in Greece vention of Torture and the Reha- mrct@mrct.org
www.mrct.org
and abroad. bilitation of the Victims (BAN) has
expanded to include centres from Established
Research almost all Balkan countries. The 1989
Several instruments (psychologi- MRCT is elected as the network Director(s)
cal scales and self-ratings) are secretariat. Maria Piniou-Kalli, MD, PhD,
used for diagnostic and research Medical Director
purposes. Various research Funding Contact person(s)
projects are carried out according The MRCT receives funding from Dimocritos Sarantidis, MD;
to growing needs and resources the EU, the UNVFVT, the Greek par- Marina Maisouradze, Executive
Secretary
available. Results are published liament and the Greek Ministry.
and presented at conferences. Staff
1 medical director
1 legal counsellor
Documentation 1 psychiatrist
An MS Access database has been 1 psychologist
used for registering client data 3 social workers
1 administrative director
since 1997. 1 accountant
2 secretaries
1 office assistant
Prevention
Various events, such as confer- Working language(s)
ences, interviews and TV appear- English, Greek
ances, have been organised to Number of clients treated
increase awareness among the (not available)
general public and authorities and
to generate public pressure.
Information and advocacy
The MRCT publication “TA AN-
THROPHINA” is published annually
59
Guatemala
Office of Human Rights of the Archbishop of Guatemala (ODHAG)
Activities of the ODHAG, Guatemala
Primary objective(s)
• To address human rights viola-
tions against the most vulner-
able parts of the population
• To work in accordance with the
ecclesiastical and universal
mandate of human rights
• To facilitate the process of indi-
vidual, family and group recon-
ciliation
• To contribute and strengthen at-
tention to the damages caused
by the internal armed conflict
and other human rights viola-
tions.
Treatment
In 2008, attention and follow-up
in mental health promotion was
given to 150 persons, 183 people
were attended to in the exhuma-
tion and interment process, nine
were attended to for individual
violence, three received psycho-
social accompaniment for missing
childhood due to internal conflict
and 35 elderly prisoners were given
alternative therapy.
Training
Training is conducted around men-
tal health promoters, political in-
cidence and citizenship participa-
tion.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Activities of the ODHAG, Guatemala
Research Networking Contact
ODHAG conducts research into ODHAG is networked with the: Na- 6th Street 7-70
Zone 1
violence prevention in the Chorti tional Network of Mental Health; Guatemala
area and Momostenango, and on Mesoamerican network/IRCT;
pain and suffering management in Latin American network against Phone: +502 22 85 04 56; +502 22
32 83 84
the prison context. The centre has torture, impunity and other vio- ddhh@odhag.org.gt
also developed an approach guide lations of human rights; Human www.odhag.org.gt
for elderly people. Rights Board; Network of the Peni-
Established
tentiary System; and the network 1989
Legal for the abolition of the death pen-
Director(s)
Some of ODHAG’s legal work has alty. It has an agreement with the Nery Rodenas
included: three prisoner cases doctoral programme in psychology
for penalty redemption (elderly at the University of San Carlos Gua- Contact person(s)
Ronald Solis
people), two cases for prison- temala.
ers with terminal diseases, four Staff
psycho-legal follow-up on torture Funding 6 psychologists
3 lawyers
victim cases, 32 abuse and bad Funding comes from DANIDA. 1 anthropologist
treatment cases and two torture 1 social communicator
cases in San Juan Sacatepequez, Future plans 1 economist
1 social worker
self-help groups and 32 advocacy A mental health project running 1 translator
measures, and Istanbul Protocol from 2007-2010 involves 12 pro- 1 physiotherapist
incidence. ODHAG has done four fessionals, three administration
Working language(s)
consultancies on prisoner women workers and integral development Spanish
with children, an intervention on based on human rights. A project
Number of clients treated per year
jail conflict requesting better treat- on torture in 2008 utilised one law-
44 primary torture victims
ment conditions, and penitentiary yer and one professional working 0 secondary torture victims
pastoral consultancy. on political incidents. 333 other clients
Documentation
Documentation goes hand in hand
with communitarian groups, psy-
chosocial work experiences with
reflection groups, the psycho-le-
gal approach manual, incidence
manual, and jail visits manual.
60
Honduras

Centre for Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims

of Torture and their Relatives (CPTRT)

Counselling session. Client with Arely Alvarado, Counselling session. Client with Carmen Martínez,
psychologist (left) psychologist (right)

Primary objective(s) Legal Future plans Contact

• Protection of Human Rights of
honduran people exposed to
torture and organized violence
and cruel, inhuman and de-
grading treatments (TOV-CIDT)
• Prevention of violence and
promotion of a peace culture
trough educational and inform-
ative diffusion
• Research, documentation and
political incidence.
Treatment
To improve physical, cognitive,
emotional and spiritual health of
the target groups trough medi-
cal, alternative and psychological
treatment to individuals and their
relatives
Training
We offer advice and legal aid to
prisoners and their relatives.
Documentation
Cases of torture and organized
violence.
Prevention
Prevention through educational
activities in a poor community and
as a member of regional coalition
at a central america level.
Information and advocacy
Information is given through ra-
dio, tv, conferences, website and
advocacy campaigns in order to
make legal changes and public
policies.
Networking
Increase the prevention work with Contact
Col. La Reforma
students of public schools, re- Calle Principal Nº 109
habilitation work with people in Contiguo a Centro IDEAL
prison retired of gangs, continue Tegucigalpa
M.D.C.
with the work on human rights and Honduras
impunity, police training in order C.A.
to make changes on their culture,
Phone: +504 238 30 38
research on epidemiology of vio- Mobile: +504 99 61 29 57
lence, continue with the medical Fax: +504 238 40 27
cptrt@cablecolor.hn;
and psychological prevention, udi@cptrt.org
assistance and torture documen- www.cptrt.org
tation. Create a work-link with
Established
people from universities in order 1995
to achieve the goals.
Director(s)
Dr. Juan Almendares Bonilla; Alba
Mejía, Subdirector
Contact person(s)
Dr. Juan Almendares Bonilla,
Executive Director; Alba Mejía,
Subdirector; Francisco Pavón,
Information Officer

CPTRT offers training in human CPTRT is part of Latin American Staff

rights to prevention police, peni- Network on Health and Torture 3 social workers
3 lawyers
tentiary police, attorneys and pub- Issues and Regional Coalition for
5 health and human rights
lic defense lawyer. We also offer Prevention of Violence to Young promoters
training in peace culture to teach- People; IRCT Network and RCT, 4 medical doctors
3 clinical psychologist
ers and students of public high ODHAG, CPTRT network for pre- 1 sociologist
schools in a poor community. vention of violence. 1 information officer
3 administration and accountant
personnel
Research Funding 2 drivers
Violence and community. RCT, IRCT, Holland Embassy 1 janitor
1 cleaning lady
1 watch man

Working language(s)
Spanish, English
Services Number of clients treated per year
Medical Psychological 56 primary torture victims
Physiotherapy 23 secondary torture victims
Legal
91 other clients
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Information consultancy
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

61
Hungary
Cordelia Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims
Dr Lilla Hárdi, Medical Director of the Foundation, receives a
prize called Sozial Marie for social innovation
Primary objective(s)
• Provision of psychiatric and
psychosocial care for torture
survivors
• Training medical and legal pro-
fessionals, and government of-
ficials in charge of traumatized
refugees
• Elaborate new therapeutic
methods for victims of torture
• Supervision of caregivers
• Prevention and documentation
of torture, awareness raising.
Treatment
The Foundation’s core activity is
to provide direct assistance to vic-
tims of torture residing as asylum
seekers at reception centres in
Hungary. Annually we treat 300 to
350 clients. Rehabilitation services
are provided in the refugee camps.
Therapies are a special combi-
nation of verbal and non-verbal
methods, either on an individual
or group level, according to the
specific needs of clients. Reha-
bilitation services are multilevel
and multilateral. Family members
receive treatment and care from a
psychiatrist, non-verbal therapist,
psychologist and social worker,
both individually as well as among
members of the family.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Accessories of the non-verbal group therapy
Training
Cordelia Foundation has offered
training programmes and super-
vision to professionals dedicated
to working with torture survivors
and to professionals and officials
involved in the asylum process.
Research
The Foundation’s therapists con-
tinuously elaborate their working
methods and have developed new
psychotherapeutic group meth-
ods, including animation therapy,
station group therapy and symbol
therapy. Research is aimed at the
adaptation of other therapeutic
methods to the treatment of tor-
ture survivors.
Legal/Documentation
Psychiatrists prepare medico-le-
gal reports for the asylum process
based on the guidelines of the Is-
tanbul Protocol and other relevant
international instruments.
Prevention
Our public awareness activities
are aimed at informing the wider
public on the relevance of torture
issues and the conditions of refu-
gees, and to replace stereotyping
with tolerance toward individu-
62
als coming from different cultural
backgrounds.
Networking
Cordelia Foundation closely coop-
erates with several European tor-
ture centres (e.g. MRCT, IRCT-Za-
greb, CVPP), with the local UNHCR
office, and local NGOs, such as the
Helsinki Committee, the Asylum
Association, etc.
Funding
The international funds and organ-
isations supporting our activities
are the ERF and EIDHR programmes
of the European Commission, the
UNVFVT, the OAK Foundation, the
IRCT, and the Norwegian Mecha-
nism’s Civil Supporting Grant. On
a national level our activities are
supported by the National Civil
Fund and the Ministry of Justice
and Law Enforcement.
Future plans
From 2009 we will launch a Pre-in-
tegration Unit at the Bicske Refu-
gee Centre offering intensified
treatment for torture survivors
and preparing them for life after
leaving the reception centre.
Contact
(postal)
Balzac u. 37
1136 Budapest
Hungary
(office)
Kárpát street 1/B
1133 Budapest
Hungary
Phone: +36 1 349 1450
Mobile: +36 1 30 280 1125
Fax: +36 1 239 1332
cordelia@chello.hu; lilhardi@
gmail.com
www.cordelia.hu
Established
1996
Director(s)
Dr. Lilla Hárdi, Medical Director
Contact person(s)
Dr. Lilla Hárdi, Medical Director;
Szilvia Káplány, Programme
Coordinator; Gábor Király, Project
Coordinator
Staff
1 medical director/psychiatrist
3 adult psychiatrists
1 child psychiatrist
2 psychologists
1 non-verbal therapist
1 social worker/interpreter
2 programme coordinators
1 financial controller/accountant
1 medical administrator/ac
countant assistant
interpreters
volunteers
Working language(s)
Hungarian, English and native
languages in therapies
Number of clients treated per year
189 primary torture victims
40 secondary torture victims
151 Number of other clients
India
Centre for Care of Torture Victims (CCTV)
CCTV officials along with dignitaries commemorat-
ing the 26 June, UN International Day in Support of
Victims of Torture
Primary objective(s)
• Extend medical and psycho-
social relief and rehabilitation
services to primary, secondary
and tertiary torture survivors,
along with legal redress
• Spread awareness regarding
individuals’ rights in order to
protect democracy
• Train professionals about treat-
ment, psychological/legal coun-
selling of torture victims and
documentation
• Network amongst NGOs in
reaching out to the multitudes
• Carry out research related to
torture victims and disseminate
information on this subject.
Treatment
CCTV provides physical and psy-
chological treatment/counselling
to primary, secondary and tertiary
victims of torture. The centre has its
own clinic and also a mobile medi-
cal unit. CCTV provides treatment
at jails, destitute homes, short
stay homes and political sufferers’
homes (all these are run by the State
Government) following requests by
the concerned authority. CCTV also
provides medical assistance to the
below poverty level (BPL) groups.
Along with treatment/counselling,
CCTV bears the responsibility for
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy
Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
CCTV’s representation (along with TOP Centre, India)
before the Prime Minister of India regarding the appeal
for ratification of UNCAT
taking care of hospitalisation and/
or surgery, if needed.
Training
Training is offered to professionals
(doctors and lawyers).
Research
CCTV has conducted a survey on
patterns of torture in selected dis-
tricts of West Bengal, and prepara-
tion of a questionnaire on patterns
of torture (the first of its kind in
India).
Legal
Legal counselling is provided to
victims of torture.
Documentation
Medical documentation occurs as
per the Istanbul Protocol. The cen-
tre maintains library and informa-
tion services and also monitors al-
leged and reported cases of torture
(in general, and in West Bengal in
particular).
Prevention
Awareness campaigns for the pre-
vention of torture are launched
through workshops, seminars,
training, surveys, etc. among dif-
ferent target groups in the society
on topics such as medical ethics
63
and torture, legal aspects and tor- Contact
ture, human rights and torture. P 501, Keyatala Road
Kolkata -700 029
West Bengal
Information and advocacy India
CCTV presented before the Prime
Phone: +91 33 24 65 79 37
Minister of India the appeal regard- Mobile: +98 31 34 01 02
ing ratification of UNCAT. Fax: +91 33 24 65 79 38
cctvindia@ymail.com; cctv@cal2.
vsnl.net.in
Networking www.cctv.org.in
Collaboration is undertaken with
Established
international, national and local 1997
human rights bodies/NGOs.
Director(s)
Dr. Mrs. Arati Basu Sengupta,
Funding President; Dr. Sibadatta Chaud-
CCTV receives funding from UN- huri, Vice-President; Mr. Jayjit
VFVT, IRCT and OCSG. Ganguly, Hon. Secretary; Dr. Mihir
Banerjee, Hon. Joint Secretary;
Mr. Asoke Ghosh, Hon. Treasurer
Future plans
More treatment of torture victims Contact person(s)
Mr. Jayjit Ganguly; Ms. Minakshi
other than prisoners; more work- Chaudhuri
shops, particularly with profes-
sionals; more surveys; awareness Staff
1 executive secretary
campaigns (at a grassroots level) 1 project director
regarding torture and the preven- 1 project coordinator
1 legal advisor
tion of torture; setting up own
1 medical officer
building including short stay facili- 2 physicians
ties; expanding the library/docu- 1 gynaecologist
1 counsellor
mentation unit; more prison visits 1 psychiatrist
including surveys and treatment. 1 orthopaedic
1 physiotherapist
1 accounts consultant
1 accountant
1 office secretary
1 office attendant
2 social workers
2 field survey workers
10 volunteers
Working language(s)
English, Bengali, Hindi
Number of clients treated per year
985 primary torture victims
135 secondary torture victims
51 other clients
India
Centre for Organisation Research & Education
- Community Programme for Young Survivors of Torture
(CORE)
Primary objective(s)
To publicly address the issue of
torture, and initiate and develop a
sustainable programme of identifi-
cation of young survivors of torture,
including women and children, and
provide appropriate support serv-
ices for their physical, psychologi-
cal, emotional and spiritual health
needs for their therapeutic recov-
ery, rehabilitation and re-integra-
tion into family and community.
Treatment
The programme functions in a very
high incidence area of torture and
arbitrary detention. The main meth-
ods of torture encountered are im-
mersion in cold water, rendering a
person partially or totally nude for
questioning, trussing, blindfold-
ing and mock executions, electric
shocks, beatings and other forms
of physical and verbal abuse some-
times of a sexual nature, introduc-
tion of sticks and other blunt in-
struments into the anus, hanging
and rolling over the legs with a
blunt heavy roller. The programme
works on building a strong referral
network of services, both legal and
health. The programme has a pri-
mary focus on prevention, and often
involves survivors in its work as an
empowering rehabilitation tool.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Descriptions of services
• Medical: primary care of injuries
and follow-up as required
• Counselling: in a clinical setting
or through visits to a psychiatrist
counsellor
• Family visits: family involvement
is a focus in the approach
• Financial assistance: Monetary
aid is not available but some
medication is provided free of
charge
• Referrals
• Family- or home-based treat-
ment
• Psychological: involvement in
the campaign for human rights
forms another part of psycho-
logical support
• Legal: provided pro bono as far
as possible through a network
of lawyers
• Research and documentation of
reported torture cases
• Urgent action appeals: the pro-
gramme has an urgent response
service that is national and inter-
national in scope
• Capacity enhancement and shar-
ing: the capacity of health and
legal professionals, as well as
that of human rights defenders,
is shared across the referral net-
work. The Istanbul Protocol was
printed and published locally
64
for use by professionals. A sys- Contact
tematic training programme is Loisanglen
Nongmeibung Nambam Chuthek
being planned for implementa- Imphal 795001
tion in the near future. There are Manipur
proposals to introduce torture in India
the medical and legal curricula Phone: +91 385 244 48 45; 244
of local institutions 13 19
Fax: +91 385 222 81 69
• Networking and advocacy: the
coreloisanglen@gmail.com
International Day in Support of
Torture Victims is the core activ- Established
2001
ity to build public opinion and
support. Director(s)
Dr Debabrata Roy Laifungbam
Funding Contact person(s)
The programme presently does Namdithiu Pamei; Dr D Roy
not receive funding from external Laifungbam
sources. Staff
2 administrative
2 documentation
2 doctors (1 psychiatrist) with
several referral clinic based
doctors
1 coordinator
2 field staff
Variable number of volunteers
(community aided)
Working language(s)
English, Meiteilon, Rongmei and
other indigenous languages
Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
India
Shubhodaya Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture
and Violence (SCRVTV) – Society for Social Research, Art
and Culture (SOSRAC)
Participants in 26th June Community Programme
Primary objective(s)
• Providing comprehensive reha-
bilitation to torture victims
• Providing medical and psy-
chological services for proper
physical and psychological re-
habilitation
• Providing physiotherapy and
occupational therapy services
for the proper physical rehabili-
tation
• Creating awareness among law
enforcement agencies and sen-
sitising them to the problems of
detainees
• Strengthening and sensitising
NGOs and the public through
technical assistance and aware-
ness raising.
Treatment
The centre provides comprehen-
sive rehabilitation treatment to
torture victims, including medical,
psychological, social and physio-
therapeutic assistance. A nurse as-
sists the medical doctor in making
detailed assessments of client’s
health status. The social workers
try to help the torture victims get
back to a normal life and integrate
into their surroundings. The physi-
otherapist provides home visits to
clients who have difficulty reach-
ing the centre. SOSRAC is leading
a three year project in compre-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Staff of Shubhodaya celebrating 26th June activity
hensive rehabilitation of torture
victims and creating resources in
Asia. This programme is funded by
EU (EIDHR) and involves two cen-
tres in Bangladesh and Srilanka.
Training
SCRVTV organises regular training
seminars to improve the clinical
skills of its staff. We have organ-
ised several training seminars
in collaboration with the Indian
Medical Association for Doctors.
We have organised programmes
for professionals such as lawyers,
social workers, nurses, psycholo-
gists, volunteers and the media.
Our centre recently developed a
manual for professionals working
with torture victim in India.
Research
Our centre is active in conduct-
ing scientific studies which have
helped us provide improved serv-
ices to torture victims. We have
completed a study on female tor-
ture and domestic violence in Delhi
slums.
Documentation
We maintain records of torture vic-
tims attending our centre, as well
as occurrences of torture in the
community.
65
Information and advocacy Contact
The centre organises regular meet- (Medical Center)
Basti Vikas Kendra, Near Hanu-
ings to raise awareness among, man Mandir
and sensitise, the public and pro- Private Colony, Srinivaspuri
fessionals. Our centre participates New Delhi – 110065
India
in national and international meet-
ings organised by various profes- (Project Office)
TA/91, Tughlakabad Extension
sional organisations.
Main Okhla Road
New Delhi – 110091
Networking India
We collaborate with the IRCT and its
(Registered Office)
centres. We are part of the Center for C-129, Saraswati Kunj Society
Victims of Torture, Minnesota USA 25 I.P. Extension, Patparganj
Delhi - 110092
network. We also have contacts India
with the UNVFVT, UNHCR, British
Council, National Human Rights Phone: +91 11 2633 1526; +91 11
26086694
Commission, National Commission Mobile: +91 98 110 26694
for Women, Commonwealth Human Fax: +91 11 26086694
Rights Initiative, Indian Law Insti- sosrac@bol.net.in; sosrac@
hotmail.com
tute, Indian Medical Association, www.sosrac.org
Indian Psychiatric Society and
Delhi Psychiatric Society. Established
2000
Funding Director(s)
Dr Pradeep Agrawal, Director;
We have received funding from
Mr H K Agarwal, Manager
the EU, UNVFVT and CVT (through
USAID), OAK Foundation through Contact person(s)
Dr Pradeep Agrawal, Director;
IRCT, The Royal Netherland Em-
Mr H K Agarwal, Manager
bassy, British Council, UNHCR and
local donations. Staff
1 manager
2 medical officer
Future plans 2 psychiatrists
Future plans include the expansion 1 manager
2 psychologists
of services to torture victims and 2 counsellors
to work on the regional level with 5 social workers
neighbouring countries. 1 physiotherapist
1 nurse
1 office assistant
2 accountant
1 project coordinator
2 language teachers
1 helper
2 guards
Working language(s)
English, Hindi
Number of clients treated per year
150 primary torture victims
50 secondary torture victims
90 other clients
India
Tibetan Torture Survivors’ Program (TTSP)
Primary objective(s)
• To rehabilitate torture victims
• To give holistic treatment
• To give financial support
• To give special opportunities
for livelihood training to young
torture victims
• To create awareness on mental
health problems.
Treatment
At first our clients go to primary
health centres run by the Depart-
ment of Health and Tibetan Medical
Institute for treatment. If they can-
not be cured or treated there, the
doctors refer them to bigger Indian
hospitals. The Department bears
all the medical and travelling ex-
penses and also gives daily allow-
ance. Our clients can take helpers
to whom we give incentives besides
bearing other expenses.
Training
We give trainings to our health
workers from time to time.
Research
Research is done by the Depart-
ment of Security on the overall Ti-
betan affairs and especially torture
in Tibet.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: livelihood training
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Kalsang Tsering, social
worker, and Kalsang
Lhamo, project officer
(three and four from
left) attending a work-
shop on rehabilitation
of torture victims in
New Delhi
Documentation Contact
On the very first day of enrolment Department of Health
Central Tibetan Administration
into our programme, we fill out Gangchen Kyishong
the Hopkins checklist and assess- P.O. Dharamsala
ment form. We ask clients to bring 176215 Distt. Kangra
H.P.
their life story on how they were India
brought up and what inspired them
Phone: +1 892 223 408
to raise their voice against the rule
Fax: +1 892 222 718
of Chinese in Tibet, how they were ttsp@gov.tibet.net; health@gov.
tortured in and out of prison and tibet.net
finally how they escaped into ex- Established
ile. They bring this information 1996
in Tibetan and we translate into
Director(s)
English. We keep personal files of Health Kalon (Minister) and Secre-
every client. tary look after all the sections of
the Department of Health; TTSP is
one section
Information and advocacy
These are done through media. Contact person(s)
Health Secretary and Project Of-
ficer of TTSP
Networking
TTSP is a member of the IRCT net- Staff
work. 1 project officer
3 social workers
1 allopathic doctor
Funding 1 traditional Tibetan doctor
(part-time)
Funding comes mainly from the US
1 physiotherapist (part-time)
Agency for International Develop-
ment. We are also getting some Working language(s)
Tibetan, English
help from organisations and indi-
viduals. Number of clients treated per year
67 primary torture victims
24 secondary torture victims
Future plans 13 other clients
We have plans to give more liveli-
hood trainings and create better
contacts with other such centres
to learn from their work.
66
India
Torture Prevention Center India Trust (TOP India Trust)
Training for doctors on “torture medicine”
Primary objective(s)
• Protection, promotion and pres-
ervation of human rights
• Persuade government of India
to ratify the UN Convention
against Torture
• Strengthen Indian democracy
• Erase torture from India
• Work within Indian legal frame-
work.
Treatment
We mainly look into the physical,
medical, psychological and social
problems of victims and provide a
detailed medical testimonial with
which victims are able to fight for
justice. Medical treatment, coun-
selling, physiotherapy and group
counselling sessions for victims
and their relatives are main activi-
ties related to our treatment pro-
grammes.
Training
The Indian Medical Association
Kerala State Branch, Kerala Gov-
ernment Medical Officers Associa-
tion and Qualified Private Medical
Practitioners Association have
joined us to train medical profes-
sionals. The message of “torture
medicine” is reaching 20,000 doc-
tors.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Observation of 26 June 2008 with school children
Research
Our research aims to identify and
analyse torture and thereby utilise
the information to prevent torture.
Legal
We have a panel of legal advisors
to whom we refer cases, who sup-
port the victims and our project
activities.
Documentation
We have developed user friendly
software for the documentation of
victims. Documentation of commu-
nity activities is regularly entered
and we keep event reports includ-
ing photographs separately.
Prevention
Prevention of torture is the primary
objective of our organisation. Sup-
port, assistance and leadership
of the government are essential
for implementing prevention pro-
grammes thus we correspond and
meet relevant persons in the ad-
ministration.
Information and advocacy
Through our District Core Groups
we reach the population with the
theme “Prevent Torture, Resist Tor-
ture and Help Victims of Torture”.
We have developed two e-bro-
67
chures and appear in local news-
papers and television talk shows.
Networking
We have a local network of centre
staff, professionals and NGOs from
14 districts; a national network with
other centres and NGOs; a regional
network with the other Asian IRCT
members; and an international net-
work with more than 100 High Com-
missions and Embassies whose
representatives are in India.
Funding
We have received support from the
EC, OAK grant, IRCT, UNVFVT, TOP
India Trust and the National Human
Rights Commission. Our trustees,
associates, well wishers and some
victims provide liberal financial
support for our activities.
Future plans
We plan to continue extending
treatment and rehabilitation, im-
part training to support torture
victims and prevent impunity, is-
sue publications based on surveys
and research, and establish de-
centralised multiple sustainable
programmes/centres all over the
state.
Contact
Indira Nagar
Kadavanthra P.O.
Cochin 682 020
Kerala State
India
Phone: +91 484 231 7790
Mobile: +94 470 15 649 / +94 465
89 880
topindiatrust@gmail.com;
malinimenon20@hotmail.com;
daisyjcb@gmail.com
www.torturepreventionindia.org
Established
1998
Director(s)
Ms. Malini Menon, Acting Manag-
ing Trustee
Contact person(s)
Ms. Malini Menon, Acting Manag-
ing Trustee; Ms. Daisy Jacob,
Co-opted trainee Trustee
Staff
1 honorary director
1 part time medical team coordi-
nator
1 nurse/front office staff
1 panel of hospitals for treating
victims
1 clinical psychologist on call
2 trained full time counsellors
42 trained district core group
members (lawyers, doctors,
NGO representatives)
1 accountant
1 office assistant/stenographer
1 driver
1 cleaner/helper, part time
Working language(s)
English, Malayalam
Number of clients treated per year
150 primary torture victims
150 secondary torture victims
50 other clients
India
Vasavya Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (VRCT)
Primary objective(s)
• Identifying victims of torture in
accordance with the UN defini-
tion of torture
• Identifying perpetrators
• Providing rehabilitation, coun-
selling, vocational training,
income-generating support,
medical aid, psychiatric care,
physiotherapy and referrals to
government and non-govern-
ment agencies
• Promoting legal awareness.
Training
Training activities include a peer
education system, which is very
successful in focus groups and
which educates peer groups in
self-reporting, treatment, physi-
otherapy and moral support.
Research
VRCT conducts surveys and as-
sessments through participatory
workshops with victims of tor-
ture. The following assessments
are conducted: victims’ problems;
their role in alleviating these prob-
lems; their expectations of gov-
ernmental and non-governmental
organisations; children’s view of
the problems; and children’s own
assessment of their situation.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: vocational training; skills
Psychiatric development
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Documentation
These are examples of documents
maintained in victim files, which
are coded: basic data collection,
including name, address, age,
gender, occupation, income status
and educational qualification; case
history in detail; counselling; type
of torture, etc.
Prevention
Prevention activities include sen-
sitising the police by meeting and
discussing torture directly with
them, and prison visits to counsel
prison inmates and sensitise pris-
on staff regarding torture.
Information and advocacy
Media activities include positive
coverage in the media of all of the
VRCT’s activities and a documen-
tary and telecast on local television
channels about the activities of the
VRCT. The VRCT also campaigns for
human rights and against torture at
different levels in the community.
Networking
Networking activities include li-
aising with local NGOs and other
governmental offices and service
providers at the local level, with
government offices and legisla-
tors and service providers at the
68
state level, and NGOs working in Contact
the field of torture rehabilitation Door No: 40-9/1-16
Vasavya Nagar
through the India Network at the Vijayawada - 520010
national level. Andhra Pradesh
India
Funding Phone: +91 866 472 934
Funding is received from the UN- Mobile: +91 984 918 17 33
Fax: +91 866 473 056; +91 866
VFVT, philanthropists, voluntary
247 30 56
action groups such as the Rotary vasavyamm@sify.com; deek-
Club, Innerwheel and Lions Club, sha_meher@rediffmail.com;
rashmisamaram@hotmail.com
and doctors. www.vasavya.com
Future plans Established
2000
Providing more vocational training
and income-generating support; Director(s)
increasing awareness of human Goparaju Rashmi, Honorary
Project Director
rights; reducing the alcohol de-
pendency and drug addiction of Contact person(s)
victims; improving victims’ per- Goparaju Rashimi, Honorary
Project Director; Dr P. Deeksha,
sonalities through an integrated Medical Director
approach; providing counselling,
workshops and seminars on torture Staff
1 honorary director
for perpetrators; and developing 1 project manager
better networking with low-cadre 2 social workers
2 counsellors
police personnel, with the help of
1 administrative officer
their superior officers. 1 documentation officer
10 outreach workers
1 physiotherapist
2 nurses
1 psychiatrist
10 instructors in vocational
training
1 driver
Working language(s)
English, Telugu
Number of clients treated per year
120 primary torture victims
240 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Indonesia
Alliance of Democracy for Papua (ALDP)
Staff of the ALDP
Primary objective(s)
• To struggle for democracy for
the Papuan people
• To contribute to justice and dig-
nity for the Papuan people
• To improve the collaboration
between the government and
the citizens
• To work for justice in processes
for survivors of torture and their
families.
Treatment
Methods include legal assistance,
individual and group counselling
and referrals for medical treat-
ment.
Training
ALDP has conducted human rights
training for student activists in
Jayapura and for local communi-
ties in 5 regions in Papua (Jayapu-
ra, Biak, Manokwari, Merauke and
Wamena). It also has done social
analysis training for the lay people
in the community (District Demta
and Waris) and conducted aware-
ness raising workshops on torture
issues in Papua.
Research
ALDP has researched human rights
violations in 5 districts in Papua,
separatists’ conflict and peace
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: community organising,
Psychiatric human rights promotion and
campaign, public awareness
Referrals raising
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
building in Papua and completed a
social analysis in conflict areas in
Demta and Waris.
Documentation
In addition to documenting torture
cases in Papua, ALDP produced a
documentary film on the women’s
movement in 3 regions in Papua
(Mimika, Biak and Jayapura).
Prevention
ALDP does awareness raising of
human rights issues for the local
government, police and military,
lawyers, and NGO activists in Pa-
pua.
Information and advocacy
Activities include: a report of sepa-
ratists’ conflict in Papua, updating
the recent social and political situ-
ation in Papua, commemoration of
International Peace Day, commem-
oration of 26 June, and conducting
press conferences about the hu-
man rights situation in Papua.
Networking
ALDP collaborates with the National
Human Rights Commission (KOM-
NAS HAM) in investigating human
rights violations cases in Wamena
and Manokwari. It is a member of
South East Asia Conflict Network-
69
ing and CSPS-UGM and the Human Contact
Rights NGOs Coalition in Papua Jl. Raya Sentani Padang Bulan
Abepura
and networks with many national Jayapura 99351
and international human rights or- Indonesia
ganisations.
Phone: +62 967 587890
Fax: +62 967 587890
Funding aldepe@telkom.net
Funding comes from ICMC Indone-
Established
sia, PIKUL and Cordaid. 2000
Director(s)
Future plans Latifah Anum Siregar, SH
Community assistance for local
people in conflict area; publica- Staff
4 counsellors
tions and campaign on human 2 lawyers
rights issues; litigation for struc- 1 accountant
tural violence cases in the com- 1 administration
10 local counsellors
munities; counselling services in
conflict areas especially for survi- Working language(s)
vors of torture and their families; Indonesian
provide medical services to torture Number of clients treated per year
victims when required; advocate (Not available)
for an anti-torture bill; organisa-
tional capacity building.
Indonesia

International Catholic Migration Commission/Survivors

of Torture (ICMC/SOT)

Activities of the ICMC, Indonesia

Primary objective(s) Research workshops for lawyers, assisting Contact

• To raise public awareness on
the issues of torture
• To work with NGOs and to pro-
mote awareness raising and
advocacy on torture issues
• To provide technical assistance
to increase the professional
skills of relevant NGO staff
members
• To monitor the effectiveness of
the psychosocial counselling
services of partner organisa-
tions
• To provide organisational ca-
pacity training to ensure the
sustainability of the NGO net-
works.
Treatment
Treatment is delivered through
individual and group counselling,
The programme has undertaken
research in 5 detention centers
in Jakarta and designed cultur-
ally applied tools to measure emo-
tional or psychological difficulties,
functioning and coping methods in
Aceh, Jakarta and Papua. ICMC/SOT
also has developed questionnaires
to measure level of understanding
on torture issues before and after
torture awareness activities.
Documentation
ICMC/SOT documents client im-
provement analysis using SPSS,
counselling sessions, torture cas-
es in Jakarta and torture awareness
in communities in Medan (North
Sumatra).
Prevention
with the Alternative Country Report Jl. Terusan Hang LekirI No.5
Kebayoran Baru
for CAT and hosting focus group Jakarta Selatan - 12220
discussions with police, detention Indonesia
centre officers, the National Hu-
Phone: +62 21 720 3910
man Rights Institution, the House Fax: +62 21 726 1918
of Representatives and the Depart- sotindo@icmc.net
www.icmc.net
ment of Justice and Human Rights.
Established
Networking 2002
ICMC/SOT is a member of the Anti Director(s)
Torture Coalition in Jakarta and net- Kevin Byrne, Regional Director for
works with Amnesty International, South East Asia
Human Rights Watch, The Victoria Contact person(s)
Foundation for Survivors of Torture Bhava Poudyal, Pogram Manager
in Australia, The Medical Center for
Staff
Victims of Torture in London, The 3 clinical psychologists
Minneapolis Center for Victims of 1 psychologist
Torture and the Nepal Center for 1 social worker
1 administrative support
Victims of Torture.
Working language(s)
Funding Bahasa Indonesia, English

mobile clinics and livelihood pro-
grammes.
Training
ICMC/SOT provides training in psy-
chosocial counselling for torture
survivors, somatic psychotherapy,
dance/movement therapy, client
improvement measurement and
data analysis, research methodol-
ogy on documentation and care for
caregivers.
Prevention takes place through ICMC/SOT receives funding from Number of clients treated per year
torture awareness in the commu- USAID and UNVFVT. 2,130 primary, secondary and
other clients
nity (e.g. radio talkshows, sup-
porting NGO networks), especially Future plans
promoting public awareness on the Capacity building of grassroots
Convention Against Torture (CAT). NGOs to provide comprehensive
care to survivors of torture and
Information and advocacy their families.
ICMC/SOT has produced campaign
materials (posters, T-shirts, etc.)
and supported NGOs with com-
memorating 26 June. Other ac-
tivities include torture awareness

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Organisational capacity building;
Psychiatric technical assistance and supervision on
providing psychosocial counseling to
Referrals survivors of torture; networking; providing
Social welfare operational grants to local NGOs; program
Family-based treatment and financial monitoring of local NGOs
receiving the grants; research.
70
Indonesia

Rehabilitation Action for Torture Victims in Aceh (RATA)

The commemoration of the International Community organisation training for the post
Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June conflict community
2008

Primary objective(s)
• Providing medical services and
psychosocial support to pri-
mary and secondary victims of
torture
• Empowering community-based
networks, health profession-
als, government and NGOs
• Training general practitioners
and health professionals in
identifying and treating torture
and trauma
• Raising torture/violence aware-
ness among the Indonesian
public
• Providing livelihood services
for primary and secondary vic-
tims of torture in post conflict
population.
Treatment
Since October 1999 RATA has pro-
vided rehabilitation services for
victims of torture, including those
with mental disorders. During
2007, RATA provided 1,085 clients
with psychosocial and medical
treatment and income generation.
We found that using this method,
victims could recover their men-
tal condition to a level where they
could lead good social lives within
their communities.
RATA has provided training on UN-
CAT, counselling skills, detection
of mental health difficulties for vil-
lage carers, community mobiliza-
tion and organisation, educational
childhood development, financial
management and health policy
analysis.
Research
In collaboration with ICMC South
East Asia and Johns Hopkins Uni-
versity, RATA had conducted re-
search on the effectiveness of its
Counselling Program for Adults in
the Post Conflict Population.
Legal
RATA was involved in the NGO coa-
lition forming the Truth and Recon-
ciliation Commission for Aceh.
Documentation
RATA documents all the data for
the victims or families that have
received services.
Prevention
RATA regularly conducts aware-
ness raising activities for govern-
ance officers, community leaders,
the law apparatus, law practition-
ers, and healthcare providers.
Information and advocacy Contact
RATA has appeared on a radio talk Lorong Damai
Dusun Barat Desa Gelangang
show on torture and conducted Teugoh
public discussions on torture pre- Bireuen
vention issues. Nangroe Aceh Darussalam
Indonesia 24211
Networking Phone : +62 644 324 392
Mobile phone : +62 812 690 5931
RATA collaborates with local NGOs
rata_org@yahoo.com
in Aceh through client referrals,
as well as through joint activi- Established
1999
ties. RATA also collaborates with
government agencies and other Director(s)
INGOs, such as ICMC regarding tor- Junaidi
ture, and ICCO in the Netherlands Contact person(s)
regarding traumatized victims of Junaidi (Director)
the tsunami. Sumaidar (Program Coordinator)
Staff
Funding 2 doctors
Funding comes from ICMC, OAK 3 nurses
27 counsellors
centre grants, Coffey International 1 administrator
Development (AUSAID). 4 social workers
2 finance staff
1 accountant
Future plans 2 volunteers
RATA will expand its psychosocial
Working language(s)
and medical rehabilitation servic-
Acehnese, Bahasa Indonesia,
es area to other post conflict popu- English
lations in Aceh. RATA also plans
Number of clients treated per year
to add more focus on capacity 1085 primary torture victims
building of post conflict communi- 0 secondary torture victims
ties. RATA with other NGOs will en- 0 other clients
courage the government to revise
the law based on the Convention
Against Torture.

Training

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Healthy nutrition for
Psychiatric children and families, income
generation
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

71
Iran
Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV)
11th Session of AMAN Network in Iran
Primary objective(s)
• Prevention of domestic vio-
lence and torture
• Providing psychological treat-
ment to domestic violence and
torture victims
• Strengthening the scientific
knowledge of rehabilitation
experts.
Treatment
The centre provides services to
those that need them (particular-
ly victims of domestic violence),
including psychotherapy, physi-
otherapy, family therapy, psychi-
atric therapy, group therapy and
psychoanalysis (in some cases
where we lack equipment we re-
fer them to a public hospital in
which we have an agreement).
Confidential case files are set up
for all those that are referred to
the centre.
Training
ODVV organises short- and long-
term training courses for experts
as well as university students.
Research
For the purpose of the development
of research and study the ODVV
has published reference books on
the torture ban, women’s rights,
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Referrals to public
Psychiatric hospital for serious cases or
for physiotherapy
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
26 June in Iran
labour rights, juvenile criminal jus-
tice and freedom of expression.
Legal
Six lawyers in the centre provide
needed consultation for those who
refer to the centre. Meanwhile, in
2006 a telephone hotline system
was set up in cooperation with
UNDP. In the near future the centre
will provide online legal advice.
Documentation
About 55 subjects on different is-
sues have been published by the
centre as booklets, as well as the
reports of all workshops and train-
ing courses have been prepared in
CDs. Also ODVV has translated and
published the book “Psychothera-
py with Torture Survivors”.
Prevention
The Rehabilitation Department
conducts activities on prevention
of domestic violence and provides
education workshops for groups
vulnerable to violence and social
damages. Since 1999, the ODVV
has held a series of public meet-
ings, workshops and seminars at-
tended by persons from primary
care centres, community leaders
and the general public.
72
Information and advocacy Contact
The ODVV has published a number 1st & 2nd Floor, No. 1 Mirsarabi
Alley
of books and bulletins in Farsi and North Palestine
English. Some of these include a Keshavarz Blvd.
Valiasr Sq.
monthly bulletin, a “defender’s”
Tehran
newsletter and a human rights fact Iran
sheet. The ODVV commemorates
P.O. Box 16765-911
the UN International Refugee Day,
Tehran
the UN International Day in Sup- Iran
port of Victims of Torture and the
Phone/Fax: +98 21 88 96 30 91;
UN International Day in Support of +98 21 88 95 49 38; +98 21 88 96
Victims of Racial Discrimination. 49 43; +98 21 88 95 49 28
Established
Networking 1999
The ODVV collaborates systemati-
cally with other NGOs under an NGO Director(s)
Alireza Taheri, Head of Board of
umbrella (PNGO). Programmes ODVV Directors; Dr. Leila Behnam,
have also been developed for vari- Director
ous international NGOs and uni-
Contact person(s)
versities. The ODVV also intends Mr. Yadollah Mohammadi; Ms.
to enter into a dialogue with the Fahimeh Okhovat (International
Relations Department)
Government of Iran.
Staff
Funding 1 director
2 secretaries
Funding sources include member-
12 psychologists
ship fees, international aid and 2 psychiatrists
project funding. 1 social worker
6 lawyers
Future plans Working language(s)
Set up an online consultancy sys- Farsi
tem. Number of clients treated per year
2149 primary, secondary and
other clients
Iraq
Bahjat Al Fuad Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (BFRCT)
Primary objective(s)
• Increase awareness amonst
the public
• Enforce nonviolence and demo-
cratic ways of conflict solving
• Lobby to issue non-torturing
laws.
Treatment
The treatment methods include
primary interview with a GP and
psychosocial workers and psy-
chiatrist consultation and psy-
chotherapy programme addopted
by psychiatrist/psychologist. We
also offer rhematologist consul-
tation, psychotheraphy, gyneco-
logical consultation, plastic sur-
gery for ear amputees, prescribe
medication and referal for other
medical specialities if required.
Training
BFRCT provides trainings for
health professionals in a wide
spectrum of fields to raise aware-
ness against torture, to help iden-
tify victims of both primary and
secondary trauma, to develop new
methods of treatments for victims,
to reenforce medical ethics and to
introduce the concept of care for
caregivers for those working in-
side our centre and those working
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
in close collaboration with us as BFRCT sometimes makes prision Contact
well as with trauma survivors. visits and is able to monnitor con- Carpenters Street
Brayhaa city
ditions and speak with prisoners Basra
Research and staff. Iraq
An article about the centre has
Phone: +9647801422452
been published in Torture Journal Information and advocacy Bfrct_irq@yahoo.com;
by the former medical consult- The centre is usually visited by me- drhsn65@yahoo.com
www.bahjatalfuad.org
ant at IRCT doctor Suad Al Saffar, dia, interviews made with the staff
now we are preparing for research about their work with clients and Established
about our work depending on the then published. 2005
database we have in the centre Director(s)
and in collaboration with Basra Networking Dr. Hassan Khalaty Nasif,
University. BFRCT works in close collabora- Executive Director
tion with IRCT and MENA network. Contact person(s)
Documentation It also works closely with the Dr. Hassan Khalaty Nasif,
BFRCT has a system of medico- Iraqy Ministry of Health and Hu- Executive Director
legal documentation; this means man Rights as well as the Basra Staff
that BFRCT documents all cases of Teaching University to begun in- 4 medical doctor
victims that we receive in a proper troducing topics such as human 2 psychiatrists
1 physiotherapists
medical manner, that will be le- rights and clinical psychology to 1 psychologists
gally accepted in courts if the vic- the students cyllabuses. 2 psychotherapists
tim choses to seek legal redress. 3 counsellors
1 lawyer
BFRCT documentation system Funding 1 social workers
also surves the purposes pf moni- DMFA, UNOPS, Olof Palme Centre. 1 secretary
1 accountant
toring the statistics of cases that
1 administration
we receive for informational and 1 IT
research purposes. 2 service worker
1 driver
5 guards
Prevention 20 volunteers
BFRXCT has an integral role in
Working language(s)
training police in human rights is- Arabic and English
sues as well as CAT. It also trains
all prison staff about prisoners Number of clients treated per year
367 primary torture victims
rights while in prison or detention. 217 secondary torture victims
45 other clients
73
Ireland

SPIRASI Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture (CCST)

Staff and volunteers collecting petition signatures on UN South African Ambassador to Ireland, Priscilla
Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 2008 Jana, lights a candle for survivors of torture

Primary objective(s)
• To rehabilitate survivors of tor-
ture living in Ireland and to pro-
mote their recovery so that they
can eventually integrate as ac-
tive members of Irish society
• To complement the care provid-
ed by other statutory and non-
statutory services rather than
to duplicate existing services
• To meet the needs of each cli-
ent through assessment and
appropriate treatment deci-
sions.
Treatment
The CCST at SPIRASI provides free
multi-disciplinary and holistic
health care to survivors of torture:
medical assessments, medico-le-
gal reports, cross-cultural coun-
selling/psychotherapy, psychoso-
cial and integration support, art
psychotherapy, complementary
therapies (reflexology, Chinese
massage, mindfulness, etc.), group
psychotherapy, support groups
and outreach support.
Training
The CCST provides training to oth-
er health professionals on issues
such as understanding cultural
differences; dealing with trauma,
grief, loss and bereavement; and
helping clients to cope with the
stress of living in direct provision.
Legal
CCST physicians produce medico-
legal reports in accordance with
the Istanbul Protocol guidelines,
which are used in clients’ asylum
applications. A pilot legal clinic
service was completed in 2007;
it is being considered whether
such a service is best delivered by
SPIRASI or outsourced to a partner
organisation.
Documentation
Records are kept of the services
provided to clients in a database
and statistical analysis is carried
out at the end of each year.
Prevention
Providing medico-legal reports
helps prevent clients from being
returned to their country of origin
where there is a likelihood of them
being tortured again.
Information and advocacy
Each year, 26 June is marked with
a special event. Information about
the centre is regularly published
online, as is a quarterly newslet-
ter. When funding allows, a public
awareness officer educates stu-
dents about refuge seekers in Ire-
land and the trauma and persecu-
tion they flee from.
Networking
The CCST liaises with the Irish
health services provider; the Of-
fice of the Refugee Applications
Commissioner for Ireland; the Irish
Reception and Integration Agency;
the Refugee Legal Service; UNHCR
in Ireland; and other charities/
NGOs. The CCST at SPIRASI is a
member of the European Network
of Rehabilitation Centres for Survi-
vors of Torture.
Funding
In the past, the CCST received fund-
ing from the EC. Currently the pri-
mary source of funds is the Health
Services Executive. Other sources
include the UNVFVT, the Family
Support Agency (for bereavement
counselling) and the World Mercy
Fund.
Future plans
The CCST is based in Dublin. It plans
to open clinics in other urban cen-
tres in Ireland so that torture care
services can be more effectively
provided to clients and in conjunc-
tion with other local services.
Contact
213 North Circular Road
Phibsboro
Dublin 7
Ireland
Phone: +353 1 838 9664
ccstmanager@spirasi.ie
www.spirasi.ie/torture
Established
2001
Director(s)
Michael Begley
Contact person(s)
Maura Connolly, CCST Manager
Staff
7 staff (5 full-time, 2 part-time)
who co-ordinate service
delivery and handle admini/
strative work
19 session staff (half are physi
cians; half provide a range of
therapies)
many outreach volunteers
Working language(s)
English (interpreters are used for
all other languages)
Number of clients treated per year
900 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
0 other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: computer training
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

74
Italy
NAGA - HAR Centre for Refugees and Torture Victims
Staff of NAGA-HAR. Dr Siena, director, is at the top
left corner of the table
Primary objective(s)
• Welcome asylum seekers and
direct them to existing public
resources and other organisa-
tions in Italy
• Provide medical assistance (pri-
mary care and psychiatric help)
to torture victims and refugees
• Give legal and administrative
support to asylum seekers in
obtaining political asylum
• Promote the social rehabilita-
tion for torture survivors
• Raise public awareness on is-
sues related to refugee rights
and torture practices.
Treatment
Between 2001 and 2007, NAGA-HAR
welcomed more than 2,000 asylum
seekers and torture victims. About
90% of them were men. Recent
countries of origin include Eritrea,
Nigeria, Turkish Kurdistan, Bang-
ladesh and Togo. HAR Centre staff
provide medical and psychological
help and legal and administrative
support. Several activities are con-
ducted to increase the socialising
capabilities of torture victims and
their recovery of self-esteem and
confidence in people.
Training
Numerous courses have been held
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
throughout Italy to educate psycho-
social operators dealing with asy-
lum seekers and torture victims.
Legal
The NAGA-HAR Centre offers free
legal counselling to all torture
victims who require it. The serv-
ice is ensured by two lawyers and
is available five days a week; it is
extremely important to provide an
almost daily legal service since in
certain cases the deadline for ap-
peals can be as short as 15 days.
The service can be provided also on
Saturday in order to make it avail-
able to working people.
Documentation
Files are maintained on the social
and political conditions in asylum
seekers’ countries of origin. Docu-
mentation is also kept regarding
Italian legislation on refugees and
immigrants.
Information and advocacy
Several publications were written
by staff on various issues related
to asylum seekers and torture vic-
tims, including “Silenziose storie.
Percorsi con i richiedenti asilo e vit-
time di tortura” by F. Moiraghi and
“Rifugiati in Italia: la protezione
negata, Primo rapporto sul diritto
75
di asilo in Italia”, ICS (Consorzio Contact
Italiano Solidarietà). The Director Via Grigna 24
20155 Milano
regularly participates in national Italy
and international conferences.
Phone: +39 02 392 5466
Every year NAGA-HAR celebrates
Fax: +39 02 392 5466
the UN International Day in Support naga.har@fastwebnet.it; italo.
of Victims of Torture on 26 June. siena@tin.it; alessandro.finzi@
fastwebnet.it
www.naga.it
Networking
NAGA-HAR is a member of the Ital- Established
2001
ian Network for Rehabilitation of
Victims of Torture (sponsored by Director(s)
the EU) and CCVT-EL (Coalition des Italo Siena
Centres pour Victimes de Torture Contact person(s)
– Europe Latine). NAGA-HAR has Italo Siena, Alessandro Finzi
joined the Network of European Contini
Treatment and Rehabilitation Cen- Staff
tres for Victims of Torture and Hu- 1 general doctor
man Rights Violations. 1 psychiatrist
2 psychologists
2 lawyers
Funding 1 centre manager
1 activities coordinator
The centre’s main sources of fund-
1 secretary
ing are private foundations and the 35 welcome staff
UNVFVT. 1 art therapist
1 music therapist
1 PC teacher
Future plans 5 Italian language and culture
Lately there has been a dramatic teachers
increase in the number of clients. Working language(s)
NAGA-HAR’s aim now is to cope Italian, English, French
with the large number of torture
Number of clients treated per year
victims, while still providing them 82 primary torture victims
the best quality therapy and reha- 0 secondary victims
bilitation support. 0 other clients
Italy
VI.TO – Hospitality and Care for Victims of Torture,
Italian Council for Refugees (CIR)
Members of theatre group on 26 June 2008
Primary objective(s)
• The early identification of tor-
ture survivors
• Providing adequate care, avoid-
ing re-traumatization
• Providing medical, psychologi-
cal, legal and social assistance
• Awarenessraising, mainstream-
ing and training.
Treatment
Since 2002 Vi.To. developed a
close cooperation with the “Am-
bulatorio for the Study and Treat-
ment of Post Traumatic Syndrome”
of San Giovanni Hospital. Support
therapies, analytic therapies and
pharmacological therapies are
provided both at the hospital and
by external consultants. A crucial
aspect of the project is the promo-
tion of Psychosocial Rehabilita-
tion Workshops (PSRWs). Special
emphasis is given to the theatre
workshop experience. All gynae-
cological examinations are carried
out by “Artemide” Centre, a private
Association which adopts a gender
approach with particular attention
to women’s diseases and where
only women medical staff are in-
volved.
Training
Training is one of the core activities
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Training courses, psycho-
Psychiatric social rehabilitation workshop,
work orientation
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Vi.To. staff and beneficiaries on 26 June 2008
of the project. Training courses are
offered at many levels and to differ-
ent audiences, including medical,
psychological, legal and social
staff of other organisations work-
ing with refugees, National Health
Service staff at various levels and
members of Eligibility Commis-
sions.
Research
Research focuses on torture se-
quelae and treatment verifying
at the clinical level, and evidence
from numerous studies in neuro-
biological and experimental fields.
The research investigates psycho-
pathological disturbances and psy-
chosomatic pathologies connected
with torture, including their devel-
opment and response to therapeu-
tic interventions.
Legal
Legal protection and orientation
is provided throughout the pro-
cedure, and in case of appeals
against status denials.
Prevention
Our main commitment is rehabilita-
tion, yet we support public aware-
ness campaigns on torture issues,
and we always organise campaign
events on 26 June.
76
Information and advocacy Contact
Via del Velabro 5/a
CIR is responsible for a website
00186 Rome
created for Eligibility Commis- Italy
sions about the political situation
Phone: +39 06 69 200 114
and the impact of torture in the
Mobile: +39 33 32 893 435 (Fiore-
countries of origin. A collection of lla Rathaus)
relevant documentation is made Fax: +39 06 69 200 116
progettvito@cir-onlus.org
available for consultation on the www.cir-onlus.org
CIR premises in Rome.
Established
1996
Networking
At a national level, Vi.To. cooper- Director(s)
ates with public services in charge Christopher Hein, Director; Fiore-
lla Rathaus, Project Manager
of health care in the area, i.e. the
ASL (local Health Units). It also Contact persons
maintains contacts and informa- Fiorella Rathaus, Project Man-
ager; Elisabetta Tuccinardi, Focal
tion exchanges with organisations Point
working with torture survivors and
Staff
with UNHCR.
1 general coordinator
1 project manager
Funding 1 focal point
2 psychologists
VI.To. had benefited from EU con-
1 legal operator
tribution from 1996 to July 2008. 2 social operators
The project is presently supported 1 vocational operator
5 trainers
by UNVFVT and some private foun- 1 informatics research operator
dations. 1 accountant
6 cultural mediators
San Giovanni Hospital medical
staff
Working language(s)
Italian, English, French
Number of clients treated per year
98 primary torture victims
26 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Kenya
Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU)
IMLU staff members
Primary objective(s)
• Documentation and rehabilita-
tion of torture victims in Kenya
• Psychological treatment of tor-
ture survivors
• Seeking redress of torture cas-
es in Kenya
• Advocacy against torture in
Kenya
• Research of torture prevalence
in Kenya.
Treatment
Torture survivors undergo intake
procedures as per IMLU’s case
management protocol. This is fol-
lowed by a physical and psycho-
logical examination by the doctor
and psychiatrist/counselling psy-
chologist. After the documentation
comprehensive medical treatment
is provided. Where indicated the
client is referred to specialized in/
outpatient care. Further sessions
evaluate progress and the need for
psychological therapy (minimum 6
sessions). A report of medical and
psychological findings is compiled
at the end of each client’s rehabili-
tation. For the deceased, post-mor-
tems are conducted via the IMLU
pathologists network to provide
forensic evidence to support legal
redress initiatives.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
IMLU staff members in a workshop
Training
IMLU conducts capacity building
on torture and human rights target-
ing health care practitioners, law-
yers, counselors, journalists, civil
society, paralegals and students.
In 2007 the Law Society of Kenya
accredited IMLU as an authorised
provider of Continuing Legal Edu-
cation.
Research
IMLU materials have been utilised
by postgraduate students and fo-
rensic pathologists to produce rel-
evant papers.
Legal
IMLU provides legal advice to all
clients based on forensic medical
evidence available, co-ordinating
representation of clients in court by
lawyers in the IMLU legal network
and referrals to relevant organisa-
tions for further assistance such as
the Kenya National Commission on
Human Rights.
Documentation
IMLU continues to document all
cases of torture using the Istanbul
Protocol.
Prevention
IMLU has conducted trainings for
77
police and prison officers, and vis- Contact
its to prisons and police cells when Independent Medico-Legal Unit
David Osieli Rd, Off Old Waiyaki
persons have been held longer than Way, Westlands
the required statutory period. P.O. Box 1271 - 0606
Sarit Centre
Nairobi
Information and advocacy Kenya
IMLU advocates for a torture free
Tel: +254 44 50 598
society, providing commentary
Fax: +254 020 44 45 755
to local and international media. Email: medico@imlu.org
IMLU has produced materials to www.imlu.org
empower the public to know their Established
rights and advocate for these in the 1995
community.
Director(s)
Moses Njenga Chege, Kakai
Networking Kissinger, Dr Ling Kituyi, Pheroze
IMLU is a member of Kenyans for Nowrojee, Dr Muhamud Said,
Pravin Bowry, Father Gabriel
Peace Truth and Justice network, Dolan
formed after the post-election vio-
lence; the IRCT; and the World Or- Contact person(s)
Mr. Samwel Mohochi, Executive
ganization Against Torture. IMLU Director
also features in other local and
Staff
international networks that cham-
2 lawyers
pion human rights. 1 doctor
1 research
2 accountants
Funding 1 pyschologist
Donors include the European Com- 2 social workers
mission, Norwegian Embassy, Roy- 1 journalist
1 secretary
al Netherlands Embassy, Open So-
ciety Initiative, KIOS, UNVFVT and Working language(s)
Amnesty International–Germany. English and Kiswahili
Number of clients treated per year
Future plans 300 primary torture victims
To start up an endowment fund. 200 secondary torture victims
100 other clients
Kenya
Mwatikho Torture Survivors Organization (MATESO)
MATESO directors
Primary objective(s)
• Improve the health status of tor-
ture survivors and their families
through the provision of integral
treatment and, where necessary,
referrals
• Raise awareness of mental
health issues and contribute
to the prevention of torture in
Kenya
• Seek reparations for torture
survivors by strengthening liti-
gation activities for survivors to
get justice
• Generate information about tor-
ture through research, monitor-
ing, documentation and inspec-
tion visits to detention camps
and prisons.
Treatment
MATESO’s treatment programme in-
cludes: psychotherapy, physiother-
apy and somatic treatment. Treat-
ment of psychological conditions
directly relates to traumatization.
The multi-disciplinary treatment of
torture survivors must run parallel
with other services, including nurs-
ing and social counselling.
Training
Since 2001, with the support of UN-
VFVT, we conducted over 50 work-
shops, two conferences, debrief-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy
Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Torture survivors screening and treatment
ing sessions and public meetings.
MATESO has trained staff, health
professionals and social workers on
the Istanbul Protocol, relationship
skills, counselling and traumatized
client handling.
Research
Research has been carried out on
reparations for victims of torture in
Kenya, bringing the international
prohibition of torture home, post-
election violence, and the atrocities
committed in Mt. Elgon.
Documentation
MATESO carries out routine statisti-
cal registration of reported cases of
torture and our treatment activities.
Data are synthesised, analysed and
stored in reports, memos and ques-
tionnaires. We maintain a small li-
brary of books, files, articles and
newspaper clippings.
Prevention
Since 1997, MATESO has been in-
volved in a series of lobbying activi-
ties and has engaged in campaigns
and advocacy against torture using
public processions, meetings, thea-
tre, workshops and seminars.
Information and advocacy
MATESO has been featured in news-
78
papers and on radio stations and
written reports violence against
women and children.
Networking
Locally we have been/are working in
collaboration with: Catholic Peace
and Justice Commission, Peace-Net
Kenya, Release Political Prisoners,
People Against Torture, Independ-
ent Medico Legal Unit, Kenya Medi-
cal Association and Health Partners.
Health professionals were sent to
us from Moi Teaching and Referrals
Hospital-Eldoret and from United
States International University and
Health Partners-Kenya.
Funding
Funding sources include member-
ship, local/individual donors, IRCT
and other donors, i.e. OSIEA, HRW,
Frontline-Amnesty Uganda Chap-
ter.
Future plans
MATESO intends to offer activities
in other parts of Kenya, establish
mobile clinical centres, start a
publication entitled Survivors after
Trauma in Africa and begin a litiga-
tion fund and other socio-economic
programmes that will benefit the
torture survivors.
Contact
Kitinda Factory Road
opposite Ministry of Works offices
150 metres from Bungoma Post
offices
P.O. Box 2269-50200
Bungoma
Kenya
Phone: +254 733 862 688
Fax: +254 55 30248
mahteso@yahoo.com
Established
1997
Director(s)
Dr. Peter Wilbur Marumbu, Direc-
tor; Kraido Majune, Lawyer; Taiga
Wanyanja, Coordinator; Samuel
Ngeti, Chairman; Francis Namay-
engo, Treasurer; George Walukhu
and Mrs. Alice Wanjusi.
Contact person(s)
Taiga Wanyanja; Dr. Peter Wilbur
Marumbu
Staff
1 centre director (treatment and
counselling)
1 psychologist (part-time)
1 psychiatrist (part-time)
1 head nurse
1 clinical officer - paediatrics
1 counsellor
1 coordinator/centre admini-
strator
1 accountant
1 social worker/advocacy officer
(gender)
1 monitor
1 monitor - gender aspect
Working language(s)
English, Kiswahili, local languag-
es: Bukusu, Saboat, Kikiyu, Teso
Number of clients treated per year
1650 primary torture victims
1550 secondary torture victims
200 other clients
Kosovo
Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT)
KRCT Staff
Primary objective(s)
• Improving the overall social and
psychological functioning of
torture and trauma victims and
their families in the most affect-
ed areas of Kosovo
• Building capacities of health
system, psychology students
and NGOs to manage trauma
and torture
• Advocating for the prevention of
torture and promotion of human
rights, including lobbying for
legislation to protect the rights
of victims
• Torture prevention training for
the general public, political de-
cision-makers and Kosovo Police
Service and through detention
monitoring.
Treatment
KRCT offers multidisciplinary serv-
ices to traumatized and tortured cli-
ents through rehabilitation in three
spheres: psychological-psychiatric,
physical and socio-legal. Treatment
is offered in centres that are inte-
grated within family medicine cen-
tres in the cities where KRCT is ac-
tive (Prishtina, Podujevo, Gllogovc,
Skenderaj, Suhareka, Decani, Klina
and Shtimje).
Training
Through training KRCT shares best
practices and raises awareness on
torture consequences and rehabili-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Activity with children
tation with relevant stakeholders to
strengthen the capacities of the pri-
mary health sector, social workers,
NGOs, police services, etc. KRCT
also trains its staff on management
and psychosocial intervention.
Research
The research sector systematically
acquires and develops tools and
methods that reflect international
standards.
Legal
The Legal Adviser supports KRCT’s
clients with legal advice on social
aid, pensions and employment.
Documentation
Research and documentation of tor-
ture and trauma experiences from
KRCT’s clients, the media and other
sources are an important aspect of
rehabilitation and are used to im-
prove the quality of services and to
remind society about torture’s con-
sequences.
Prevention
Prevention of torture and promotion
of human rights, including lobbying
for legislation to protect victims’
rights, is a continuous effort. KRCT
launched an activity monitoring the
implementation of international
standards and national law in Ko-
sovo’s detention centres and pris-
ons.
79
Information and advocacy Contact
Through conferences, seminars, Bregu i Diellit 2
Bedri Shala 53/A
media campaigns, commemoration 10000 Prishtina
of 26 June, advocacy for CAT and OP- Republic of Kosovo
CAT ratification, KRCT aims to raise
Phone: +381 38 243 707; +381 38
the public’s awareness on torture 243 708
rehabilitation and prevention. Fax: +381 38 243 707
krct_org@yahoo.com; info@
krct.org
Networking www.krct.org
KRCT maintains links with CVT, the
Established
Balkan Network, the South East Eu- 1999
ropean Refugee Assistance Network
and the OSCE. Director(s)
Feride Rushiti, MD, Executive
Director
Funding
KRCT receives funds from ECHO, Contact persons
Feride Rushiti, Executive Director;
RCT/DANIDA, the EC/Europe Aid Sebahate Pacolli, Head of Reha-
Co-operation Office, CORDAID- bilitation Sector
Netherlands; UNVFVT, Danish Refu-
Staff
gee Council; CVT/USAID; Ministry of 1 executive director
Labour and Social Welfare/Kosovo; 4 heads of sector
3 psychiatrists
SEE-RAN, the Swedish Helsinki
2 medical doctor
Committee, Antares Foundation, 1 psychologist
Post Telecom Kosovo and local busi- 1 social worker
2 legal advisors
nessmen.
1 accountant
2 administrative assistants
Future plans 2 drivers
KRCT aims to inform and educate Working language(s)
the state, NGOs and civil society Albanian, English, Serbian
on torture consequences and best
Number of clients treated per year
practices related to the care and 480 primary torture victims
rehabilitation of torture victims and 0 secondary torture victims
victims of war, defence and promo- 49 other clients
tion of victims’ rights, and preven-
tion of torture.
Lebanon

Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (KRC)

Primary objective(s)
• Document cases of the survi-
vors of the prisons and their
conditions
• Establish centres for treatment
and social rehabilitation and
vocational training
• Organise conferences about
torture, rehabilitation and de-
fending human rights
• Edit documents and books
about the psychological and
social effects of torture
• Organise reintegration activi-
ties for victims of torture and
follow up on families of the dis-
appeared.
Treatment
Treatment occurs in both victims’
home and in centres. Medical
treatment includes: clinical exami-
nation and consultation, lab tests
and simple surgical operations or
hospital admittance if needed, with
follow-up. Psychological treatment
includes a range of meetings, dis-
cussion groups, and encouraging
participating in activities such as
sports, entertainment, tea parties,
training courses, art, etc.
Training
KRC organises training sessions
on empowering activists working
against torture, listening tech-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Rehabilitation for victims
Psychiatric of violence and torture as well
as their families physically,
Referrals psychologically, financially and
Social welfare socially.
Family-based treatment
niques, monitoring and documen-
tation and economic empowerment
of survivors.
Research
We participate in surveys, assess-
ments and questionnaires such
as Baseline Survey about Psycho-
Social/ Mental Health Care by the
Arab Resource Collective and Eval-
uating Corporate Strategy by The
Non-Profit Sector in Lebanon.
Documentation
The KRC has a library of documents
about rehabilitation, torture, law,
human rights conventions, as well
as on all KRC clients, reported cas-
es, testimonies, conferences and
reports on arbitrary disappearanc-
es and discrimination, etc.
Prevention
KRC marks June 26 the UN Interna-
tional Day in Support of Victims of
Torture and December 10, the Inter-
national Day for Human Rights. KRC
has organised workshops on the
UN Convention against Torture, its
Optional Protocol and held a school
contest “Draw Your Rights”.
Information and advocacy
KRC publishes books, reports and
press releases and its activities are
featured in a variety of media out-
lets. KRC advocates in internation- Contact
al forums such as at the UN High Cornishe Al-Mazraa
Behind Gallery Chour
Commission for Human Rights and Zreik Center Bldg. - 3rd & 5th floor
International Symposium against P.O. Box: 14-5843
Torture. Beirut
Lebanon
Networking Phone: +961 1 302 631
Mobile: +961 3 379 612
KRC holds the Secretariat post for
Fax: +961 1 701 692
the AMAN Network. KRC is also a krc@khiamcenter.org; khiam_
member of SOS TORTURE and the center@hotmail.com
www.khiamcenter.org
Lebanese Coalition for the Interna-
tional Criminal Court. Established
1999
Funding Director(s)
Funding comes from the UNVFVT, Mohammed Safa
OAK Foundation, Canadian Em-
Contact person(s)
bassy in Beirut, Council for De- Mohammed Safa, Secretary
velopment & Reconstruction and General/Center Director; Ghina
local fundraising. In addition, KRC Nahfawi, Project Assistant – Inter-
net & Media Unit Coordinator
is implementing the Medical, So-
cial & Psychological Assistance for Staff
Victims of Torture Project funded by 3 medical doctors
1 psychiatrist
the EIDHR. 1 psychologist
5 social workers
1 accountant
Future plans
2 secretaries
Plans include organising an inter- 1 administration
national conference against tor- 1 media/public relations
1 project manager
ture; establishing an Arab Network 1 project assistant
Against Torture, Arab Organisation 50 volunteers (unpaid)
for Defending Detainees, Arab Con- We have a network of different
specialists: translators, lawyers,
vention Against Torture and Leba- doctors, lab workers, counsel-
nese Center for Human Rights; and lors, etc.
pressuring Arab Governments to
Working language(s)
sign CAT, OPCAT and the Interna- Arabic, English
tional Criminal Court Protocol.
Number of clients treated per year
351 primary torture victims
871 secondary torture victims
0 other clients

80
Lebanon
Restart Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture
Restart team with lawyers and health profession- The director, the psychotherapist and the psy-
als and internal security forces holding a BA in law, chologist of Restart center during the training of
November 2007
Primary objective(s)
• Providing free rehabilitation
services to torture survivors
and their family members
• Building the professional ca-
pacity of service providers in
relation to rehabilitation of sur-
vivors
• Upgrading the social integra-
tion of torture survivors
• Creating a central source of in-
formation and statistics on tor-
ture survivors in Lebanon
• Establishing networks/col-
laboration for lobbying pur-
poses and training to prison
officials.
Treatment
Restart Center provides rehabilita-
tion to torture survivors from all
over Lebanon using an interdisci-
plinary approach. Restart address
survivors’ physical, psychological,
social and legal needs through
psychotherapy, including psychi-
atric services; physical and medi-
cal services; physiotherapy; social
counselling and reintegration;
legal assistance; and monitoring
and follow-up activities.
Training
Restart provides training to physi-
cal and mental health profession-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy
Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
the officials held in Kalamoun, Lebanon, April 2008
als and to lawyers and human survivors are seeking the services Contact
rights activists. of Restart and more volunteers are Boulevard El Saraya
Fattal Tower
Modules are developed in a com- expressing their interest in partici- 7th floor
prehensive way while focusing on pating in activities conducted by P.O. Box 3014
all necessary aspects leading to Restart for torture survivors. Tripoli, Lebanon
effective legal and social interven- Phone: +961 6 410 577
tions. Networking Fax: +961 6 410 577
suzijab@hotmail.com; sana-
The main activity achieved is a
ham@hotmail.com
Documentation working group for torture preven-
In view of the lack of information on tion (WGTP) that lobbies for torture 2nd floor, Audi Bank Building
(Ghattas)
torture victims in Lebanon, Restart issues. Badaro Street
initiated a process of documenta- Beirut, Lebanon
tion about torture issues and vic- Funding
Phone: +961 1 385 358
tims. A documentation unit was Funding comes from the EC, Afkar Fax: +961 1 385 358
established at the centre whereby II-Omsar (Office of the Minister of
a database will be created and State for Administrative Reform), Established
1996
made available to all concerned UNHCR, UNVFVT, OAK, the IRCT
stakeholders. This database will and local donors. Director(s)
help to establish a structured and Suzanne Jabbour
operational system of referral and Contact person(s)
follow-up of torture survivors and Suzanne Jabbour; Sana Hamzeh
concerned family members to qual-
Staff
ity services. Restart also relies on 1 director/clinical psychologist
rehabilitation organisations and 1 psychotherapist
2 psychiatrists
service providers to provide the
1 neurologist
unit with relevant data and infor- 1 psychologist
mation. 1 physiotherapist
5 social workers
1 special educator
Information and advocacy 1 system developer
Each year Restart conducts a 1 translator
2 administrative staff
number of awareness and lobbying 1 orthopaedist
activities including TV interviews, 2 legal advisors
seminars, workshops and develop- 1 psychomotor therapist
1 speech therapist
ment of posters and brochures. As a 1 accountant
result of these activities, additional
Working language(s)
English
Number of clients treated per year
600 primary torture victims
300 secondary torture victims
75 other clients
81
Liberia
Prisoners Assistance Program Torture Victims’
Rehabilitation Center (PAP)
Primary objective(s)
• To restore the dignity of the hu-
man person
• To perform as the anti-torture
and victims’ rehabilitation pro-
gram of PAP
• To provide direct and/or indi-
rect mental health treatment
to victims of torture, their fami-
lies and communities.
Treatment
PAP cares for about 50 primary and
over 200 secondary clients yearly,
who are survivors of the Liberian
civil war and aggressive human
rights violations, including torture.
PAP services are on an out-patient
basis and is organized to meet
the needs of clients. The treat-
ment services that PAP provide are
trauma healing, social therapy,
psychosocial and assistance for
referrals in securing medical and
indepth mental health treatment.
Treatment usually go from four
to twelve months. PAP clients are
mostly males (up to 80%) between
the ages of 11 and 61 years. All
PAP’s clients are Liberians, who
are suffering the effects some com-
mon forms of torture.
Research
In 2004, PAP conducted a program
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
survey and assessment to identify
the relevance and need for the tor-
ture victims’ program.
Documentation
PAP monitors cases of torture at
prisons, detention centers and
communities. All clients informa-
tion are documented at the center.
The documentation system and
processing at PAP’s centers take
into consideration confidentiality
of clients’ information.
Prevention
PAP is involved with regular moni-
toring visits to places of detention
around the country. In the preven-
tion of torture in Liberia, PAP lob-
bied for the ratification of the UN
Convention Against Torture (UN-
CAT) and its Optional Protocol (OP-
CAT) in 2004 by the Government of
Liberia. PAP is currently working
on demesticating the UNCAT and
its OPCAT.
Information and advocacy
PAP joins national and interna-
tional campaigns in lobbying with
Governments to stamp out torture.
PAP is a regular and annual cam-
paigner with other organizations
around the world on 26 June for the
UN International Day in Support of
82
Victims of Torture, spearheaded by Contact
the IRCT. P. O. Box 5705
Monrovia
Liberia
Networking
PAP is a founding member of sev- 1st Floor
Apt. 1
eral networks and coalitons in Li- Eid Building
beria. PAP is a member of the Coal- Benson Street
Monrovia
tion of Human Rights Defenders of
Liberia
Liberia, National Coaltion of Civil
Society Organizations of Liberia, Phone: +231 0 77524956; +231
06524956; +231 05833542; +231
etc. PAP is in collaboration with 06524958
IRCT. PAP is working with Liberia’s papliberia@yahoo.com;
Ministry of Health and Social Wel- rgeegbe@yahoo.com
www.pap.kabissa.org
fare, the Medical and Nursing As-
sociations in Liberia. Established
2004
Funding Director(s)
Norwegian Human Rights Fund R. Jarwlee Tweh Geegbe, Execu-
(NHRF), National Endowment for tive Director, PAP
Democracy (NED), Open Society Contact person(s)
Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), R. Jarwlee Tweh Geegbe,
United Nations Development Pro- Executive Director and Daniel D.
Valentine, Director of Community
gramme (UNDP), Global Fund for Empowerment & Torture Rehabili-
Children (GFC), and Fund for Global tation, PAP
Human Rights (FGHR).
Staff
24 counsellors
Future plans 2 social workers
1 secretary
Improve services and care for 1 documentation officer
more clients; orgainze trainings 2 psychosocial agent
for health care providers, prison 1 media relations officer
20 volunteers
and police officers, etc.; cultivate
partnership with other treatment Working language(s)
centers in Africa and the world; and English
improve staff capacities. Number of clients treated per year
20 primary torture victims
100 secondary torture victims
123 other clients
Mexico

Collective against Torture and Impunity (CCTI)

Working groups during the training workshop “Documentation of torture” Community workshop in Guerrero - “CCTI
for health professionals, University of Acapulco, Guerrero, June 2005 for Human Dignity”

Primary objective(s)
• Medical, psychological and le-
gal assistance for survivors of
torture and their families
• Psychosocial assistance for
communities affected by tor-
ture and political violence
• Documentation, denunciation
and follow-up or torture cases
• Training for health and human
rights professionals and com-
munity workers
• Research about torture and its
impact.
Treatment
CCTI has provided medical and psy-
chological assistance to an average
of 100 clients per year. Different
psychological treatment methods,
depending on the clients’ needs and
the specific settings, are used. The
staff offers individual and group
psychotherapy (psychoanalytic,
behavioural, Gestalt) and family
based treatment. In prison a group
approach (with some individual
assistance) is adopted. In commu-
nities the approach is psycho-edu-
cational, including some cases of
individual and family based crisis
intervention.
Training
Training is offered for health pro-
fessionals, lawyers, human rights
activists (detection and documen-
tation of torture, treatment for tor-
ture survivors) and communities
affected by torture (torture and its
impact, strategies for prevention,
confronting the impacts of torture).
CCTI has designed and implement-
ed the university diploma course
“Documentation and Investigation
of Torture”.
Research
Research projects have been con-
ducted about the practice of torture
in Mexico and its impact on survi-
vors and their frame of reference
and the impact of psychotherapy
on survivors.
Documentation
CCTI performs medical and psycho-
logical documentation of individual
cases, monitoring of reported cas-
es of torture, information services
and elaborates expert reports (us-
ing the Istanbul Protocol) to prove
acts of torture.
Prevention
CCTI provides training for health
professionals on the documenta-
tion of torture. Training materials
for different levels of training have
been developed.
Information and advocacy Contact
Contact
Activities include reports on tor-
Pitágoras 1210-16
ture cases, publications on issues Col. Del Valle
related to torture, participation 03100 México DF
Mexico
in conferences, seminars, cam-
paigns, lobbying (Istanbul Proto- Phone: +52 55 56 04 56 42
col, Facultative Protocol, 26 June), Fax: +52 55 56 04 56 42
colectivo@contralatortura.org
public presence in media. www.contralatortura.org
Networking Calle Campeche 120 depto. 201
Col. Progreso
CCTI is a member of the Latin-Amer- 39550 Acapulco, Guerrero
ican Network (Red Salud DH). It has Mexico
collaboration agreements with
Phone: +52 744 485 6088
universities in the capital and the ccti_gro@yahoo.com.mx
state of Guerrero and with medical
associations. Established
2004
Funding Director(s)
Dr. Javier Enríquez Sam
CCTI receives funding from UN-
VFVT, OAK Foundation, EU Com- Contact person(s)
mission, Medico International Dr. Javier Enríquez Sam, Technical
Coordinator; Dr. Raymundo Díaz
Schweiz, Evangelischer Entwick-
Taboada, Coordinator (Guerrero)
lungsdienst (EED).
Staff
3 medical doctors
Future plans 2 psychiatrists
Strengthen the legal services for 4 psychologists/psychothera-
our clients and improve our serv- pists
1 legal counsellor
ices for women who have suffered 1 accountant
sexual torture. 1 secretary
Working language(s)
Spanish, English
Number of clients treated per year
80 primary torture victims
20 secondary torture victims
0 other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Psychosocial assistance
Psychiatric for communities affected by
torture; medical/psychological
Referrals reports (Istanbul Protocol) to
Social welfare prove acts of torture
Family-based treatment

83
Moldova (Republic of)
Medical Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims
– “Memoria” (RCTV “Memoria”)
RCTV “Memoria” team
Primary objective(s)
• Provide continuous rehabilita-
tion services to victims of tor-
ture
• Improve the health status and
the life quality of the clients as-
sisted
• Strengthen institutional capac-
ity and sustainability of RCTV
“Memoria”
• Contribute efficiently to torture
prevention in the Republic of
Moldova
• Collaborate with similar centres
and persons involved in the re-
habilitation of torture survivors.
Treatment
RCTV “Memoria” provides reha-
bilitation to tortured former po-
litical prisoners and their families;
tortured refugees/asylum seek-
ers and their families; and recent
native victims and their families.
Assistance includes medical con-
sultation and treatment of physi-
cal and psychological pathologies
related to torture using different
types of therapy, counseling and
psychotherapy (individual, family,
group).
Training
Training focuses on our team; stu-
dents and medical, legal, social
professionals dealing with our ben-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
eficiaries; and decision-makers in-
volved in torture-related issues.
Research
RCTV “Memoria” seeks interested
research partners from rehabilita-
tion centres abroad. Topics could
include: multi-aspect treatment
of PTSD, epidemiology of torture,
PTSD and cardiac pathology, conse-
quences of torture on 2nd genera-
tions and burn-out syndrome.
Legal
Legal assistance is focused on ben-
eficiaries, the organisation, other
institutions and lawyers. The centre
was involved in a case at the Eu-
ropean Court for Human Rights in
2007 resulting in condemnation of
the government’s failure to prevent
torture and awards to the victim.
Documentation
We have a library with books and an
archive with photo, audio and video
materials. We also have a data bank
with medical, psychological and le-
gal documents and a Client Moni-
toring Program maintained by our
documentalist.
Prevention
RCTV “Memoria” hosts events in
Moldova on 26 June and spreads
leaflets, activity reports, etc.
84
through press conferences, meet- Contact
ings, talk shows, Open House Day, 26/2 Frumoasa str.
Chisinau, MD-2009
roundtables and other events. Republic of Moldova
Information and advocacy Phone: +373 22 28 73 49
Mobile: +373 79 50 48 09
Journalists are informed about vic- Fax: +373 22 28 73 49
tims’ problems and issues related memoria@mdl.net; milapopo-
vici@yahoo.com
to torture in Moldova. Our benefi-
www.memoria.md
ciaries are encouraged to publish
their memoirs: e.g. the 2005 book Established
1999
“Shattered destinies”. In 2007,
with other NGOs, our team mem- Director(s)
bers contributed to the creation Ludmila Popovici, Executive
Director
and implementation of the National
Preventive Mechanism (according Contact person(s)
to OPCAT). Ludmila Popovici, Executive
Director
Networking Staff
RCTV “Memoria” is a member of 1 medical director
2 general practitioners
the Medico-Social Alliance from 1 cardiologist
Moldova, Moldovan Network of the 1 psychotherapist
NGOs active in the Social Field and 1 psychologist
1 legal councillor
European Network of Centres and 2 social workers
Rehabilitation Programs for Torture 1 project assistant
1 administrator
Victims.
1 accountant
1 documentalist
Funding 1 housekeeper
RCTV “Memoria” received funding
Working language(s)
from the EU, UNVFVT, OAK Founda- Romanian, Russian, English,
tion, IRCT, AI London and others. French
Number of clients treated
Future plans 490 primary torture victims
Plans focus on team strengthening, 157 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
acquiring a new office, increasing
services to victims, and increasing
prevention and outreach.
Morocco

Forum for Truth and Justice – Reception and Orientation

Center for Victims of Torture in Morocco (CAOVT)

CAOVT commemorates the 26 June

Primary objective(s) work of CAOVT affiliated doctors. Contact

• To receive victims, identify
their needs and document their
cases in an attempt to preserve
memories
• To guide victims towards a net-
work of doctors, friends of the
centre, to diagnose and treat
their cases
• To diagnose and list the physi-
cal and psychological after-ef-
fects of torture and other inhu-
mane and degrading treatment
• To help victims obtain medical
reports and certificates
• To devise awareness-raising
programmes on human rights
in line with international stand-
ards, and to contribute to anti-
Diagnoses often include:
• Rheumatoid arthritis (knees,
shoulders, backbone) - primary
treatment is provided directly
by CAOVT, (relaxing massages,
provision of medicine, for ex-
ample)
• Psychiatric diseases: patients
are systematically referred to
psychiatric hospitals
• Urologic troubles (prostate, ex-
ternal genital organs, sterility)
and gastro-intestinal problems
(ulcers) - patients are generally
referred to the centre’s affili-
ated therapists specialized in
after-effects of torture
• ORL, dermatological, ophthal-
6 A, Khadija ben Khouailide Street
Casablanca
Morocco
Phone: +212 22 48 70 33
Mobile: +212 069 97 89 43
Fax: +212 22 48 70 33
caovt_fvj@yahoo.fr
Established
2001
Director(s)
Dr. Omar Jbiha, Staff Supervisor
Contact persons(s)
Dr. Omar Jbiha, Staff Supervisor
Staff
4 doctors
1 permanent assistant
Working language(s)
French, Arabic

torture campaigns mologic, oral and dental dis- Number of clients treated per year
• To cooperate and coordinate eases - patients are referred 750 primary, secondary and
action with national and inter- to specialists affiliated to the other clients

national human rights associa- centre or to hospitals.

tions
• To assist and psychologically
support victims of torture.

Treatment
Victims, together with their spous-
es and children, benefit from free
medical advice, radiological serv-
ices and laboratories for biological
analysis. They may be advised ei-
ther to go to a hospital or to a net-

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

85
Morocco
Medical Association for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims
(AMRVT)
Primary objectives
• Psychological treatment, social
rehabilitation and vocational
training
• Documenting the cases of ex-
prison detainees and their con-
ditions
• Organising conferences and
colloquia about torture and re-
habilitation
• Organising activities for the
victims of torture to help them
reintegrate in society
• Defending human rights and
fighting torture
• Providing social work support
and physiotherapy.
Treatment
Following assessment, AMRVT of-
fers medical treatment including
psycho-pharmacotherapy, treat-
ment of psychological disorders,
orientation for other specialists
and follow-up, and psychothera-
peutic treatment such as individual
psychotherapy, cognitive-behav-
ioural therapy, family and systemic
therapy, supportive psychothera-
py, physiotherapy, and debriefing
group psychotherapy.
Training
AMRVT organises an annual train-
ing programme for different target
groups, including lawyers, social
workers and professionals working
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: social work, re-education
Psychiatric physiotherapy
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
in the field of trauma recognition
in victims of torture and violence.
Training courses include the AMAN
Local Training Programme and
seminars.
Research
Research activities include testi-
monies about torture and about
the psychological and social con-
ditions of liberated detainees and
their families.
Documentation
We maintain documentation on
cases of torture in addition to legal,
medical, psychological and social
documentation and books on the
subject of torture. In addition, we
have conducted research in collab-
oration with institutions and NGOs
dealing with torture victims.
Prevention
Every year, AMRVT organises sev-
eral conferences and public meet-
ings. We have a full programme of
visits in villages throughout Mo-
rocco.
Information and advocacy
Campaigning and lobbying consti-
tute an important part of the ac-
tivities of AMRVT. We participate
in interviews on national and inter-
national television and radio sta-
tions and organise conferences in
86
collaboration with the syndicate of Contact
torture victims. Every 26 June, we 20, rue d’Alger
Casablanca
celebrate the UN International Day Morocco
in Support of Victims of Torture.
Phone: +212 22 22 61 27
Mobile: +212 61 33 44 42
Networking Fax: +212 22 22 61 27
AMRVT is a member of the AMAN amrvtcontact@yahoo.fr
Network of centres for rehabilita- Established
tion of violence and torture in the 2005
MENA region. We also collaborate
Director(s)
with local NGOs in Morocco and Dr Abdelkrim El Elmanouzi, Presi-
organise several activities in co- dent; Louzi Mustapha, Adminis-
ordination with them. AMRVT has trative Director
relationships with international Contact person(s)
institutions and NGOs such as Me- Dr Abdelkrim El Elmanouzi
decins Du Monde, Amnesty Inter-
Staff
national and France Libertés. 1 psychiatrist
5 medical doctors
Funding 1 social worker
1 administrator
Funding is received from the Euro- 2 receptionists/secretaries
pean Union, UNVFVT, OAK Founda- 1 re-education doctor
1 psychologist
tion (through the IRCT), Medecins
1 nurse
Du Monde, Advisory Council on 1 physiotherapist
Human Rights, Instance Equité et
Working language(s)
Réconciliation of Morocco. Arabic, French
Future plans Number of clients treated per year
171 primary torture victims
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation in- 126 secondary torture victims
cluding judicial assistance; shar- 0 other clients
ing information about torture for
health and social professionals;
social and professional integra-
tion of victims of torture; training
of health and social professionals
and volunteers in how to detect,
work with and refer victims of tor-
ture.
Nepal
Centre for Victims of Torture Nepal (CVICT)
Staff of the CVICT
Primary objective(s)
• To increase victims’ and fami-
lies’ access of comprehensive
medical, psychosocial and le-
gal services
• To raise public awareness about
human rights, torture and so-
cial violence
• To advocate for policy and
structural reform for preven-
tion of torture and human rights
violations
• To develop/strengthen the
knowledge, attitude and skills
of staff, volunteers and other
stakeholders
• To conduct research/studies in
the field of torture and psycho-
social rehabilitation.
Treatment
Nearly 37,000 torture survivors
were provided rehabilitation serv-
ices from 1990 to 2007 at CVICT’s
centre and mobile health clinic. Cli-
ents are offered psychosocial coun-
selling and medical treatment, with
legal advice where necessary. The
variety of treatments and therapies
used enables the team to respond
effectively to the individual needs
and circumstances of clients.
Training
CVICT is the only organisation in
Nepal that has provided psychoso-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
cial training and services to those in
need. It has trained over 200 para-
professional psychosocial counsel-
lors through 4-6 month intensive
trainings. Training is also offered
to health professionals in forensic
documentation and rehabilitation,
and to lawyers in human rights in-
struments and penal reform.
Research
CVICT research aims at developing
and evaluating culturally appro-
priate interventions for trauma-
related symptoms and disorders
at the individual and collective
levels. It also aims at knowledge
translation addressing culturally
shaped modes of expressing and
coping with the impact of political
violence.
Legal
CVICT provides free legal support
to torture victims and helps file
complaints in the National Human
Rights Commission and for protec-
tion of public interest as Public In-
terest Litigation on torture related
issues.
Documentation
CVICT documentation activities
include medical documentation;
legal documentation; library and
information services; and monitor-
87
ing of alleged and reported cases Contact
of torture. P.O. Box 5839
Bansbari Kathmandu
Nepal
Prevention
Phone: +977 1 437 3902/437 3900
Prevention activities include police
Fax: +977 1 437 3020
custody and prison visits and train- cvict@cvict.org.np
ing of police officials, prison offi- www.cvict.org.np
cials, health professionals, lawmak- Established
ers and human rights defenders. 1990
Director(s)
Information and advocacy Shailendra Guragain, Ganga
CVICT has organised two types Laxmi Awal
of advocacy activities, focused
Contact person(s)
on making people aware of their Shailendra Guragain, Ganga
rights and on arranging training Laxmi Awal, Jamuna Poudyal
for professionals to make them
Staff
aware of the consequences of tor- 3 physicians
ture and how to rehabilitate survi- 2 nurses
vors. CVICT information activities 10 counsellors
3 psychologists
include publications, media, cam- 2 sociologists/anthropologists
paigns, fundraising, government 3 lawyers
1 IT officer
lobbying and participation in in-
2 researchers
ternational forums. 4 research assistants
12 psychosocial workers
1 advocacy officer
Funding 4 accountants/assistants
Funding is received from Inter- 6 administration staff
church Organization for Develop- 1 psychiatrist
5 volunteers
ment Cooperation, The Nether-
lands, Humanist Action for Human Working language(s)
Rights in Developing Countries Nepali, English
HAMU/NORAD Norway, Save Number of clients treated per year
the Children Norway, DFID, ESP, 1,095* primary torture victims
UNICEF, Canadian Cooperation Of-
*CVICT provided medical and psy-
fice-Nepal/Canadian International chosocial services to 1,095 torture
Development Agency and EU, Care survivors through clinic based and
Nepal and Plan Nepal. mobile health clinics between July
2007 and June 2008
Netherlands
De Evenaar, Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry North
Netherlands Department of GGZDrenthe, Community
Mental Health Organization
Primary objective(s)
• Provision of culturally sensitive
medico-psychiatric diagnostic
assessments
• Provision of mental health care
for migrants, especially asylum
seekers and refugees
• Services to general mental
health workers: consultation,
second opinion and advices
about referrals
• Preventive mental health serv-
ices to migrants, especially
asylum seekers and refugees
• Performing scientific research
in the field of transcultural
psychiatry and cultural anthro-
pology.
Treatment
The centre offers: psycho-soma-
education, counselling, cognitive
behaviour therapy, EMDR, resil-
ience oriented psychotherapy,
pharmacological therapy, creative
therapy, drama therapy, psycho-
motor therapy, occupational ther-
apy, courses in cultural identity
and intercultural communication,
language courses, physiotherapy,
medical screening etc. There are
day treatment and outpatient pro-
grammes. The treatment model is
resilience-oriented and its goal is
to reduce stress and vulnerability
and to promote social support and
the resilience of the patients.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: cultural anthropological
Psychiatric advice
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training
De Evenaar has provided training
for medical and nursing profes-
sionals as well as for health work-
ers in the asylum seekers’ centres.
De Evenaar offers an internship for
psychiatrists in training. A unique
training in cultural interviews is
provided by the cultural anthro-
pologist.
Research
De Evenaar has implemented re-
search projects on Iraqi asylum
seekers and cultural interviews
based on the DSM-IV cultural for-
mulation. Clinical research is im-
plemented through questionnaires
and aims to study the results of
treatment (Routine Outcome As-
sessment).
Legal
De Evenaar provides reports to
lawyers and the medical depart-
ment of Immigration Services in
relation to the legal procedures of
asylum seekers.
Documentation
De Evenaar operates a small library
and has a wide variety of psycho-
soma-educational materials.
Prevention
We have translated materials with
information about mental health
88
problems and how to handle these Contact
problems. De Evenaar provides Altingerweg 1
9411 PA Beilen
preventive services in asylum cen- Postbox 30000
tres and schools. 9410 RA Beilen
The Netherlands
Information and advocacy Phone: +31 593 53 58 42
Health workers contribute to lec- Fax: +31 593 53 58 51
DeEvenaar@ggzdrenthe.nl
tures and presentations in sym- www.ggzdrenthe.nl/evenaar
posia, meetings with government
officials, etc. We participate in Established
2002
government lobbying, especially
about the adverse impact of a long Director(s)
asylum procedure on health. C.J. Laban, MD, Psychiatrist/
Medical Director; C. Bilstra,
Administrative Director
Networking
De Evenaar participates in national Contact person(s)
C.J. Laban, MD, Psychiatrist/
(e.g. Dutch psychiatric association Medical Director; C. Bilstra,
– section Transcultural Psychia- Administrative Director
try) and international (e.g. WPA-
Staff
Transcultural Psychiatry Section, 1 psychiatrist
ESTSS) associations and confer- 1 psychiatrist in training
1 psychologist
ences. We will join the newly set
5 psychiatric nurses
up Dutch Association for Traumatic 1 family therapist
Stress. 1 cultural anthropologist
1 drama therapist
1 art therapist
Funding 1 occupational therapist
Almost all expenses are covered by 1 movement therapist
1 general physician
the insurance companies. For the 1 physiotherapist
research project on the cultural for- 1 language teacher
mulation we received a grant from 2 secretaries
1 administrator
Stichting Open Ankh.
Working language(s)
Future plans Dutch, interpretive services
available
We are extending our outpatient fa-
cilities, especially for children and Number of clients treated per year
youth and their families. 30 primary torture victims
30 secondary torture victims
130 other clients
Netherlands
Foundation Centrum ‘45
The Centrum ‘45
Primary objective(s)
Centrum ’45 is the Dutch national
expert centre for specialised psy-
chological and psychiatric treat-
ment to victims of torture, persecu-
tion and other forms of organised
violence. Centrum ’45 aims to
broaden the knowledge of the ef-
fects of traumatic events and the
expertise in trauma treatment by
research and education in the field
of psychotraumatology.
Treatment
Treatment is offered to those who
suffer from the effects of repeated
and/or enduring (organised) trau-
matic events. The physical settings
include a clinic for 48 inpatients,
two day care centres accommodat-
ing 200-220 patients per week,
and outpatient facilities for 1050
patients annually. Treatment of-
fered includes medical and psy-
chiatric methods, psychotherapy
(individual, couples, group and
family), art therapy, psychomotor
therapy and sociotherapy. Cen-
trum ’45 has a special unit for refu-
gees and asylum seekers suffering
from recent traumatic experiences
and in need of specialist treatment.
Psychiatric and psychotherapeutic
treatment concentrates on helping
patients to deal with their trau-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
matic experiences and cope with
problems associated with living in
exile, uncertainty about the future,
lack of familiarity with life in the
Netherlands, a foreign language,
culture shock and a different way of
perceiving psychological problems
and symptoms of illness.
Training
Training is conducted on trauma
psychiatry, trauma psychother-
apy, specialised art therapy and
specialised psychomotor therapy.
Foundation Centrum ‘45 has its
own academy, ArQ Academy.
Research
Research activities are focused
on epidemiology and treatment of
trauma and immigration-related
symptoms. Main projects include:
intervention studies; study of post-
traumatic nightmares; study of
work stress in trauma therapists;
attachment in behaviour and per-
sonality. Foundation Centrum ‘45
has its own research staff and is
working closely with universities
and research institutions.
Prevention
Foundation Centrum ’45 conducts
training sessions for health profes-
sionals in the Netherlands as well
89
as in other countries. Contact
Rijnzichtweg 35
2342 AX Oegstgeest
Information and advocacy The Netherlands
Numerous publications address-
ing the issues involved in treating Phone: +31 71 519 1500; +31 71
519 1516
trauma victims are produced, a list Mobile phone: +31 644 507 907
is available and key publications Fax: +31 71 515 7232
j.schaart@centrum45.nl
are on the website.
www.centrum45.nl
Networking Established
1973
Foundation Centrum ’45 is part of
ArQ Foundation – a Dutch holding Director(s)
on psychotrauma organisations – J.W. Reerds, MA, MBA, chairman;
J. Schaart, MA, MHA
and conducts training and research
in collaboration with the Universi- Contact person(s)
ties of Utrecht, Amsterdam and Drs. Jan Schaart, member of the
board
Leiden. Foundation Centrum ’45
participates in the IRCT and col- Staff
laborates with Antares foundation 12 medical doctors (psychiatrists)
26 psychotherapists
and War Trauma Foundation. 15 art therapists/psychomotor
therapists
5 social workers
41 sociotherapists (mainly with
a background in psychiatric
nursing)
Working language(s)
Dutch, English
Number of clients treated per year
250 primary, secondary and
other clients
Netherlands
Psychotrauma Centrum Zuid Nederland
The centre is part of the large mental health facility Reinier van Arkel groep
Primary objective(s)
• Offer out-patient and day treat-
ment to traumatised asylum
seekers, refugees, victims of
war and torture
• Offer contextual/systemic
treatment in a culturally sensi-
tive way, using a bio-psycho-
social approach
• Provide treatment to trauma
victims who are still in process
of applying for asylum (“early
treatment”)
• Carry out prevention and edu-
cation activities at the regional
and national level
• Develop an adequate model/
network for regional out-pa-
tient help.
Treatment
The centre offers specialist men-
tal health services for children,
adolescents and adults. The out-
patient unit offers individual and
group psychotherapy, while the
day treatment facility offers sev-
eral eclectic and multidisciplinary
treatment programmes, including
individual and group psychother-
apy, creative/art therapy, psycho-
motor and music therapy, as well
as social orientation. Hospital ad-
missions are organised in coopera-
tion with different partners.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training
Centre staff organise conferences
and conduct training sessions and
workshops on a regular basis on is-
sues such as PTSD, forced migra-
tion, vicarious traumatisation and
intercultural trauma therapy, in the
Netherlands and abroad.
Research
Ongoing projects include evaluat-
ing the results of different treat-
ment approaches.
Documentation
Documentation is carried out via
correspondence with lawyers and
asylum authorities.
Prevention
Primary prevention activities in-
clude providing advice to the medi-
cal services of asylum centres in the
region and other relevant partners,
schools, social workers, medical
and mental health institutions, and
lawyers. Tertiary prevention activi-
ties include social and occupation-
al rehabilitation, and a network of
self help groups.
Information and advocacy
Several scientific articles and
book chapters written by centre
staff have been published or are
under way in national and interna-
90
tional publications. These address
epidemiological and theoretical
issues, different approaches to
the treatment of torture survivors,
and issues of intercultural trauma
treatment. In terms of advocacy,
centre staff support clients during
the procedure of seeking asylum
with written medical/psychologi-
cal expertise.
Networking
Contacts exist with different part-
ners on the regional and national
level, and the centre is actively pro-
moted in the media and in publica-
tions. The centre is also a member
of ESTSS/ISTSS and ISHHR.
Funding
Treatment is paid for on a declara-
tion basis by medical insurance
companies.
Future plans
Future plans include further de-
velopment of treatment services
for traumatised asylum seekers
and refugees, development of a
better coordination of services for
different age categories, includ-
ing systemic and family approach,
and coordination of other regional
community-oriented centres in the
southern part of the country.
Contact
Bethaniestraat 10
5211 LJ’s-Hertogenbosch
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 73 658 6400
Fax: +31 73 658 6455
B.Drozdek@Rvagroep.nl
www.reiniervanarkelgroep.nl
Established
1996
Director(s)
Ben Nijmeijer, General Director;
Boris Drožđek, MD, MA, Psychia-
trist, Medical Director
Contact person(s)
Boris Drožđek, MD, MA, Psychia-
trist
Staff
3 psychiatrists
6 psychologists/psycho-
therapists
9 social psychiatric nurses
6 nurses
3 creative/art therapists
1 music therapist
1 psychomotor therapist
4 secretaries
2 residents in psychiatry
1 psychology student
Working language(s)
Dutch and different others with
the help of professional interpret-
ers
Number of clients treated per year
500 primary torture victims
300 secondary torture victims
200 other clients
New Zealand
Wellington Refugees as Survivors Trust
Primary objective(s)
• Specialised mental health serv-
ices for tortured and traumatised
refugees
• The provision of advocacy serv-
ices
• Capacity building to enable other
NGO and government services to
provide support to refugees.
Treatment
For refugee individuals, couples and
families - screening, assessment,
treatment, advocacy and onward
referral plus cross-cultural consul-
tation and liaison are provided.
Training
We provide over 20 training ses-
sions per year to health and social
service organisations who have
persons with refugee backgrounds
as clients.
Research
Currently we are setting up a re-
search project to look at neuropsy-
chological assessment of refugees
– victims of torture who have ex-
perienced traumatic brain injury
and posttraumatic stress disorder
resulting from torture. This is being
undertaken with Massey University,
Wellington.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: projects e.g. Home safety
Psychiatric programme; youth stories writing
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Documentation Contact
We work closely with the Family Re- PO Box 6187
Marion Square
unification Trust to enable refugees Wellington 6141
who are our clients to get some of New Zealand
their family out to live in New Zea-
Phone: +64 4 384 7279
land. Fax: +64 4 384 7278
jeff.wnras@xtra.co.nz
www.wellington-ras.org.nz
Information and advocacy
Advocacy covers immigration (help- Established
ing with family reunification)m 1997
housing, benefit entitlement and Director(s)
education matters. Jeff Thomas
Contact person(s)
Networking Jeff Thomas
We work from the same building as
five other organisations who also Staff
1 psychiatrist
work with and for refugees in: learn- 3 psychologists
ing English, housing and furniture 2 psychotherapists
set-up, employment, community 2 counsellors
1 social worker
development and interpreting.
Working language(s)
Funding English, with interpreters for all
clinical therapeutic sessions
Funding for 4.5 full-time employees
is received from the Capital and Number of clients treated per year
50 primary torture victims
Coast District Health Board (within
60 secondary torture victims
the Ministry of Health Government 40 other clients
funding).
Future plans
Expand services for refugees who
come through family reunification,
as these people do not receive the
same services as those who come
through the government’s quota
system.
91
Nigeria
Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action
(PRAWA)
Primary objective(s)
• Provide treatment/rehabilita-
tion and support to torture vic-
tims, prisoners, youths-at-risk
and families
• Provide training and capacity
development for health pro-
fessionals, lawyers, criminal
justice agents, journalists and
other relevant stakeholders
• Carry out research and advo-
cacy on issues of torture, jus-
tice, prisons and security sec-
tor reform
• Carry out human rights moni-
toring and encourage other
internal and external oversight
mechanisms.
Treatment
The treatment programme in-
cludes individual, group and family
counselling; psychotherapy; arts
therapy; and facilitation of self-
help groups. PRAWA also provides
social and economic support to its
clients. In addition, it has a referral
arrangement for clients on medi-
cal, psychiatric and physiotherapy
treatment.
Training
PRAWA carries out training activi-
ties for medical practitioners, le-
gal practitioners, law enforcement
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance
Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
agents, journalists, legislators
and NGOs. The topics range from
torture documentation, reporting,
treatment and redress mecha-
nisms to international and regional
human rights standards for treat-
ment of prisoners. From 2008-2011
these training will include a com-
ponent aimed at integrating the
Istanbul Protocol into medical and
law school curricula.
Research
PRAWA collects of baseline data
on torture prevalence and report-
ing, documentation and redress in
Nigeria and prison decongestion
and re-entry in Enugu State.
Legal
A project on Torture Documentation
& Redress Scheme (TDRS) includes
a legal component which involves
training of 30 legal practitioners on
providing legal redress/remedy for
torture victims.
Documentation
PRAWA has produced over 53 pub-
lications, 5 training manuals and
3 audio-visuals torture, the death
penalty and prisoners’ rights.
Prevention
TDRS focuses on prevention
92
Contact
(Enugu)
104 Upper Chime Avenue
New Haven, Enugu
P.O. Box 15501
Enugu, Enugu State
Nigeria
through awareness, training and Phone & Fax: +234 48 48 60 57
Mobile: +234 80 36 87 71 66;
promotion of reporting, documen-
+234 80 35 50 48 60
tation and redress. An innovative enuguprawa@yahoo.com; info@
tracking mechanism utilising tel- prawa.org; prawanigeria@yahoo.
com
ephone MMS/SMS on reporting
torture will be launched in Novem- (Lagos)
ber 2008. 1 Bode Thomas Street
Bode Thomas Road
Palmgroove, Lagos
Information and advocacy P.O. Box 2060
PRAWA has a one-hour weekly ra- Sabo, Lagos
Nigeria
dio programme and through the
TDRS, it runs newspaper serialisa- Phone & Fax: +234 1 734 8619
tion of the OPCAT. It is currently Mobile: +234 80 36 87 71 66;
+234 80 35 50 48 60
promoting the ratification and im- info@prawa.org; prawanigeria@
plementation of OPCAT. yahoo.com
Established
Networking 1994
PRAWA is linked to several net-
Director(s)
works including the African Securi-
Dr Ndeh-Cheh, Prof.; Yemi Oshin-
ty Sector Network and Association bajo, Prof.; Chiso Okafor; Uche
for SSR Education and Training. Ohadugha; Fatima Kwaku, Barr.;
Peter Eze,
Gen.; Owoeye Azazi; G.T. Tobi; S.
Funding Ashimole; Morenike Nedum
PRAWA’s main funding is from
Contact person(s)
BHC/FCO Global Fund (2008-2011) Dr Uju Agomoh, Executive
and SJGP/DFID 2008-2009. Other Director; Chigozie Nwafor, Head,
income is generated from sale of Psychological Unit
publications and products. Staff
2 psychologists
Future plans 1 nurse
2 lawyers (full-time) and 30
Promote the integration of reha- part-time
bilitation of torture victims into the 2 secretaries/documentalists
2 programme administrators
health delivery service; increase
2 accountants/financial
the sustainability of activities and controllers
funding. 30 medical practitioners and
psychiatrists (part-time)
2 cleaners
1 security
Working language(s)
English, Pidgin English, Ibo,
Yoruba
Number of clients treated per year
100 primary torture victims
226 secondary torture victims
30 other clients
Pakistan
SACH – Struggle for change
EU Ambassador to Pakistan, 26 June 2008
Primary Objective(s)
• We work on consciousness
building agaisnt torture, inhu-
man treatment or punishment
• To develop a network of profes-
sionals and to provide multi-
disciplinary services to torture
survivors
• To raise awareness on the sub-
ject of torture, through semi-
nars and public meetings
• To work as a research and docu-
mentation forum on the subject
of torture, rehabilitation and
reintegration of torture survi-
vors
• To make SACH into a forum
which striving to brain storm
for alternate strategies for de-
velopment and growth.
Training
SACH has in the past innitiated
a programme for care givers and
organized regional care for care
givers training in Islamabad.
Research
SACH is a service delivery organi-
zation providing direct services
to the survivors of torture and
violence and is the only organi-
zation in the area whicn provide
full services programmes. There
fore we have not been able to pri-
oritise research activities aswell,
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Sensitization workshop with lawyers
although other researches have
benefited from our experience.
Legal
Advice snd legal aid programme
to address torture victims living in
Afghan community.
Documentation
Individual cases against torture
and violent practices are regis-
tered, and these records are kept
confidential. Legal documentation
on these cases, notes on court pro-
ceedings and other files are also
maintained. SACH also maintains
a small information unit.
Prevention
SACH liases closely with lacal police
and prison officials. SACH provides
the services of a doctor to the prison
department in Lahore(Punjab) on a
regular basis.the doctor also inter-
acts with prison authorities and in-
forms them on prevention.Similar-
lly, SACH is in touch with thew local
police station(in Islamabad)and
provides information on how to deal
with torture/violence victims and
prevent the occurrence of torture
and violence.
Information and advocacy
SACH produces posters, leafllets,
brochures and reports (including
93
project repoets and reports on Contact
speciel issues). All events organ- House 27
Main park road 1-8/3
ized by SACH (including meetings, Islamabad
seminars, workshops and training 44-000
courses)are widely covered in the Pakistan
printed and electronic media. Phone: +92 51 4 860 698; +92 514
860 699; +9251 4 444 767
Mobile: +345 50 05 523
Networking
Fax: +92 514 447 400
SACH networks regularly with the madawa@comsats.net.pk
IRCT network and is a member of www.rahnumai.com
the Asia Net, OMCT and CVT. SACH
Established
has a strang local network of or- 1994
ganizations working on human
Director(s)
rights issues with an emphasis on Khalida Salimi,Executine Director
torture and violence.
Contact person(s)
Khalida Salimi, Executive Director
Funding
Funding is received from UN agen- Staff
cies such as UNVFT, CVT, EC, BHC, 3 medical doctors
6 legal experts
UNHCR and IRCT through (OAK) 5 psychologists
grant center. 7 counsellors
1 physiotherapists
8 management/administration
Future plans personnel
Continuation of existing work and 4 finance personnel
2 social workers
institutionalising it in a more pro-
fessional manner. Development Working language(s)
of: different departments, such as Urdu, English
physiotherapy, psychlogy,etc.; a
Number of clients treated per year
core group to provide care for care 1385 primary torture victims
givers; a database for registering 820 secondary torture victims
200 other clients
victims of torture and for refugee
services in Afghanistan. Our goal
is also to train health professionals
in Afghanistan and ensure access
to justice in Pakistan and Afgani-
stan.
Palestinian Territory (Occupied)
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP)
Poster of children
Primary objective(s)
• Empower vulnerable groups in
the society, especially women,
children and torture survivors
• Develop local human resources
through mental health training
programs
• Provide humane and high qual-
ity community-based mental
health services
• Promote democracy and human
rights and combat the stigma
of mental illness in Palestinian
society
• Influence the political/legal en-
vironment to respect Palestinian
human rights and promote well-
being.
Treatment
From its inception as a single clinic,
GCMHP has expanded to include
three community centres with 36
professionals, an occupational
therapy unit, an EEG unit, a phar-
macy and a physiotherapy unit.
With a combination of psychologi-
cal, family and community inter-
ventions, the GCMHP clinical teams
provide a supportive environment
in which healing can take place.
GCMHP firmly roots its therapy in
a culturally sensitive, community-
based approach, adapting Western
approaches to the needs of Pales-
tinian society.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training
GCMHP offers, in cooperation with
Islamic University in Gaza and
seven international universities, a
Post-Graduate Diploma in Commu-
nity Mental Health. Courses about
mental health and human rights
are held for police and security
officers, professionals working in
schools and primary health care
centres.
Research
Over 50 research studies on chil-
dren, women and human rights is-
sues have been conducted - many
deal with the impact of torture on
mental health.
Legal
GCMHP appeals to the Israeli courts
on behalf of Palestinian prisoners
in Israeli jails as well as to the Su-
preme Court.
Documentation
Case histories and courses of treat-
ment are documented in patient
files; data are used as a reference
for professional and medical re-
ports.
Prevention
An agreement exists between the
Programme and the Rehabilitation
and Correction Centers which al-
lows the Programme to treat pris-
94
oners with mental health needs and Contact
those suffering addiction. Sheikh Ejleen-El Rasheed St.
P.O. Box 1049
Gaza City
Information and advocacy Gaza Strip
Palestinian Territory (Occupied)
GCMHP conducts workshops, me-
dia meetings, exhibitions and art Phone: +972 8 282 5700; +972 8
work on relevant issues, particularly 282 57; +972 8 282 4073
Fax: +972 8 28 24 072
regarding prisoners and victims of rana@gcmhp.net; diabmarwan@
torture and violence against chil- yahoo.ca; pr1@gcmhp.net; pr2@
dren and women. gcmhp.net
www.gcmhp.net
Networking Established
GCMHP has strategic relations with 1990
many local organisations including Director(s)
ministries, human rights groups, Eyad El Sarraj, President; Ahmed
women’s centres, etc. GCMHP has Abu Tawahina, Director General
a wide professional network includ- Contact person(s)
ing membership in the Network of Husam El-Nounou, Director of
Centers of Rehabilitation of Victims Public Relations; Rana Ayyad,
Director Assistant, Administrative
of Violence and Torture in the Mid- and Financial Affairs
dle East and North Africa, the United
Staff
Against Torture Coalition and the
10 psychiatric nurses
Women World Summit Foundation. 2 physiotherapists
11 psychologists
9 psychiatrists
Funding 6 social workers
In 2007, GCMHP received funds from 1 pharmacist
a wide range of governments, foun- 1 occupational therapist
1 EEG technician
dations, associations, institutes
and multi-lateral organisations. Working language(s)
Arabic, English
Future plans Number of clients treated per year
Develop GCMHP as knowledge- 300 primary torture victims
based institution to enhance the 0 secondary torture victims
350 other clients
capacity of the community to deal
with mental health problems. Build
the Institute of Community Mental
Health in Palestine.
Palestinian Territory (Occupied)
Jesoor for Trauma Recovery
Jesoor activity
Primary objective(s)
• Enhance social support net-
work and community cohesion
to trauma survivors
• Provide professional counsel-
ling training skills for health
and allied professions
• Raise awareness about the
psychosocial consequences of
torture and human rights viola-
tions
• Analyse the contextual appli-
cation of health measurement
tools used globally
• Create a generation raised with
respect for democracy, by fos-
tering healthy child-parent rela-
tions.
Treatment
Rehabilitation is a comprehensive
approach that adopts commu-
nity-based physical, mental and
social interventions. Upon receiv-
ing a referral, a member of the
multidisciplinary team conducts a
comprehensive clinical interview.
The overall assessment is then
presented to the team, who make
a preliminary diagnosis and treat-
ment plan at the individual and
family level. At the individual level,
integrated individual therapy such
as supportive, cognitive and be-
havioural therapy, short-term psy-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Jesoor activity
chodynamic and medical services
and physiotherapy may be given.
At the family level, group therapy
and family therapy/counselling is
offered in order to strengthen the
client’s social network.
Training
Training of health and allied pro-
fessions, community leaders, reli-
gious leaders and law-enforcement
agents is one of the measures that
Jesoor is executing to prevent tor-
ture and human rights violations.
The aim of training is to maximise
the knowledge and skills of health
professionals to improve the qual-
ity of mental health services. The
training curriculum is culturally
sensitive and community oriented.
It includes interview skills; the psy-
chosocial consequences of torture
on individuals, family and the com-
munity; the main therapeutic indi-
vidual interventions; community
interventions and other topics.
Legal
Clients needing legal services are
referred to legal advice.
Prevention
The aim of preventive activities is
to maximize the knowledge and
skills of health professionals in or-
95
der to improve the quality of mental Contact
health services offered to victims Gaza City
El Jalah Sq, Zoroub Building
and their families. P.O. Box 1431
Gaza Strip
Information and advocacy Palestine
Advocacy and networking activi- Phone: +972 8 2884172
ties are considered complementary Fax: +972 8 2884172
info@jesoor.org
in order to reach a violence-free en-
www.jesoor.org
vironment and promote children’s
and families’ mental health. Many Established
2003
meetings are held with Palestinian
associations and figures in order to Director(s)
network and coordinate. Mr. Ali Amer, Executive Director
Ms. Mervat Mekbel, Team Coor-
dinator
Networking
The centre collaborates with local Contact person(s)
Mr. Ali Amer, Executive Direc-
organisations and signs partner- tor; Ms. Mervat Mekbel, Team
ship agreements with different Coordinator
organisations. Jesoor plans to
Staff
strengthen its regional and inter- 1 trained psychiatrist
national network and strengthen 2 social workers
its cooperation with the IRCT net- 2 mental health professionals
1 psychiatric nurse
work and members. 1 psychologist
2 mental health professionals
1 administrative assistance
Funding
1 secretarial support
Contributions come from regional 1 accountant
and international donors in addi- 1 project officer
3 volunteers
tion to professional contributions.
Working language(s)
Future plans Arabic, English
More emphasis on social represen- Number of clients treated per year
tation of trauma; widen the funding 72 primary torture victims
base; give more resources to com- 100 secondary torture victims
172 other clients
munity interventions and those liv-
ing in marginalised areas.
Palestinian Territory (Occupied)

Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC)

Primary objective(s)
• To promote a community that
rejects torture, violence and
impunity and to promote men-
tal health and social welfare in
Territories is a severe lack of mental Information and advocacy Contact
health professionals in the region. Advocacy activities include news- Al-Ersal Street - Al-Masah build-
ing 3rd Floor
TRC has established a continuing paper articles, workshops, radio PO Box 468
education programme covering broadcasts and television spots. Ramallah
mental health, trauma and human Palestine

the Palestinian community
• To alleviate the suffering of
survivors and families and fa-
cilitate their reintegration
• To advocate and educate for
de-stigmatization of torture in
order to build public awareness
and change
• To capacitate the law enforce-
ment system to insure the hu-
man rights of detained people.
Treatment
Psychiatric, psychological, medi-
rights. Courses are held regularly
for health, education and social
service professionals, as well as
for university students and human
rights workers. TRC also provides
training in human rights to Pales-
tinian law enforcement agencies.
Research
TRC gives great importance to doc-
umentation of cases and research
projects related to torture, PTSD,
and other closely related psychi-
atric and adjustment disorders.
Networking
TRC is a member of many local, re-
gional and international coalitions
and networks related to human
rights and torture.
Funding
TRC receives funds from the Swiss
Agency for Development and Co-
operation, EC, United Nations Vol-
untary Fund for Victims of Torture,
Norwegian Church Aid, Center for
Victims of Torture, Rehabilitation
and Research Center for Torture
Phone: +972 2 296 1710
Fax: +972 2 298 9123
info@trc-pal.org; sehwail@
trc-pal.org
www.trc-pal.org
Established
1997
Director(s)
Dr. Mahmud Sehwail, General
Director
Contact person(s)
Dr. Mahmud Sehwail, Gen-
eral Director; Emile J. Makhlouf,
Administrative Manager; Khader
Rasras, Programme Manager

cal and social services are of-
fered by TRC’s multi-disciplinary
clinical team to victims of torture
and organised violence and their
families. Different treatment mo-
dalities are applied both at the
centre and through TRC’s outreach
programme, based on each client’s
individual needs. TRC also works
with traumatised school children
and the injured in hospitals or in
their homes.
Training
Compounding the problem of high
levels of trauma in the Palestinian
A general survey is conducted
on a regular basis to assess the
prevalence of common psychiatric
disorders in the Palestinian com-
munity.
Prevention
TRC organises and participates in
a variety of workshops, seminars
and conferences throughout the
West Bank, regionally and abroad
to elevate public awareness and to
provide/receive training in a range
of topics related to mental health
and human rights.
Victims, Representative Office of Staff
the Kingdom of the Netherlands to 5 psychiatrists
the Palestinian Authority and the 7 social workers
24 psychologists
IRCT. 15 administrative staff
Working language(s)
Future plans
Arabic, English
Further concentration on preven-
tion measures and means; develop- Number of clients treated per year
412 primary torture victims
ment of new treatment methodolo- 648 secondary torture victims
gies and staff; becoming a leading 833 other clients
reference in the field; expanding
our network base internationally.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

96
Paraguay

ATYHA Mental Health and Human Rights

Primary objective(s) Prevention Contact

• The primary objectives of Educational programmes have Péru 1903
Asunción
ATYHA are to ensure the men- been developed for training prison Paraguay
tal health and human rights of officials, health professionals and
people with mental disorders, lawyers. Phone: +595 21 206 736
Mobile: +595 21 971 224 691
especially those who suffer Fax: +595 21 206 736
from human rights violations. Information and advocacy atyha@atyha.org; drjosevera@
hotmail.com
ATYHA produces publications, par-
www.atyha.org
Treatment ticipates in international forums
ATYHA offers psychiatric, psycho- and in TV and radio programmes, Established
1988
therapeutic and medical treat- and contributes to newspaper ar-
ment. ticles. Director(s)
Dr. José Vera Gómez
Training Networking Contact person(s)
Training courses are offered to ATYHA is a member of the Red lati- Dr José Vera Gómez
medical and psychology students, namericana y del Caribe network
Staff
medical doctors, lawyers and pris- and the Paraguayan network of 3 psychiatrists
on personnel. human rights organisations, Co- 2 psychologists
ordinadora de Derechos Humanos 2 secretaries
A network of medical specialists:
Research del Paraguay. neurologists, surgeons, general
Research activities include assess- practitioners, etc.
ments, questionnaires and evalua- Funding
Working language(s)
tions of impact of treatment. Funding is received from the UN- Spanish, Guaraní
VFVT.
Number of clients treated per year
Legal
(Not available)
ATYHA uses an Istanbul Protocol
based evaluation for the justice
system.

Documentation
Documentation activities include
medical documentation, legal doc-
umentation, library services and a
database.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

97
Peru
Center of Psychosocial Attention (CAPS)
Group dynamics with adults, Puno
Primary objective(s)
• Attend to the psychosocial af-
ter-effects of torture and vio-
lence on persons, groups and
communities
• Build the capacity around reha-
bilitation work, mental health
promotion and torture preven-
tion
• Raise awareness regarding po-
litical violence and the impor-
tance of full respect for human
rights
• Advocate policies so those
whose rights were violated can
access services and exercise
their rights
• Create systemized, transfera-
ble knowledge of mental health
treatment and promotion inter-
ventions.
Treatment
The psychosocial treatment model
used by CAPS offers individuals,
groups and communities the op-
portunity to re-elaborate their per-
sonal, social and historical story
affected by political violence. All
CAPS treatments are based on
a therapeutic bond which works
through and restores the damaged
self and citizenship rights empow-
erment. CAPS uses an integral
approach which involves psycho-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Children in the Huánuco jungle
therapy, social work, psychiatry
and physiotherapy.
Training
CAPS offers capacity building to
strengthen mental health and hu-
man rights institutions in their
work of rehabilitation, promotion
of mental health and prevention
of torture and other forms of vio-
lence.
Training in mental health care is
provided in marginal urban zones
in Lima and in rural areas in six re-
gions. It consists of training in: psy-
chotherapy - individual (adults),
play (children and adolescents),
family and couple, and dynamic
group; psychological counselling;
therapeutic workshops; diag-
nostic and psychiatric treatment;
physiotherapy; social work; par-
ticipative situational diagnostics;
psychosocial strengthening of
affected organisations; training
and accompaniment of community
agents.
Research
The research team has gained ex-
perience and skills by incorporating
monitoring and evaluation in CAPS
activities. Currently research is oc-
curring on the efficacy of psychoso-
cial treatment on torture victims.
98
Documentation Contact
The psychological affidavits made Calle Caracas 2380
Jesus Maria
for torture victims contribute to the Lima
legal strategy to visualize the ef- Peru
fects of the suffered violence. The
Established
psychological assessment is par- 1994
ticularly relevant on those cases
Director(s)
where after several years torture
Jacquely Fontela Salinas, Execu-
would not show any signs of physi- tive Director
cal harm.
Contact person(s)
Currently, CAPS is working with Carlos Jibaja Zarate
the Institute of Legal Medicine
and a feminist organisation to de- Staff
12 psychotherapists
velop an assessment protocol to 1 psychiatrist
appraise the psychological harm 2 psychologists
caused by torture, family and sex- 2 anthropologists
1 social worker
ual violence. 1 administrator
1 executive assistant
Information and advocacy 1 administrative assistant
1 receptionist
Within the National Coordinator 1 clerical assistant
of Human Rights from Peru, CAPS
along with other human rights or- Working language(s)
Spanish, Quechua (translator)
ganisations forms various work
groups that articulate their efforts Number of clients treated per year
60 primary torture victims
and resources to prevent torture.
140 secondary torture victims
The OPCAT National Mechanism 30 other clients
implementation, the improvement
of the Institute of Legal Medicine
procedures and follow up of the In-
tegral Reparation Plan are some of
the focused actions.
Philippines
BALAY Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
Detention visit by a staff member
Primary objective(s)
• Promoting peace and human
rights advocacy
• Supporting social healing of
communities affected by armed
conflict and development ag-
gression
• Providing relief and rehabilita-
tion services to victims of tor-
ture and other human rights
violations
• Promoting community empow-
erment for people’s protection,
personal well-being and devel-
opment
• Training individuals, families
and communities on health, hu-
man rights and community mo-
bilization.
Treatment
Since 2001, Balay has been assist-
ing and giving treatment to direct
victims of torture and political per-
secution, focusing on fourteen (14)
barangays (villages) of Pikit, Central
Mindanao, utilising multidiscipli-
nary, community and detention-
based psychosocial intervention,
and the implementation of services
to seek an end to coercive civilian
displacement and reject torture and
other forms of organised violence.
This is generally achieved through
psychosocial intervention with
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: therapy, shelter
Psychiatric assistance, livelihood assist-
ance, home visits, peace and
Referrals human rights
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Children with a call for peace
medical and economic support;
group, family and individual coun-
selling; psycho-educational ac-
tivities; self-help, educational and
literacy support; legal assistance;
lobbying and advocacy.
Training
Several training courses and work-
shops for displaced communities,
and torture survivors and their
families were conducted during the
last five years. BALAY also conducts
training for other service providers.
Research
Knowledge generation is inherent
to Balay’s tradition. It conducts
qualitative studies on the impact
of social trauma among displaced
communities and studies on coping
and vulnerability among prisoner
populations.
Documentation
Balay is continually documenting
cases of torture, internal displace-
ment events, summary executions,
etc. It maintains a Resource Centre
with a wide array of material sourc-
es.
Prevention
Prevention activities are undertaken
through partnerships with state and
99
civil-society groups. Balay conducts Contact
workshops on torture and human 25 Maalindog Street
UP Village
rights documentation, establishing Diliman
reporting mechanisms in communi- Quezon City
ties and detention centres.
P. O. Box 1075
Quezon City
Information and advocacy Philippines
Balay is involved in a legislative
Phone: +632 426 3825/434 0271
campaign for the adoption of the Fax: +632 921 6301; +632 428
Anti-Torture Bill and Internal Dis- 3825; +632 929 8054
balayph@pldtdsl.net
placement Act. It has been at the www.balayph.org
forefront of the campaign for the rat-
ification of the Optional Protocol to Established
1985
the Convention against Torture and
the promotion of documentation Director(s)
standards. It supports peace and Mr. Ernesto A. Anasarias, Acting
Executive Director, Loreine B. dela
human rights promotion through Cruz, Chair of the Board of Balay
various activities.
Contact person(s)
Brenda Escalante, Ernesto Ana-
Networking sarias, Program Coordinators
Balay is an active member of various
thematic networks at the national Staff
3 psychologists
and international levels. 3 social workers
3 community development
specialists
Funding
3 social enterprise development
Balay receives support from DANIDA specialists
through RCT and the UNVFVT. 2 educational specialists
4 peace and human rights
specialists
Future plans 2 institutional management
Balay is expanding its activities to specialists
6 finance and administration
new communities in Mindanao, i.e.
among indigenous peoples and the Working language(s)
Visayas to cater for torture survivors English
on the island. Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
Philippines
Medical Action Group, Inc. (MAG)
Participants during the forensic training conducted
by MAG
Primary objective(s)
• Document cases of torture
• Provide medical, psychological
and rehabilitative services to
torture victims and survivors
as well as monitor their health
conditions in jails where they
are detained
• Provide trainings to immediate
relatives, peers, health profes-
sionals and other human rights
advocates
• Generate protest actions
against torture along with other
organisations.
Treatment
MAG provides medical, dental and
psychological services to recently
released political detainees and
currently detained political prison-
ers, their families and relatives, and
to IDPs, families of the disappeared
and other torture survivors. In its
services and treatment, MAG devel-
oped the bio-psychosocial approach
to provide holistic health care.
Training
MAG has trained medical profes-
sionals and students, jail war-
dens/personnel, municipal health
officers, government agencies
and human rights defenders in the
recognition, documentation and
reporting of torture.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: When needed, financial
Psychiatric support or supplies for health
treatment
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Autopsy and exhumation conducted in Calbayog City
in 1985
Research
MAG has researched the psycho-
social profile of Filipino political
prisoners and health conditions
inside prisons and the state of
the right to health of prisoners in
Metro Manila.
Documentation
MAG pioneered the medical docu-
mentation of torture using the
Modified Istanbul Protocol, which
was developed during trainings
for government and jail health
personnel. Documentation is used
to provide evidence of physical
abuse (we don’t have a national
torture law) in court and in report-
ing to UN agencies.
Prevention
MAG’s prevention activities are
trainings for prison and health
professionals, developing health
manuals and advocating policy
change in relation to torture.
Information and advocacy
MAG produces various brochures
and other materials, and has de-
veloped a manual for health pro-
fessionals. Concurrently, MAG
lobbies, with other local organisa-
tions, for the ratification of anti-
torture legislation.
100
Networking Contact
MAG liaises with human rights 129-D Matatag St., Brgy. Central
Quezon City
organisations, such as the Free Philippines
Legal Assistance Group, BALAY
Center and Task Force Detainees Phone: +63 2 433 1974
Fax: +63 2 433 1974
of the Philippines. MAG is an affili- maghhr@tri-isys.com
ate of the International Physicians
Established
for the Prevention of Nuclear War, a
1982
member of United Against Torture
Coalition and convenor of the Phil- Director(s)
Ms. Edeliza P. Hernandez, RN,
ippine Network Against Torture.
Executive Director
MAG collaborates with the Com-
mission on Human Rights (CHR) in Contact person(s)
Ms. Edeliza P. Hernandez, RN,
documenting torture and with the Executive Director; Ms. Amarylis
University of The Philippines and Ng-Abcede, DMD, Philippine
other health schools. Action Concerning Torture (PACT)
Program Manager
Funding Staff
Funding comes from the British 1 executive director
3 project managers
Embassy-Manila, Terres De Hom- 1 psychologist
mes-Germany and Netherlands, 1 campaign officer
WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNVFVT, 2 regional coordinators
1 organizer
CH), Oxfam-Great Britain and MIS- 1 finance officer
ERIOR. 1 liaison/messenger
1 nurse
volunteers
Future plans
Reprinting manual of torture doc- Working language(s)
English, Filipino/Tagalog
umentation and posters against
torture; “Eyewitness and Trac- Number of clients treated per year
ing Technique Training”; forensic 220 primary torture victims
100 secondary torture victims
training for municipal health doc- 1000 other clients
tors; lobbying for the ratification of
the Philippine Anti-torture Bill.
Poland
The Centre for Victims of Political Persecution, Chair in
Psychiatry, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum (CVPP)
Primary objective(s)
• Provide victims of political per-
secution with psychological
care and psychiatric support as
well as general medical diagno-
sis and legal help
• Conduct scientific statistical re-
search based on collected data,
diagnostic materials and treat-
ment results
• Provide training on clinical psy-
chiatry and psychology
• Draw public attention to the
situation of victims of political
persecution
• Improve the social and medi-
cal conditions of persecution
victims.
Treatment
All patients are victims of political
persecution and torture, or direct
family members of victims of tor-
ture who are also direct victims
of persecution, i.e. children sent
to concentration camps with their
parents. The majority of those
examined are members of social
organisations for Stalin period ex-
prisoners, prisoners of Nazi con-
centration camps and people de-
ported to Siberia. They apply to the
centre on their own initiative. The
centre is the only institution of its
kind in Poland. Diagnostic exami-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Training, research
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
nations consist of a wide range of • Scientific research based on Contact
physical, psychical, psychological collected data, diagnostic ma- Ul. Kopernika 21
31-501 Kraków
and social condition analyses. terials and treatment results is Poland
published regularly
Description of services • CVPP conducts specialist train- Phone: +48-12-4248737
Fax: +48-12-4248739
• Legal analysis of documentation ing on clinical psychiatry and cvpp@psych.cm-uj.krakow.pl
(survivor’s status confirmed by psychology. Doctor residents www.psych.cm-uj.krakow.
pl/CVPP
appropriate annulling sentence and psychologists are intro-
verdict), medical documenta- duced to the problems resulting Established
tion (previous treatment, hos- from torture, the specific char- 1996
pitalisations, etc.) and social acter of contact with victims Director(s)
documentation (confirmation and methods of treatment. Dr Krzysztof Rutkowski, Coordina-
of received welfare benefits, tor
pensions, etc.) Contact person(s)
• Complex diagnosis of mental Dr Krzysztof Rutkowski; Renata
and social effects of trauma. Jedrzejowska ,MA (for patients)
Preliminary, general medical Staff
examination conducted by psy- 2 psychiatrists
chiatrists is followed by routine 1 internist
1 psychologist
diagnostic psychiatric and psy- 1 lawyer
chological interviews, based on 1 coordinator
psychological diagnostic tests 1 assistant
1 accountant
• Treatment is based mostly on
pharmacotherapy and/or psy- Working language
Polish
chotherapy
• General medical certificates Number of clients treated per year
describing health status are (not available)
provided for each patient
• Legal help with providing let-
ters to the courts in compensa-
tion or pension cases
• Legal medical certificates are
provided by witness experts
for the public courts
101
Romania
ICAR Foundation
ICAR team members at the reception area
Primary objective(s)
• Contribute to the consolidation of
democracy by assisting vulnera-
ble, marginalised people, victims
of gross human rights violations
• Recognition of/gratitude for
survivors through creation and
access to comprehensive reha-
bilitation
• Promotion of victims’ and fami-
lies’ right to medical and psy-
chological rehabilitation and to
redress
• Contribute to the life standard
of primary and secondary vic-
tims among former political
prisoners, refugees and asylum
seekers through provision of
comprehensive rehabilitation
• Support activities preventing
gross human rights violations
and raising awareness of their
consequences.
Treatment
The services provided at the centre
focus on medical, psychological,
legal and social assistance for the
physical, mental, legal and social
consequences of serious human
rights violations. Legal counsel-
ling services and the most needed
medical services are offered at IC-
AR’s own cabinets by staff (general
medicine, cardiology, psychiatry,
psychotherapy, physiotherapy,
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Signing the Protocol of collaboration with UNHCR
Romania
urology and dentistry) and by
other professionals as required
(geriatrics, ophthalmology, ENT,
laboratory, etc). For beneficiaries
with temporary or permanent dis-
abilities, support is provided at
home, through home visits.
Training
Training courses are provided by
ICAR to the other two rehabilita-
tion centres in Romania, as well as
to legal and health professionals
who work with possible victims of
torture.
Research
Research activities include: sur-
veys on the prevalence of torture
among asylum seekers in Romania,
study and documentation on sub-
jects like psychiatric abuse during
the communist regime in Romania,
consequences of torture and ill-
treatment on the individual and on
the society, and trans-generational
consequences of torture.
Legal
ICAR is involved in a strategic liti-
gation project which aims to test
the Romanian judiciary system in
the implementation of national and
international legislation concern-
ing reparations for gross human
rights violations.
102
Prevention Contact
Prevention activities include: press 70, Unirii bd
Bloc J5, Sector 3
conferences, seminars and public 030836 Bucharest
debates on subjects in relation to Romania
the consequences of violence on
Phone: +4 021 321 22 21
victims; editing and distribution of Mobile: +4 0722 627 334
publications on the study of, fight Fax: +4 021 327 54 74; +4 021 321
22 21
against and prevention of torture;
icar@icarfoundation.ro; iuliana@
national reconciliation activities. icarfoundation.ro
Established
1992
Information and advocacy
ICAR organises a campaign every Director(s)
Camelia Doru, Medical Director
year on the 26 June. Also, ICAR
produces and promotes documen- Contact person(s)
taries on survivors of political vio- Iuliana Florea, Project Coordinator
lence in Romania (“So close to us” Staff
– Mihai Preda and Nicolae Margi- 16 health and legal professionals
neanu, “Beyond Torture” – Alan 7 project support staff
Hartwick, USA). Working language(s)
Romanian, English, French
Networking
Number of clients treated per year
ICAR initiated and coordinates a 389 primary torture victims
working group on the implemen- 82 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
tation of the Istanbul Protocol in
Romania that includes representa-
tives of all relevant non-govern-
mental organisations and public
institutions.
Funding
Funding is received from EU, UN-
VFVT, National Health Insurance
House and private donors.
Romania
Medical Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims Craiova
(MRCT Craiova)
Massage session
Primary objective(s)
• Provide medical rehabilitation
services to victims of torture
and ill-treatment and their fam-
ilies
• Contribute to the improvement
of the health and social con-
ditions of survivors and their
families
• Improve the rehabilitation ca-
pacity and institutional sus-
tainability of health and mana-
gerial staff
• Increase public awareness cam-
paigns concerning torture and
its long lasting health and social
consequences.
Treatment
At present 809 victims of torture
benefit from consultations and
treatments through: cabinets of
general and internal medicine, psy-
chiatry, physiotherapy, acupunc-
ture; the treatment base for physi-
otherapy, where they are provided
physical treatments through elec-
trotherapy, laser therapy, ultra-
sound, therapeutic, prophylactic
and curative massage and reflexo-
therapy; collaboration with other
cabinets (laboratory, echography,
urology, stomatology, endocrinol-
ogy). We also provide supportive
psychotherapeutic assistance and
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: acupuncture, massage,
Psychiatric reflexotherapy, aromatherapy
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Physical consultation
psychiatric counselling; medical
visits and treatments at home for
bedridden patients; biannual vita-
min campaigns in spring and au-
tumn; and a vaccination campaign
with anti-flu vaccine (November-
December).
Training
The health professionals partici-
pate in scientific clinical seminars,
workshops and conferences in or-
der to have permanent profession-
al updates. They share feedback
through in-house meetings. The
financial management staff partic-
ipate in training and international
professional events for updating
their professional knowledge and
skills.
Research
MRCT Craiova gathers informa-
tion and testimonies about torture
during the communist regime to
be able to put them in front of jus-
tice with the aim of offering moral
and material compensation to the
persons that suffered during that
period.
Documentation
The centre uses the client monitor-
ing programme, which provides
medical and social information on
103
clients, as well as information on Contact
the long-term psychological and 30 Amaradia St.
200157 Craiova
physical effects of torture. Romania
Information and advocacy Phone: +40 251 595 961
Fax: +40 351 413 441
Our centre prepares and publicis- mrctcraiova@rdsmail.ro
es information concerning torture www.icarfoundation.ro
practices to the general public
Established
through written and electronic me- 1997
dia especially in connection with
Director(s)
26 June. Simona Smarandache, Economist
Networking
Contact person(s)
The MRCT Craiova closely collabo- Daniela Dinca, Medical Assist-
rates with the centres in Bucharest, ant/Medical Secretary
Iasi and Chisinau. We also collabo-
Staff
rate with the Association of Former 1 director
Political Prisoners and the Health 1 medical coordinator with
House of Insurance Dolj. acupuncture competence
1 internal practitioner with
echography competence
Funding 1 physiotherapist
MRCT Craiova receives funding 1 psychiatrist
1 medical assistant/medical
from the EC, UNVFVT and the OAK secretary
Foundation/Sigrid Rausing Trust. 1 nurse
1 kinetotherapist
MRCT has contractual relations
1 accountant
with the Health House of Insurance 1 housekeeper
Dolj on covering some of the costs
Working language(s)
related to rehabilitation activities, Romanian
e.g. provision of free basic medi-
cines. Number of clients treated per year
616 primary torture victims
193 secondary torture victims
Future plans 380 other clients
Diversification of current services;
increasing the fundraising capac-
ity.
Romania
Medical Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims Iasi,
Romania (MRCT Iasi)
Patient visiting the dentist
Primary objective(s)
• Offer rehabilitation services for
victims of torture, violence, or
other inhuman or degrading
treatment
• Promote social inclusion for vic-
tims of torture
• Fight and prevent torture
• Promote partnerships and net-
work initiatives
• Promote volunteering and citi-
zenship.
Treatment
Our centre was founded in 1995 at
the initiative of ICAR Bucharest and
with the financial support of IRCT.
Over the past 13 years we have of-
fered rehabilitation services to more
than 700 victims of torture, consist-
ing of roughly 45,000 consultations,
interventions and procedures. Our
centre offers free medical treatment
(internal medicine, cardiology, od-
ontology), psychological treatment
(individual counselling/psycho-
therapy and group psychotherapy)
and social assistance (home visits,
social counselling, meeting with
patients and their families for im-
proving inter-family relationships,
socialization activities).
Training
Some of the trainings (attended by
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Clients at a 26th of June event
both students and professionals) Leaflets and flyers are distributed Contact
organised so far are related to tor- among the local community as are 35 Nicolae Iorga Bd.
bl. N2, ground floor
ture and methods of torture, late different campaign materials relat- Iasi, 700256
consequences of torture, medical ed to the 26th of June. Romania
and psychosocial aspects of torture
Phone: +40 332 409 498
and volunteers’ management. Networking Fax: +40 232 233 760
Our centre closely collaborates with mrctiasi@rdsmail.ro; ciprian-
paius@gmail.com
Research the other two centres in Romania
www.icarfoundation.ro
Detailed patient medical files are (Bucharest and Craiova) as well as
used to establish physical and psy- with Memoria Center from Chisinau, Established
1995 as a branch of ICAR founda-
chological therapeutic methods and Republic of Moldova. We are actively tion Bucharest
we conduct case studies and pro- involved in all networking activities 2000 as an independent associa-
duce materials for future training related to the European centres of tion
sessions, workshops and reports. the IRCT. Director(s)
Ciprian-Mihai Paius
Documentation Funding
Contact person(s)
Detailed private patient files in- Our centre receives funding from Ciprian-Mihai Paius
clude data about torture methods, the EU, UNVFVT, OAK Foundation
the period during which the torture and other national and internation- Staff
1 general practitioner
took place, the immediate and late al donors. 1 odontologist
consequences of torture, medical 1 cardiologist
and anamnestic data about illness- Future plans 1 massage therapist
2 nurses
es, types of treatment and develop- Expanding and improving our medi- 1 medical secretary
ment of the illnesses. cal and psychosocial methods; en- 1 social worker
1 psychotherapist
larging our client database by ad-
1 executive director
Prevention dressing recent victims of torture. 1 accountant
Our centre strives to prevent the 1 housekeeper
1 guard
occurrence of torture by increasing
professional knowledge and public Working language(s)
awareness of its consequences. Romanian, English
Number of clients treated per year
Information and advocacy 300 primary torture victims
Our centre produces quarterly and 40 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
annual reports to be released to
the press and the main local actors.
104
Russia
Interregional Non-governmental Organization
“Committee Against Torture” (INGO CAT)
The press interview Alexey Mikheyev, a torture victim whose story Distributing leaflets about torture in Russia
was made into a documentary that was screened on 26 June
Primary objective(s)
• Prevention of torture
• Rehabilitation of torture victims
• Human rights education
• Improvement of law enforce-
ment practice.
Treatment
In 2003 CAT created a rehabilitation
department for torture victims as a
special sub-division. The depart-
ment offers professional medical,
psychological and psychiatric help
as well as rehabilitation to torture
victims from Russian regions cov-
ered by CAT’s network and some-
times to victims from other regions.
CAT has agreements with leading
medical experts and hospitals in
the region and can send victims to
the best hospitals and supervise
their treatment. In addition, the
activities of the department allow
CAT to collect medical evidence
and provide torture victims with
more effective legal rehabilitation.
CAT also assists in the implementa-
tion of Istanbul Protocol in Russia.
Training
CAT gives weekly lectures to police
officers and organises practical
lessons for students. CAT organ-
ises monthly trainings for lawyers,
higher ranking police and judges.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
CAT completed research on citizen
confidence in regional courts and
torture in Russia. CAT is preparing
research for regional police.
Legal
CAT works on restoration of victims’
rights nationally and internation-
ally. CAT has won several hundred
national cases and has more than
50 applications lodged at the Euro-
pean Court for Human Rights.
Documentation
CAT publishes reports about tor-
ture use and prevention in Russia.
Prevention
Programmes include publication
and distribution of the Istanbul
Protocol, manuals for police offic-
ers, educating state agents, coali-
tion building and improvement of
law enforcement practice through
case building.
Information and advocacy
CAT’s website contains recommen-
dations, analyses, research. CAT
also organises press conferences,
films, street actions to draw atten-
tion to the problem.
105
Networking Contact
In 2003 CAT created a network Kojevennaya Street, 11 - 304
03001, Nizhniy Novgorod
against torture in Nizhniy Novgorod. Russia
The network has five departments
able to provide legal and medical Phone: +7 831 433 1404
Mobile phone of contact person:
rehabilitation, including one in the +7 951 902 4384
Chechen Republic. CAT also trains Fax: +7 831 433 6101
komitet@pytkam.net;
lawyers and NGO leaders how to
sadovskaya@pytkam.net
operate and manage a network. www.pytkam.net
Established
Funding 2000
CAT has been successful using a
clear and strict fundraising strat- Director(s)
Igor Kalyapin, Chairperson
egy – the organisation does not Olga Sadovskaya, Vice-chair-
invent activities to get funding; it person
looks for funding to support only
Contact person(s)
necessary activities. Olga Sadovskaya
Future plans Staff
35 lawyers
CAT plans to widen its network and 2 phisicians
give others the possibility to fulfil 2 psychologists
independent public investigation 1 psychiatrist
on cases. CAT also plans to estab- Working language(s)
lish a programme aimed at creating Russian, English
juvenile courts in Russia.
Number of clients treated per year
90 primary torture victims
30 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Rwanda
Forum for Activists against Torture and Violence (FACT)
The FACT team in Kigali with the chairman of the board
of directors
Primary objective(s)
• Awareness raising of the Rwan-
dan population about torture
and human rights
• Holistic and integrated reha-
bilitation services to victims of
violence and torture in Rwanda
• Sharing our expertise with
other human rights activists in
Rwanda, the Great Lakes and
East Africa regions, as well as
internationally
• Research, publication and doc-
umentation of causes of torture
and the proposed ways of eradi-
cating it.
Treatment
Since establishing its centre for
rehabilitation and assistance for
torture victims in 2003, FACT has
offered various treatments, includ-
ing nursing wounds and post-trau-
matic pains. The majority of our
clients are women and children.
Victims are often severely emo-
tionally and physically scarred.
Each victim requires different help
and we offer legal, medical, psy-
chological and social assistance
and treatment.
Training
Training in the treatment and inter-
rogation of suspects without using
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: community-based sensiti-
Psychiatric zation programmes
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
The FACT office
torture is offered to heads of dis-
trict hospitals, police officers and
prison wardens. Schoolchildren,
community-based organisations,
the Local
Defence Force and prisoners are
also offered training. Our EU
project in the Great Lakes region
is training up to 320 legal, medical
and psychological professionals to
assist victims of torture.
Research
We have conducted research on
human right abuses in prisons and
best practices on gender based
violence in Rwanda.
Legal
We provide legal assistance to vic-
tims of torture and violence, includ-
ing sexual gender based violence.
If we do not have the necessary
expertise, we refer them to our ap-
propriate partners.
Prevention
Our awareness raising has in-
formed thousands of people on
issues of torture and violence, and
their consequences, which works
as a preventive method for future
acts. A good example is the human
rights clubs we have helped to es-
tablish in many schools.
106
Information and advocacy Contact
We have disseminated information Kubaho Plaza Building, Kacyiru
729
on torture and violence, but real- Kigali
ise we need to do this even more. Rwanda
Advocacy work in schools, prisons
BP 4580
and with the police force has great- Kigali
ly raised awareness on the issue. Rwanda
Phone: +250 830 5707; +250 830
Networking 505 780
We network with East African cen- Fax: +250 511 831
fact@rwanda1.com; factrwa@
tres and participate in the new Af- yahoo.com
rican Network initiative. FACT also www.fact.org.rw
works closely with partner SOPROP
Established
and AVRA. FACT also has offices in 1999
Burundi and Congo.
Director(s)
Board of Directors: Dr Davis
Funding Kashaka Karegeya (chairman),
Our main donors are ICCO Nether- Metre Rutabigwa, Dr Ruduviko
lands, Cordaid, CVT, IRCT, UNVFVT, Ruhirwa
American Embassy in Rwanda, IRC Contact person(s)
Rwanda, South African Embassy, Dr Charles Ntare, Executive
NOVA-USA, UNIFEM, the EU and Secretary
other member contributions. Staff
1 executive secretary
2 advocacy workers
Future plans
1 accountant
We are currently in the process of 1 project manager
restructuring and reforming FACT: 2 manager/cousellors
1 social worker
our staff, board, profile and struc- 1 doctor (part-time)
ture and our communication strat- 1 lawyer (part-time)
egy. We look forward to completing 1 psychiatrist (part-time)
1 psychologist (part-time)
this process and continuing our and many volunteers
work on the prevention and reha-
bilitation of victims of torture. Working language(s)
English, French, Kinyarwanda
Number of clients treated per year
32 primary torture victims
121 secondary torture victims
150 other clients
Senegal
VIVRE/CAPREC – VIVRE (Rehabilitating Victims of Violence)
is the health care centre of CAPREC (African Centre for the
Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts)
Staff at VIVRE Centre and participants at the Participants at a talk/debate on torture
Sub-Saharan centres meeting in Senegal
Primary objective(s)
• Address the health care needs
of victims of violence, conflict,
and all forms of torture through
medical and psychological care
as well as financial, legal, and
social service assistance
• Educate the public about re-
specting human rights in Af-
rica
• Fight torture, violence and in-
humane treatment
• Reach out to victims of torture in
prisons/police detention, refu-
gees, and victims of social, po-
litical, racial persecution.
Treatment
Since 2000, VIVRE has reached
more than 1,500 torture victims,
survivors of war and other forms
of systematic violence. Clients re-
ferred to the centre are examined
by the general practitioner and
medication is given or prescribed.
Sometimes clients are referred to
specialists in gynaecology, psy-
chiatry or radiology. Every week
a therapy group is organised for
20 clients by the psychologist,
the social worker and the general
practitioner, at which they discuss
psychological, social, medical and
legal problems with the clients.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy
Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Legal
The centre provides legal assist-
ance for asylum seekers.
Documentation
All information concerning clients
(name, nationality, age, gender, sta-
tus) is recorded. A routine statistical
registration of treatment activities
has been developed, and the file is
routinely updated by the doctor.
Prevention
VIVRE’s activities in the field of
prevention include raising aware-
ness, organising protest marches,
celebrating 10 December and 26
June, as well as training sessions
for the military, local officials and
trade unions. Since 2001, the cen-
tre has been responsible for a se-
ries of public meetings, workshops
and seminars. It has developed a
dissemination programme for the
Istanbul Protocol targeting the
general population, military, po-
lice and prison personnel.
Information and advocacy
VIVRE has organised various public
meeting and seminars. Staff have
written articles for local newspa-
pers and organised press confer-
ences, in order to draw attention
to human rights violations.
107
Networking Contact
VIVRE collaborates with local NGOs Quartier Grand Standing
Rte de Sofraco
such as TOSTAN ONDH, RADI and Thiès
RADDHO. Internationally, VIVRE is Sénégal
a member of Réseau Ouest Africain -----
Quartier Grand Standing
des professionnels de Santé contre Boite Postale 589
la Torture, and collaborates with Thies
Senegal
both the ICAR Foundation - Medical
Rehabilitation Center for Torture Phone: +221 33 952 18 00; +221
Victims (Romania) and AVRE - As- 33 951 23 40
Mobile: +221 77 569 14 19
sociation for the Victims of Repres- Fax: +221 33 951 23 40; +221 33
sion in Exile (France). VIVRE also 952 18 00
coordinate activities and services caprecvivre@orange.sn;
bambacabmed@sentoo.sn;
with human rights and rehabilita- sidikikaba@orange.sn.sn
tion organisations and has links
with institutions working for wom- Established
2001
en, children, prisoners, etc.
Director(s)
Funding Dr Bamba Diop, Directeur Executif
et Medical; Me. Sidiki Kaba, Presi-
Funding is received from the UN- dent du Conseil d’Administration;
VFVT and OAK Foundation, OIF and Mme. Dieynaba Dieng Ndoye,
KIOS. Chargee de Programme; Pr. Ma-
bassa Fall, Responsable du Center
de Formation
Future plans
Contact person(s)
Continuation of medical, social
Dr Bamba Diop, Directeur Executif
and legal services; open another et Medical; Me. Sidiki Kaba, Presi-
centre in West Africa; establish an dent du Conseil d’Administration;
Mme. Dieynaba Dieng Ndoye,
information centre for the general Chargee de Programme; Pr. Ma-
public, schools, etc.; and translate bassa Fall, Responsable du Center
the Istanbul Protocol into the six de Formation
national languages of Senegal. Staff
2 physicians
1 psychiatrist
1 nurse
1 medical secretary
2 social workers/welfare officers
1 programme officer
1 accountant
1 cleaner
2 guards
1 lawyer
1 legal trainer
Working language(s)
French, Wolof
Number of clients treated per year
150 primary torture victims
100 secondary torture victims
250 other clients
Serbia
IAN Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IAN CRTV)
Press conference 26 June 2008
Primary objective(s)
• To improve the quality of life,
mental health and physical
well being of torture survivors
and their families in Serbia and
the region
• To contribute to the prevention
of torture, ill treatment and im-
punity through a concerted ac-
tion of civil society actors and
public institutions
• To provide comprehensive
rehabilitation services for
torture survivors and their
family members, including psy-
chotherapeutic, medical and
legal support and vocational
skills training.
Treatment
Main activities include comprehen-
sive rehabilitation of war-trauma-
tized people, torture survivors and
family members, and other vulner-
able groups through provision of:
(1) psychotherapeutic assistance
– psychological and psychiatric
diagnostic and treatment - individ-
ual, group, family psychotherapy
(supported with free-of-charge
medicaments) in the centre or dur-
ing mobile team visit, and SOS
counselling; (2) medical assist-
ance - diagnostic, general medical,
internist and cardiologic examina-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: educational
Psychiatric assistance, IT courses
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Performance 26 June 2008
tion and treatment; (3) legal as-
sistance - legal advice and in-court
representation, help with personal
documents and status; (4) educa-
tional assistance including English
and IT courses.
Training
Vulnerable persons may receive
free IT courses for acquiring inter-
nationally recognised ECDL certifi-
cates (Office, web and graphic de-
sign) and free courses in English,
life skills and entrepreneurship.
The work of IAN’s educational team
includes treatment approaches to
stress, trauma and PTSD.
Research
IAN conducts scientific research
through: analysis of the data col-
lected in daily work with trauma-
tised clients and inter-disciplinary
studies within a consortium of
institutions in Serbia and abroad.
Current active research projects
are: (1) STOP – Treatment seeking
and outcomes in people suffering
from PTSD following war and mi-
gration in the Balkans; (2) PBPTSD
– Psychobiology of Posttraumatic
Stress Disorders.
Documentation
Since the early beginning of IAN, all
108
programmes have been followed Contact
by highly standardised assess- Admirala Geprata Street no. 10
11000 Belgrade
ment and research. Comprehen- Serbia
sive data on the effects of war re-
lated trauma and consequences on Phone: +381 11 3617 197; +381 11
3617 205
mental health have been collected; Mobile: + 381 63 264 491(2)
databases contain valuable infor- Fax: +381 11 3617 243
crtv@ian.org.yu
mation for more than 11,000 war
www.ian.org.yu
affected persons.
Established
2000
Information and advocacy
Raising public awareness about Director(s)
the reality of torture and advo- Vladimir Jovic MD, PhD, Psycho-
analyst, IAN Executive Director;
cacy involves organising public Branko Vujadinovic, Psychologist,
campaigns and publication of data IAN CRTV Director
regarding torture and its conse-
Contact person(s)
quences in professional journals, Branko Vujadinovic, Psycholo-
as well as in newspapers for public gist, IAN CRTV Director; Jelena
use, and commemoration of the Bakalic, Psychologist, Psycho-
drama psychotherapist, IAN CRTV
UN Day in Support of Victims of Programme Coordinator
Torture. Efforts are focused also
on promotion of OPCAT importance Staff
3 psychiatrists
in Serbia and advocacy for ratifica- 6 psychologists
tion of OPCAT in BiH. 1 special pedagogues
1 lawyers
1 medical doctor
Networking 1 field worker
IAN is a member of the Balkan Net- 3 economists
work (BAN) and is involved in the Working language(s)
European Network of Rehabilita- Serbian, English
tion Centers for Survivors of Tor-
Number of clients treated per year
ture. 390 primary torture victims
166 secondary torture victims
Funding 119 other clients
Funding comes from CAFOD, the EU
and UNVFVT.
Sierra Leone
Community Association for Psychosocial Services (CAPS)
CAPS staff
Primary objective(s)
• To identify, organise and imple-
ment needed educational and
psycho-social activities
• To organise and deliver profes-
sional training in psycho-social
activities
• To promote and improve upon
the human rights environment
of the population of Sierra
Leone
• To collaborate with other psy-
chosocial agencies in facilitat-
ing the reintegration of vulner-
able peoples
• To improve the general welfare
and socio-cultural development
of our target communities.
Documentation
CAPS documents clients’ informa-
tion for future research using one-,
three-, six- and twelve-month as-
sessment forms to help determine
the symptoms’ reduction level in
the clients.
Prevention
CAPS conducts awareness rais-
ing activities in the communities
in which we operate. We train law
enforcement personnel within
government ministries, child pro-
tection agencies, medical/health
care personnel, teachers, local au-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
CAPS clients during the commemoration of the 26 June, the
UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
thorities and youth on the defini- Contact
tion and effects of torture, where it 29 Bona Street
Koidu
happens, who perpetrates torture, Kono
war trauma and its effects, and the Sierra Leone
work of CAPS in general.
26 Mofindor Road
Panguma Section – Kailahun
Information and advocacy Sierra Leone
CAPS participates in 26 June ac-
c/o CVT, 17 Sir Samuel Lewis Road
tivities and airs anti-torture pro- Freetown
grammes over the local radio. Sierra Leone
Phone: +232 76 703 180; +232 77
Networking 538 425; +232 76 651 222; +232
CAPS collaborates with other non- 76 663 542
caps_sleone@yahoo.com
governmental organisations and
government line ministries, child Established
protection agencies and human 2005
rights organisations. Director(s)
N/A
Funding
Contact person(s)
CAPS has received funding from Frederick S. Samm-Kumbaka,
the UNVFVT, the OAK Foundation, Program Coordinator; Edward
RCT, IRCT, CVT, PLAN West African M. Bockarie, Chairperson, Board
of Directors; Joseph Sam, Public
Regional Office (PLAN WARO) and Relations Officer
local membership contributions.
Staff
1 program coordinator
Future plans 1 finance manager
CAPS intends to continue the 1 logistics manager
1 database officer
planned activities but to expand 2 clinical supervisors
to other areas within Sierra Leone. 1 office manager
It also intends to add components 19 psychosocial counsellors
8 security guards
like physiotherapy, medical assist- 1 driver
ance to clients and after-care for
clients to help them better recover Working language(s)
English
and to re-adjust and fit into their
societies. Number of clients treated per year
102 primary torture victims
537 secondary torture victims
4157 other clients
109
South Africa
Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation/
Programme: Trauma and Transition Programme
(TTP) (CSVR)
Primary objective(s)
The mission of TTP is to have a func-
tional democracy where violence is
contained and people and commu-
nities thrive in a peaceful, caring
and safe society. This is achieved
through psychosocial interven-
tions, research, advocacy and lob-
bying within five strategic areas:
trauma clinic, refugees, torture,
crime and violence and unresolved
trauma.
Treatment
Treatment methods include brief
term supportive counselling, in-
depth therapy, psychosocial inter-
ventions, home visits and accompa-
niment to government agencies.
Training
We offer capacity building pro-
grammes for legal and health pro-
fessionals on working with torture.
We also offer training for profes-
sional counsellors and for govern-
ment agencies working with torture
survivors.
Research
We are currently one of the interna-
tional partners with RCT. Through
this partnership we are able to
exchange information on new de-
velopments in treatment and im-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
pact of treatment with the other with universities who invite us to Contact
partners. conduct educational programmes 23 Joriseen Street, 4th floor
Braamfontein, Johannesburg
on trauma and torture. We also of- South Africa
Documentation fer internships for trainee psychol-
Our current documentation of tor- ogists from Wits University as part P.O. Box 30778
Braamfontein, Johannesburg
ture cases in based on a paper filing of their formal university training. South Africa
system where all the information We are also a part of the following
Phone: +27 11 403 5102; +27 11
of the client including the detailed networks: National Consortium for
403 5103 ext. 124
assessment and process notes are Refugee Affairs and the Unaccom- Mobile: +27 83 337 1616
kept. We do not have a monitoring panied Minors Network and Force Fax: +27 11 403 7632
nmogapi@csvr.org.za
system for torture cases yet, but Migration Network. www.csvr.org.za
have received funding from RCT
through Danida to implement an Established
1998
electronic monitoring and evalua-
tion system for torture cases. Director(s)
Ahmed Motala, Director; Nom-
fundo Mogapi, Manager for TTP
Prevention
We offer educational programmes Contact person(s)
with prison officials, the police and Nomfundo Mogapi, Manager for
TTP
health professionals.
Staff
Information and advocacy 1 psychiatrists
3 psychologists
We are actively involved in govern- 1 psychiatric nurse
ment lobbying. Currently we are 2 social workers
1 counsellors
lobbying the government to ratify
1 administration
OPCAT. We also conduct research 1 accountant
that is used for advocacy purposes. 1 receptionist
2 interpreters
We have just completed research
on the health needs of exiled tor- Working language(s)
ture survivors in South Africa. English
Number of clients treated per year
Networking 134 primary torture victims
We are affiliated to Themba Lesizwe 9 secondary torture victims
119 other clients
– a national coalition for trauma
services providers. We work closely
110
South Africa
Trauma Centre of Survivors of Violence and Torture (TCSVT)
26 June activities by the TCSVT in South Africa
Primary objective(s)
• Provide informed, accessible,
preventative and curative men-
tal health services to individu-
als, communities and systems
affected by violence
• Research and develop best
practise models to inform our
interventions in rehabilitating
survivors
• Raise awareness with regard to
torture and human rights abus-
es and advocate with/on behalf
of survivors
• Address the impact of trauma
on the inter-generational level.
Treatment
TCSVT employs social workers and
psychologists who work as coun-
sellors. Treatment methods are
largely psychodynamic psycho-
therapy, with an emphasis on CBT;
others focus on a psychoanalytical
approach as well as alternative
methodologies such as narrative,
art and massage therapy. The cen-
tre is embarking on additional com-
munity development strategies as
we try to address “multiple wound-
edness” in our society.
Training
TCSVT trains frontline workers in
state departments, police, correc-
tional services, home affairs and
other refugee service organisa-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
26 June activities by the TCSVT in South Africa
tions. We have trained community
workers in disaster management,
and have a programme addressing
prevention of violence in schools.
Research
We have researched the skills that
helped IDPs leave safe sites after
the xenophobic attacks and what
caused people to remain/not re-
integrate into communities. We as-
sist the Human Science Research
Council with interviews in prisons
and a staff member is investigating
the psycho-social needs of second
generation survivors.
Legal
We do not have legal services but
have a very good referral system
and network with the Legal Aid Of-
fices as well as Lawyers for Human
Rights.
Documentation
Torture cases are referred to the
Independent Complaints Directo-
rate, a legal body mandated to in-
vestigate matters related to police
misconduct. We document cases
and survey newspapers for inci-
dents of torture.
Prevention
TCSVT commemorates World Refu-
gee Day with other service provid-
ers and 26 June, which involves our
111
clients and allows their voices to be Contact
heard for publicising the issue. Cowley House
126 Chapel Street
Woodstock 7925
Information and advocacy Cape Town
South Africa
Updated information booklets con-
tain information about: responses Phone: +27 21 465 7373
to trauma; citizens’ rights, when Fax: +27 21 462 3143
www.trauma.org.za
under arrest and how to access
redress; and the Refugee Act and Established
accessible services for refugees. 1993
Director(s)
Networking Ms Vimlay Pillay
We network with organisations,
Contact person(s)
e.g. CVT, UNICEF and Amnesty. Na- Miriam Fredericks
tionally we are a founding member
of a network concentrating on tor- Staff
5 social workers
ture rehabilitation and prevention. 8 psychologists
Locally we are a member of Tutu- 5 administrative staff
mike and gender networks.
Working language(s)
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
Funding
Number of clients treated per year
Funding has come from the EU,
100 primary torture victims
OAK/Rausing Foundation, UN- 100 secondary torture victims
VFVT, Open Society, Norwegian 1286 other clients
Church Aid, the South African Gov-
ernment, Department Of Social De-
velopment, Amnesty International,
UNICEF.
Future plans
Develop strong monitoring and
evaluation; more community-based
interventions; sharpen research
strategies to address clients using
evidence based interventions.
Sri Lanka

Family Rehabilitation Centre (FRC)

Staff of the FRC

Primary objective(s) a regular and systematic basis to Contact

• Treat and rehabilitate torture
victims
• Carry out awareness pro-
grammes to prevent torture
• Reintegration and resettlement
of the victims through commu-
nity participation
• Strengthening of the grassroots
level organisation through an
empowerment programme
• Strengthening of the network-
ing mechanism at the national
and international level.
Treatment
FRC provides medical, psychother-
apeutic and prosthetic care and
assistance to victims of torture
enhance the capacity of the staff in 73, Gregory’s Road
Colombo 07
order to ensure the quality of serv- Sri Lanka
ice. In addition external courses
and in overall project management Phone: +94 11 269 8441
Fax: +94 11 269 8441
is done as a part of on-the-job frcsl@slt.lk
training. www.frcsl.org
Established
Research 1992
Plans are afoot to commence a re-
Director(s)
search programme. Desmond Fernando pc, Chairman;
Sandamal Rajapakse, Secretary;
Legal Deepika Udagama; M.M. Ismail; T.
Gadambanathan; Kala Shikan-
Legal activities occur through thini Attanayake; Gunaratne
networking with relevant organi- Wanninayake; Mano Ramanathan;
sations under the referrals pro- C.S. Nachchinarkiniyan
gramme. Contact person(s)
A Sara Poovendran, Chief Execu-
Documentation tive Officer

through regular and systematic Documentation is an integral part Staff

weekly clinics at all of the opera- of FRC’s main plan. 1 chief executive officer
tional districts. The model of treat- 1 project coordinator
1 finance manager
ment is individual based. All clients Networking 1 accountant
who are in need of advanced treat- FRC is a member of the Consortium 1 monitoring and evaluation
officer
ment are referred to specialists in for Humanitarian Agencies in Co-
1 secretary
the respective sectors. lombo and an active member of the 1 book keeper
district level NGO consortia in the 1 multi-duty clerk
1 driver
Training eight districts. 1 care taker
Structured courses in advanced 1 office labourer
counselling, development of com- Future plans 9 counsellors
16 field officers
munication skills, monitoring and To become self sustainable through 16 community volunteer workers
evaluation, networking with gov- inter-dependency. 8 medical doctors
ernment/NGOs and project qual- 8 physiotherapists
8 pharmacists
ity management are conducted on
Working language(s)
Sinhala, English, Tamil
Services Number of clients treated per year
Medical Psychological 5268 primary, secondary and
Physiotherapy other clients
Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

112
Sudan
Amel Center for Treatment & Rehabilitation for
Torture Victims (ACTRTV)
Training in Human Rights for women, Kalma
IDPs camp
Primary objective(s)
• Medical treatment, rehabilita-
tion programme and legal aid
for victims of torture
• Capacity building for staff, NGOs
and torture survivors on preven-
tion and human rights education
• Monitoring, documenting and
reporting on human rights vio-
lations and abuses in Sudan
• Raising awareness and report-
ing on the rights of women and
children and prisoners
• Advocacy on national and in-
ternational levels about the hu-
man rights situation in Sudan.
Treatment
The centre has three branches:
Nyala, South Darfur; Elfashir, North
Darfur; and Elgenina, West Darfur.
Treatment and rehabilitation for
victims of torture is provided, in-
cluding psychological and physical
treatment, and different methods
of counselling by well trained social
workers and doctors.
Training
Amel Center’s training attempts to
influence those who have the pos-
sibility of protecting human rights.
This includes training for law en-
forcement personnel on the treat-
ment of prisoners; the judiciary on
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training in Human Rights for women, Kalma
IDPs camp
national and international stand-
ards for fair trials; and paralegals
to provide essential services and
support to IDPs.
Research
Research is being undertaken on
nomadic populations, street chil-
dren and the prison situation in
Sudan.
Legal
The centre provides legal represen-
tation and counsel to victims of tor-
ture to seek reparation and redress;
to women and men who were vic-
tims of systematic rape and sexual
violence particularly under the pre-
text of the conflict in Darfur and the
South; to common criminals at risk
of receiving degrading or inhuman
punishment; and to street children
in Sudan.
Documentation
The centre monitors, documents
and reports on human rights viola-
tions and abuses in Sudan, includ-
ing through an annual report on
torture in Sudan and other thematic
reports.
Information and advocacy
Advocacy and campaigning occurs
on national and international levels
113
and the centre disseminates infor- Contact
mation about the current human Khartoum North
P.O. Box 1116, code 13311
rights situation in Sudan with a Sudan
view to raising awareness about the
practice of torture and strengthen- Phone: +249 0912149974 +249
0912782049
ing the flow of information between, nagib15@yahoo.com;
and coordination of, civil society naserkmbl@yahoo.com;
amelcenter@hotmail.com
bodies. Target groups of advocacy
www.amelcentersudan.org
include victims of torture according
to CAT, IDPs in the Darfur region and Established
1999
victims of domestic violence.
Director(s)
Networking Dr Mustasa Ahmed Alseed,
Chairman; Dr Nagib Nagm Eldin
Amel Center is member of the AMAN Hassan, General Director
network, PHR and CVT (Minnesota)
and works closely with UN Special Contact person(s)
Dr Nagib Nagm Eldin, Naser
Rapporteurs and thematic man- Bashier Kambal
dates. It coordinates campaigns
with Amnesty International and hu- Staff
1 medical program director
man rights and legal aid networks. 1 senior social worker
2 social workers
Funding 1 coordinator
1 lawyer
The centre is currently financed by 1 administration & documenta-
the EC through SOAT (Khartoum, tion
1 financial officer
Nyala and Fashir). The NED is fi-
2 media officers
nancing the head office for some
workshops and the UNDP was sup- Working language(s)
English, Arabic
porting legal aid in Darfur through
SOAT. The centre and its staff have Number of clients treated per year
also received numerous awards. 1016 primary torture victims
644 secondary torture victims
200 other clients
Future plans
Focus on new programme on do-
mestic violence; new centre in
south Sudan.
Sweden
The Red Cross Centre for Tortured Refugees
Primary objective(s)
• Alleviate post-torture suffer-
ing through the treatment of
physical and psychological se-
quelae
• Enhance the self-esteem, and
restore the dignity and identity,
of the torture victim
• Assist refugees with the pos-
sibility of living a normal life
physically, psychologically and
socially
• Disseminate knowledge on
trauma and torture sequelae.
Treatment
Treatment is offered to victims of
torture who are residents in the
Stockholm County and who have a
residence permit. Services offered
include medical and psychiatric
treatment, psychotherapy, psycho-
social work and physiotherapy.
Training
Training – through teaching, super-
vision, counselling, lectures and
seminars – is offered to health care
professionals and others who come
into contact with tortured refugees.
The centre also hosts educational
visits and provides consultative
services to professionals.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Legal some are available on the centre’s Contact
The centre provides assistance in website. Göta Ark 180
118 72 Stockholm
family reunification cases and has Visiting address: Medborgarplat-
close co-operation with lawyers Networking sen 25
working with refugee cases. Centre bylaws stipulate that the
Phone: +46 8 772 19 80
centre is to counteract torture and Fax: +46 8 772 19 97
Documentation its effects, for example through in- E-mail: info-rkc@redcross.se
www.redcross.se/rkcstockholm
Case histories and the course of ternational co-operation in confer-
treatment are documented in a ences and projects. Established
patient file based on a standard 1985
form corresponding to the clini- Funding Director(s)
cal interview. A routine statistical The main source of funding is the Rigmor Gillberg, Director
registration of treatment activi- Stockholm County Council. The
Contact person(s)
ties has been developed and each centre also receives funding from Rigmor Gillberg, Director
therapeutic session is registered in some municipalities in the Stock-
a statistical form. holm County and from the Euro- Staff
1 physician
pean Union. 1 psychiatrist
Prevention 2 psychologists
The centre organises lectures 4 social workers
1 legal advisor
and seminars on the impact of 1 administrator
torture and methods of treatment 2 medical secretaries
and gives lectures in schools and
Working language(s)
universities and to professionals Swedish
working with refugees. The centre
Number of clients treated per year
also has a project supporting a
280 primary torture victims
human rights organisation in Tur- 90 secondary torture victims
key. At the regional and national 0 other clients
level, the centre co-operates with
a number of organisations offering
counselling, aid and treatment to
torture survivors.
Information and advocacy
The centre has published a number
of scientific studies and articles;
114
Sweden

The Swedish Red Cross Center for Victims of Torture and

War, Malmoe

Staff of the Swedish Red Cross Center for Victims The premises in Malmoe, Sweden
of Torture and War, Malmoe

Primary objective(s)
• Prevent and alleviate human
suffering wherever it may oc-
cur, in order to protect life,
health and to ensure respect
for human beings
• Give priority to the most vulner-
able members of society
• Improve the health conditions
of asylum seekers and refugees
in Sweden who are severely
traumatised by war or are vic-
tims of Torture
• Ensure treatment from a holis-
tic perspective by a multi-pro-
fessional health team
• Promote human rights and
raise public awareness.
Treatment
The centre offers: (1) individual and
group psychotherapy; (2) medical
assessment and treatment; (3)
individual and group physiother-
apy; (4) support conversation; (5)
individual and group art therapy;
and (6) psycho-social work. Most
common torture methods include:
falanga, hanging in various po-
sitions, cigarette burns, sexual
violence, extreme cold and heat,
electric shocks, mock executions,
being forced to witness close rela-
tions or friends being tortured and
executed, beatings, starvation,
isolation, blindfolding, and pro- and other centres in Sweden, as Contact
longed periods in the dark. well as with centres abroad (i.e. Drottninggatan 2C
SE-212 11 Malmö
the IRCT, Denmark). Sweden
Training
This is an ongoing and important Funding Bangatan 3
Box 7079
part of our work. Target groups in- Funding is provided by the county SE-200 42 Malmö
clude: staff within the health serv- council of Skåne, the United Na- Sweden
ice, social workers, politicians, vol- tions Voluntary Fund for Victims of
Phone: +46 40 32 65 30
unteers for the Red Cross, medical Torture, the EU, the community of Fax: +46 40 32 65 31
students and students within the Malmoe, the Swedish inheritance rkc.malmo@redcross.se
www.redcross.se/rkcmalmo
university programme of social fund, the Red Cross, and various
welfare. other funds. Established
1988
Documentation Director(s)
We follow standard legal proce- Barbro O’Connor, Manager
dures for documentation. Each
Contact person(s)
patient has his/her own file with Barbro O’Connor, Manager
a case history and treatment plan.
Statistical data covering nationali- Staff
3 psychologists
ty, gender, age, number of patients 1 physician (part-time)
treated and number of completed 2 physiotherapists
treatments is collected. 2 social counsellors
1 secretary
Information and advocacy Working language(s)
Swedish
Staff at the Red Cross Centre regu-
larly produce publications regard- Number of clients treated per year
ing their work, and participate in 150 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
Nordic and international confer- 200 other clients
ences where methods of treatment
are presented.
Networking
The staff participate in various net-
working activities with staff from
the health service, the RC centres

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Red Cross volunteers offer
Psychiatric various kinds of social support
to patients
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

115
Sweden

The Swedish Red Cross Center for Victims of Torture and War,
Skövde (RKC)

From left to right, top row: Elisabeth Axelsson,

Director; Rosanne Macke-Alström, Psychothera-
pist; Gunnar Rehn, Psychologist.
From left to right, bottom row: Charlotta Berg,
Physiotherapist; Kjell Engström, Counsellor;
Catharina Karlsson, Social Worker; Lyhanne Will-
nerth, Secretary/Assistant.
Missing in the picture: Kerstin Jaeckel, Psycho-
therapist

Primary objective(s) Documentation Contact

• Treat and alleviate the after-ef- Documentation of torture sequelae Mariestadsvägen 90A
541 45 Skövde
fects of torture and war trauma, according to the Istanbul Protocol Sweden
for individuals and families is offered when it is of great legal
• Advocate for the right to asy- import and when it is possible to Phone:+46 500 424 995
Fax:+46 500 424 991
lum, rehabilitation and treat- offer the necessary medical ex- rkc.skovde@redcross.se
ment, and redress, where pos- amination. www.redcross.se
sible
Established
• Act to prevent torture through 1991
imparting information to the
Director(s)
public Elisabeth Axelsson
• Act to prevent atrocities of war
through imparting information Contact person(s)
Elisabeth Axelsson
to the public
• Create understanding and em- Staff
pathy towards victims of tor- 4 psychologists/psychothera-
pists/counsellors
ture and war among those who 1 social worker
meet them. 1 physiotherapist
1 secretary/assistant
1 medical doctor (vacant)
Treatment
Treatment is given mainly through Working language(s)
psychotherapy, with varying tech- Swedish, English, interpreters for
other languages
niques used. Complementary treat-
ment through physiotherapy is Number of clients treated per year
120 primary, secondary and
offered to some patients. Medical
other clients
treatment is given outside the cen-
tre, in collaboration with the ordi-
nary health services. Social work is
required in many cases, to ensure
proper legal treatment of asylum
cases, to ease communication with
other authorities, to assist with pro-
viding contact with specially edu-
cated voluntary workers, etc.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

116
Sweden

Swedish Red Cross Centre for Victims of Torture, Uppsala

Primary objective(s)
• Improve the health conditions
of asylum seekers and refugees
severely traumatized by war or
torture
• Provide holistic treatment by a
multi-professional health care
team
• Enhance patients’ self-esteem
and restore their dignity and
identity
• Prevent and alleviate human
suffering, to protect life, health
and ensure respect for human
beings
• Promote human rights and
raise public awareness.
Treatment
The RKC provides treatment and
rehabilitation services for tortured
and war traumatized refugees and
asylum seekers and their families.
This includes psychotherapy in-
cluding EMDR, counselling, psy-
cho-education on trauma, psychi-
atric assessment and treatment,
physiotherapy, volunteer psycho-
social support, access to Red Cross
“Traffpunkten” and counselling on
the asylum process and family re-
unification matters.
Training
Training and supervision is offered
to health care professionals and
others who come into contact with
persons who have been tortured
or traumatized by war. The tar-
get groups are physicians, social
workers, migration authorities,
adult education programmes and
donors.
Research
Research on asylum seekers as
part of the EU EQAL Program is car-
ried out within the national AROS
ASYL and the trans-national AVE
partnership established in 2004.
On the national level, research is
conducted at Uppsala University,
Department of Cultural Anthropol-
ogy and Ethnology.
Documentation
Records are kept in accordance
with the laws and procedures of
the Swedish health services. Each
patient file contains a case his-
tory, treatment plan, progress and
outcome. Statistical data regard-
ing nationality, gender, age, type
of torture and legal status is also
collected.
Prevention
The centre organises lectures and
seminars on the consequences of
torture and methods of treatment.
Members of staff give lectures
at Uppsala University, in schools
and to professionals working with
refugees. Seminars and supervi-
sion is offered to Red Cross volun- Contact
teers. The centre cooperates with Trädgårdsgatan 16 I
75 309 Uppsala
a number of organisations on the Sweden
regional and national levels.
Phone: +46 18 18 75 63
Fax: +46 18 18 75 61
Information and advocacy rkc.uppsala@redcross.se
Members of staff regularly produce http://www.redcross.se
publications regarding our work. Established
We participate in national and in- 1996
ternational conferences on treat-
Director(s)
ment methods. Carl-Pether Wirsén
Networking Contact person(s)
Olga Klauber, Psychologist/psy-
The centre is engaged in the na- chotherapist
tional AROS ASYL and the trans-
national AVE partnership, both Staff
1 director
established in 2004 under the Asy- 2.5 psychologist/psycho-
lum Seekers Theme of the EU EQAL therapist
Program. One of the common AVE 0.5 physiotherapist/psycho-
therapist
objectives is to create an EU net- 0.1 psychiatrist
work concerning asylum seekers. 1 secretary
Working language(s)
Funding Swedish, English, Persian, Czech
Current sources of funding are the
Number of clients treated per year
European Union, UNVFVT, Uppsala (not available)
County Council, General Inherit-
ance Fund and local Red Cross
branches.
Future plans
Increase training, counselling and
educational activities to other ac-
tors; develop psychosocial work
through volunteers.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: as a complement to
Psychiatric professional treatment, Red
Cross volunteers also offer differ-
Referrals ent types of social support
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

117
Switzerland

Consultation for Victims of Torture and War (CTG)

Primary objective(s) Legal a member of the European network Contact

• Medical care
• Psychological support and psy-
chosocial support
• Psychotherapy
• Physiotherapy
• Medico-legal documentation.
Treatment
CTG utilises an interdisciplinary,
coordinated approach, offering
joint treatment of somatic, psycho-
logical and psychosocial sequels
of organised violence. The centre
treats any survivor of organised
violence, not limited by adminis-
trative status. The centre organ-
ises specific treatment of the con-
sequences of violence cumulated
with the difficulties of migration
and integration.
Training
Training is given for health profes-
sionals, social workers and admin-
istrative personnel at the local and
international level. Training is also
offered to NGO members working
with survivors of violence.
Research
Research is conducted on the im-
pact of treatment and on follow-up
of clients.
The centre produces medical re-
ports and collaborates with law-
yers and NGOs offering legal as-
sistance to survivors of torture.
Documentation
CTG documents torture, war and
organised violence sequels, and
adjusts medico-legal documents
to the evolution of administrative
requirements in the asylum proce-
dures.
Prevention
CTG conducts sensitisation and
training of professionals working
with survivors of violence: asy-
lum seekers, refugees, clandes-
tine workers or nationals, at the
national and international level.
The centre believes that defence
of rehabilitation is the first step of
prevention.
Information and advocacy
The centre participates in work-
shops, roundtables and seminars
on organised violence at the na-
tional and international level.
Networking
CTG works in collaboration with
Swiss rehabilitation centres, and is
of rehabilitation centres. 24 Rue Micehlis du Crest
CH-1211 Genève 14
Switzerland
Funding
Funding comes from the Swiss Red- Phone: +41 22 372 53 27
Llaurent.subilia@hcuge.ch
Cross, Geneva University Hospital
and the UNVFVT. Established
1990
Future plans Director(s)
New facilities offered by Geneva Dr Laurent Subilia
University Hospital; extension of Contact person(s)
team and strengthening of treat- Dr Laurent Subilia; Dr Guillaume
ment capacities limited at present Bron-Schwartz
by major funding difficulties. Staff
2 physicians
(general practitioners, 1 full-
- and 1 part-time)
2 psychologists (part-time)
Working language(s)
French
Number of clients treated per year
60 primary torture victims
30 secondary torture victims
60 other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

118
Switzerland
Outpatient Clinic for Victims of Torture and War (AFK),
Swiss Red Cross
Primary objective(s)
• To offer interdisciplinary con-
sultations and treatment to
traumatised migrants, their
families and relatives
• To conduct research and docu-
mentation, further education
and training for those dealing
with refugees
• To perform referral services
and make arrangements for
those who cannot be cared for
at the centre.
Treatment
Patients treated at the outpatient
clinic include migrants with trau-
matic experiences of war and tor-
ture. The main goal of the therapy
can be characterised as empower-
ment, i.e. helping torture victims to
renounce the role of victim and lead
them towards an active life as tor-
ture survivors. The approach used
comprises a interdisciplinary and
multi-modal therapy in which the
patient’s familiy is included.
Training
During 2007, approximately 50
lectures and workshops were con-
ducted in various settings (health
care, social security and civil serv-
ice).
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
In collaboration with the Univer-
sity of Berne, a study on “Patient-
therapist value discrepancy and
its relation to therapeutic alliance
and outcome in cross-cultural psy-
chotherapies” is conducted by the
centre. First results are expected at
the beginning of 2009.
Documentation
A comprehensive library of rel-
evant books on war and torture
experiences and therapy has
been established. Documentation
of individual cases of treatment
comprising the patient’s history,
treatment, repeated measures of
patient’s complaints, etc. is also
maintained.
Prevention
Prevention is the goal of the inten-
sive public relations work of the
centre. We are regularly involved
in the activities of the Swiss Red
Cross (SRC) on Human Rights Day
(10 December) and the UN Interna-
tional Day in Support of Victims of
Torture (26 June).
Information and advocacy
During 2007, several scientific
publications (papers, posters and
contributions to textbooks) were
119
produced. For the general public, Contact
we publish the newsletter “per- Outpatient Clinic for Victims of
Torture and War (AFK) Swiss Red
spective” twice a year. Further, the Cross
SRC published a comprehensive Werkstrasse 16
publication for general practition- 3084 Wabern bei Bern
Switzerland
ers and legal experts.
Phone: +41 31 960 77 77
Fax: +41 31 960 77 88
Networking
gi-ambulatorium@redcross.ch
Helpful working contracts have
been established with several Established
1995
treatment centres and human
rights organisations. Furthermore, Director(s)
the centre is engaged in continuing Angelika Louis
a consolidated Swiss trauma net- Contact person(s)
work with outpatient clinics in Zu- Angelika Louis
rich, Geneva and Lausanne.
Staff
1 director (business administra-
Funding tor)
Besides the operating revenues 1 medical director
1 social counselling director
from the health insurance the main 2 psychiatrists/psychothera-
financial support comes from the pists
Humanitarian Foundation of the 2 medical doctors
3 social workers
Swiss Red Cross. Further funding 2 psychotherapists
is provided by the Swiss Federal 1 research assistant
3 administrative secretaries
Office for Migration, the UNVFVT,
33 interpreters contracted on an
as well as other foundations, firms hourly basis
and private donors.
For trainees:
2 social workers
Future plans 2 psychotherapists
Intensifying of the professional
Working language(s)
exchange of the SRC-Clinic and German
the clinics in Zurich, Geneva and
Lausanne. Number of clients treated per year
310 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Turkey

Centre of Social Action, Rehabilitation and Readjustment

for the victims of torture (SOHRAM-CASRA)

Women and children attend a Mother’s Day celebration A tree-planting ceremony held to symbolise a positive
at the centre future

Primary objective(s)
• To assist victims of violence
with adaptation to a new life
• To provide psychological (psy-
chotherapeutic) rehabilita-
tion and medical treatment to
victims of torture. The target
group is children, women and
men between the ages of 7 and
60 who cannot afford the treat-
ment costs
(re)adaptation of torture survivors,
social security, legal rights and the
nature of work with refugees and
asylum seekers.
Research
Using surveys, questionnaires and
assessments, SOHRAM is conduct-
ing research on the contextual and
contingent nature of torture and
trauma related to violence.
human rights violations in Turkey. Contact
Reports covering information on Kurt Ismail pas 2. sokak Demiray
Apartmani Kat: 3 No: 9
applicants to SOHRAM, as well as 21100 Ofis
scientific studies on torture, have Diyarbakir
been published in Turkish and Turkey
French since 2001. SOHRAM and Phone: +90 412 224 44 77
other organisations dealing with Mobile phone: +90 532 345 34 42;
human rights issues, specifically +41 76 507 44 40
Fax: +90 412 228 88 80; +33 8 20
torture, organise campaigns on 26 48 35 12
June and 10 December every year. sohram@hotmail.com
www.sohram.com

• To contribute to improvement Networking Established

in the situation related to the
abuse of human rights, the
prevention of torture and reha-
bilitation of victims.
Treatment
SOHRAM has rehabilitation centres
in Diyarbakir and Siirt. SOHRAM
deals with individuals who have
experienced torture and present
psychological disorders and post-
traumatic suffering. Psychological
rehabilitation is paired with social
rehabilitation. We offer consulta-
tions on general medicine as well
as financial support for medicines.
SOHRAM deals with surgical op-
erations when necessary following
torture and maltreatment inflicted
during arrest or incarceration.
Training
SOHRAM trains staff and vol-
unteers on the different stages
and nature of rehabilitation, the
Legal
SOHRAM has one lawyer and one
legal volunteer and can offer legal
advice for victims of torture and
violence who have just filed their
cases. Our lawyer also assists with
seminars on the rights of children
and women.
Documentation
We have diagnostic and legal docu-
mentation about the patients with
whom we work. We are also moni-
toring alleged and reported cases
of torture. We have library and in-
formation services.
Prevention
We are providing education pro-
grammes for both adults and chil-
dren on legal rights and crime.
Information and advocacy
SOHRAM publishes one report and
monograph every year addressing
SOHRAM has a large network of 2000
national and international level re-
Director(s)
lations with human rights organi- M. Yavuz Binbay
sations, rehabilitation centres,
Contact person(s)
etc. We also have support from Yeter Yilmaz, Vice-Director
Switzerland Reintegration au Liue
d’Exile. Staff
1 medical doctor
3 psychologists
Funding 1 counsellor
Funding is received from UNVFVT, 2 social workers
1 nurse
OMCT, ProVictimis, ACAT Switzer- 1 lawyer
land and OAK. 1 secretary
1 medical secretary
1 administrative staff
Future plans 76 volunteers
Enlargement of SOHRAM’s reha-
bilitation programme; standardi- Working language(s)
Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic (Dialect
sation of treatment programmes regional), French
of SOHRAM through regular inter-
Number of clients treated per year
nal training sessions and supervi-
114 primary torture victims
sion of the clinical work. We aim to 38 secondary torture victims
transform our organisation to an 82 other clients
institute in the year 2010.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Psychotherapy, education
Psychiatric for children who have been abused
and/or whose families have been
Referrals subjected to torture
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

120
Turkey
Foundation for Social and Legal Studies (TOHAV)
Staff of TOHAV, Turkey
Primary objective(s)
• To absorb and to put the prin-
ciples of democracy and inter-
national law into social and
governmental life
• To abolish barriers to individ-
ual social,economic, cultural
and national development and
reach a concept of unrestrained,
democratic, participative and
emancipative law
• To provide free medical and
psychological treatment for
torture survivors and members
of their families
• To document the physical and
mental health of torture survi-
vors and advocate for preven-
tion of torture
• To offer education and training
for those with no knowledge
about the consequences of tor-
ture in Turkey.
Treatment
TOHAV provides medical, psy-
chiatric, psychotherapeutic and
physiotherapy treatment, as well
as psychosocial and legal counsel-
ling, to victims of torture and their
close relatives. Our treatment pro-
gramme is based on a pre-diag-
nosis derived from a physical ex-
amination upon admission of the
patient. Thereafter the diagnosis
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
is completed using other neces- with books and reports. The centre Contact
sary examination methods such as compiles its own medical and legal Turnacıbasi sk. No: 39/3-4-5
Beyoğlu
laboratory tests, radiological and documentation. Istanbul
specialist exams. Finally, under co- Turkey
ordination of the doctor in charge Prevention
Phone: +90 212 293 47 70;
of the centre, an individual therapy TOHAV prevention activities are di- +90 212 293 47 71
programme is elaborated and ap- rected towards monitoring torture Mobile: +90 533 769 27 55
Fax: +90 212 293 47 72
plied for each patient. One of the in law enforcement structures:
tohav@mynet.com
centre’s team is a neurologist, who public awareness activities; semi- www.tohav.org
contributes to the examination and nars for NGOs, media campaigns,
Established
therapy programme. publications. TOHAV has published 1994
books covering all our research
Training about prevention of torture. TOHAV Director(s)
Sehnaz Turan
Education activities for prevention also has published an instruction
of torture have been held in the cit- manual and report to the UN on pre- Contact person(s)
ies of Van and Istanbul in interna- vention of torture. Dr. Veysi Ülgen, Project
Coordinator
tional standards. Moreover in 2008
a panel was held on the Optional Networking Staff
Protocol. TOHAV cooperates with relevant 1 project coordinator
1 medical doctor
governmental bodies, NGOs and 1 neurologist
Legal mental health organisations. TO- 1 physician
In order to create “prevention and HAV is a member of the Public De- 1 social worker
1 psychologist
protection” mechanisms for vic- fender’s Board for monitoring hu- 3 lawyers
tims of human rights violations, man rights violations. 1 accountant
1 researcher
TOHAV helps people or institutions
in their efforts to seek redress and Working language(s)
provides advisory and assistance Turkish, Kurdish
service in internal and supra-na- Number of clients treated per year
tional legal mechanisms like the 100 primary torture victims
European Court for Human Rights 23 secondary torture victims
27 other clients
for victims of human rights viola-
tions.
Documentation
TOHAV operates a small library
121
Turkey
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT) – Adana
Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre
Team of the HRFT, Adana
Primary objective(s)
• To help torture survivors regain
their health, both physically
and psychologically
• To abolish torture and impu-
nity in Turkey as well as in the
world
• To promote human rights.
Treatment
The HRFT operates five centres in
Turkey. All applications are made
by applicants themselves, follow-
ing referral by various NGOs and
individuals. Interviews are con-
ducted by social workers then ap-
plicants are referred to the physi-
cians and psychiatrists. Families of
torture survivors are also provided
rehabilitation services.
Training
A psychotherapeutic programme
is done with the “Süddeutsche
Akademie für Psychotherapie”.
HRFT planned training on psycho-
therapy for psychiatrists and psy-
chologists. Training also occurs
on the Istanbul Protocol together
with the IRCT, WMA, PHR-USA; on
care for caregivers; as part of the
OPCAT campaign; and through
various conferences, seminars,
student trainings and exchange
programmes.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
Research activities consist of:
measuring the quality of life of the
torture survivors, functional reha-
bilitation held during the chronic
phase of Wernicke Encephalopa-
thy that results from long-term
hunger.
Documentation
Applicants receive a file consisting
of an epicrisis (paper and compu-
ter), a data file (computer) and a
visual file including photographs
and findings of imaging studies.
Prevention
HRFT has recently conducted a
campaign for the ratification of OP-
CAT in Turkey. There is an ongoing
project for prevention of torture:
“Review of legislation on torture
and implementation of it during
EU harmonization process in Tur-
key and training, providing legal
service and raising public aware-
ness in order to prevent torture in
Turkey”.
Information and advocacy
HRFT has published reports and
monographs on human rights,
information on applicants to the
HRFT and scientific studies on tor-
122
ture, in Turkish and English. HRFT Contact
organises numerous campaigns 19. Sok. Ferihan Tekeli Apt. A-Blok
Kat: 1 No: 23/2
on trials against human rights de- Kurtulus Mah - Adana
fenders and against torture on 26 Turkey
June and 10 December.
Phone: +90 322 457 65 99
Fax: +90 322 458 85 66
Networking tihvadana@yahoo.com
www.tihv.org.tr
The HRFT participates in a vari-
ety of national and international Established
networks with HR organisations, 1995
medical associations, rehabilita- Director(s)
tion centres, etc. We organise sup- Mustafa Cinkilic, Representative,
port and solidarity committees in Executive Board Member
different countries. Contact person(s)
Mustafa Cinkilic, Representative,
Funding Executive Board Member
Centres have been granted funds Staff
by the EC, UNVFVT, AI – Swiss and 1 physician
German sections, the Swedish Red 1 medical secretary
1 social worker
Cross and the Norwegian Helsinki 1 psychiatrist (volunteer)
Committee.
Working language(s)
Turkish
Future plans
HRFT plans to establish an institute Number of clients treated per year
117 primary torture victims
which will conduct diverse multi-
5 secondary torture victims
disciplinary activities: scientific 0 other clients
research, trainings, archives and
library, publishing and reporting,
information networks and reha-
bilitation.
Turkey
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT)
- Ankara Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre
Team of the HRFT, Ankara
Primary objective(s)
• To help torture survivors regain
their health, both physically
and psychologically
• To abolish torture and impu-
nity in Turkey as well as in the
world
• To promote human rights.
Treatment
The HRFT operates five centres in
Turkey. All applications are made
by applicants themselves, follow-
ing referral by various NGOs and
individuals. Interviews are con-
ducted by social workers then ap-
plicants are referred to the physi-
cians and psychiatrists. Families of
torture survivors are also provided
rehabilitation services.
Training
A psychotherapeutic programme
is done with the “Süddeutsche
Akademie für Psychotherapie”.
HRFT planned training on psycho-
therapy for psychiatrists and psy-
chologists. Training also occurs
on the Istanbul Protocol together
with the IRCT, WMA, PHR-USA; on
care for caregivers; as part of the
OPCAT campaign; and through
various conferences, seminars,
student trainings and exchange
programmes.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
President of the HRFT
Yavuz Önen (left) and
medical doctor Leyent
Kutlu
Research
Research activities consist of:
measuring the quality of life of the
torture survivors, functional reha-
bilitation held during the chronic
phase of Wernicke Encephalopa-
thy that results from long-term
hunger.
Documentation
Applicants receive a file consisting
of an epicrisis (paper and compu-
ter), a data file (computer) and a
visual file including photographs
and findings of imaging studies.
Prevention
HRFT has recently conducted a
campaign for the ratification of OP-
CAT in Turkey. There is an ongoing
project for prevention of torture:
“Review of legislation on torture
and implementation of it during
EU harmonization process in Tur-
key and training, providing legal
service and raising public aware-
ness in order to prevent torture in
Turkey”.
Information and advocacy
HRFT has published reports and
monographs on human rights,
information on applicants to the
HRFT and scientific studies on tor-
ture, in Turkish and English. HRFT
123
organises numerous campaigns Contact
on trials against human rights de- Akbas Mah. Sarica Sokak No:7/1
Altindag 06080 Ankara
fenders and against torture on 26 Turkey
June and 10 December.
Phone: +90 312 310 66 36
Fax: +90 312 310 64 63
Networking tihv@tihv.org.tr
The HRFT participates in a vari- www.tihv.org.tr
ety of national and international
Established
networks with HR organisations, 1995
medical associations, rehabilita-
Director(s)
tion centres, etc. We organise sup- Okan Akhan, Executive Board
port and solidarity committees in Member
different countries.
Contact person(s)
Okan Akhan, Executive Board
Funding Member
Centres have been granted funds
Staff
by the EC, UNVFVT, AI – Swiss and 1 physician
German sections, the Swedish Red 1 medical secretary
Cross and the Norwegian Helsinki 1 physician (volunteer)
1 psychiatrist (volunteer)
Committee.
Working language(s)
Future plans Turkish
HRFT plans to establish an institute Number of clients treated per year
which will conduct diverse multi- 43 primary torture victims
2 secondary torture victims
disciplinary activities: scientific
0 other clients
research, trainings, archives and
library, publishing and reporting,
information networks and reha-
bilitation.
Turkey
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT) - Diyarbakir
Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre
Team of the HRFT, Diyarbakir
Primary objective(s)
• To help torture survivors regain
their health, both physically
and psychologically
• To abolish torture and impu-
nity in Turkey as well as in the
world
• To promote human rights.
Treatment
The HRFT operates five centres in
Turkey. All applications are made
by applicants themselves, follow-
ing referral by various NGOs and
individuals. Interviews are con-
ducted by social workers then ap-
plicants are referred to the physi-
cians and psychiatrists. Families of
torture survivors are also provided
rehabilitation services.
Training
A psychotherapeutic programme
is done with the “Süddeutsche
Akademie für Psychotherapie”.
HRFT planned training on psycho-
therapy for psychiatrists and psy-
chologists. Training also occurs
on the Istanbul Protocol together
with the IRCT, WMA, PHR-USA; on
care for caregivers; as part of the
OPCAT campaign; and through
various conferences, seminars,
student trainings and exchange
programmes.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
Research activities consist of:
measuring the quality of life of the
torture survivors, functional reha-
bilitation held during the chronic
phase of Wernicke Encephalopa-
thy that results from long-term
hunger.
Documentation
Applicants receive a file consisting
of an epicrisis (paper and compu-
ter), a data file (computer) and a
visual file including photographs
and findings of imaging studies.
Prevention
HRFT has recently conducted a
campaign for the ratification of OP-
CAT in Turkey. There is an ongoing
project for prevention of torture:
“Review of legislation on torture
and implementation of it during
EU harmonization process in Tur-
key and training, providing legal
service and raising public aware-
ness in order to prevent torture in
Turkey”.
Information and advocacy
HRFT has published reports and
monographs on human rights,
information on applicants to the
HRFT and scientific studies on tor-
ture, in Turkish and English. HRFT
124
organises numerous campaigns Contact
on trials against human rights de- Lise Caddesi Eyyup Eser Apt.
No. 8/2
fenders and against torture on 26 Yenisehir - Diyarbakir
June and 10 December. Turkey
Phone: +90 412 228 26 61
Networking Fax: +90 412 228 24 76
The HRFT participates in a vari- tihvdbakir@ttnet.net.tr
www.tihv.org.tr
ety of national and international
networks with HR organisations, Established
medical associations, rehabilita- 1998
tion centres, etc. We organise sup- Director(s)
port and solidarity committees in Sezgin Tanrikulu, Representative
different countries.
Contact person(s)
Sezgin Tanrikulu, Representative
Funding
Centres have been granted funds Staff
1 physician
by the EC, UNVFVT, AI – Swiss and 1 medical secretary
German sections, the Swedish Red 1 psychiatrist (volunteer)
Cross and the Norwegian Helsinki 1 social worker
Committee. Working language(s)
Turkish
Future plans
Number of clients treated per year
HRFT plans to establish an institute 41 primary torture victims
which will conduct diverse multi- 2 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
disciplinary activities: scientific
research, trainings, archives and
library, publishing and reporting,
information networks and reha-
bilitation.
Turkey
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT) – Istanbul
Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre
Team of the HRFT, Istanbul
Primary objective(s)
• To help torture survivors regain
their health, both physically
and psychologically
• To abolish torture and impu-
nity in Turkey as well as in the
world
• To promote human rights.
Treatment
The HRFT operates five centres in
Turkey. All applications are made
by applicants themselves, follow-
ing referral by various NGOs and
individuals. Interviews are con-
ducted by social workers then ap-
plicants are referred to the physi-
cians and psychiatrists. Families of
torture survivors are also provided
rehabilitation services.
Training
A psychotherapeutic programme
is done with the “Süddeutsche
Akademie für Psychotherapie”.
HRFT planned training on psycho-
therapy for psychiatrists and psy-
chologists. Training also occurs
on the Istanbul Protocol together
with the IRCT, WMA, PHR-USA; on
care for caregivers; as part of the
OPCAT campaign; and through
various conferences, seminars,
student trainings and exchange
programmes.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
Research activities consist of:
measuring the quality of life of the
torture survivors, functional reha-
bilitation held during the chronic
phase of Wernicke Encephalopa-
thy that results from long-term
hunger.
Documentation
Applicants receive a file consisting
of an epicrisis (paper and compu-
ter), a data file (computer) and a
visual file including photographs
and findings of imaging studies.
Prevention
HRFT has recently conducted a
campaign for the ratification of OP-
CAT in Turkey. There is an ongoing
project for prevention of torture:
“Review of legislation on torture
and implementation of it during
EU harmonization process in Tur-
key and training, providing legal
service and raising public aware-
ness in order to prevent torture in
Turkey”.
Information and advocacy
HRFT has published reports and
monographs on human rights,
information on applicants to the
HRFT and scientific studies on tor-
ture, in Turkish and English. HRFT
125
organises numerous campaigns Contact
on trials against human rights de- Hocazade Sokak No: 8 Sira-
selviler cad.
fenders and against torture on 26 Beyoğlu – Istanbul
June and 10 December. Turkey
Phone: +90 212 249 30 92
Networking Fax: +90 212 251 71 29
The HRFT participates in a vari- tihv@tihvistanbul.org
www.tihv.org.tr
ety of national and international
networks with HR organisations, Established
medical associations, rehabilita- 1991
tion centres, etc. We organise sup- Director(s)
port and solidarity committees in Sükran Irencin, Representative,
different countries. Executive Board Member
Contact person(s)
Funding Sükran Irencin, Representative,
Centres have been granted funds Executive Board Member
by the EC, UNVFVT, AI – Swiss and Staff
German sections, the Swedish Red 3 physicians
Cross and the Norwegian Helsinki 1 medical secretary
1 psychiatrist
Committee. 1 social worker (volunteer)
Future plans Working language(s)
Turkish
HRFT plans to establish an institute
which will conduct diverse multi- Number of clients treated per year
185 primary torture victims
disciplinary activities: scientific
5 secondary torture victims
research, trainings, archives and 0 other clients
library, publishing and reporting,
information networks and reha-
bilitation.
Turkey

Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT) - İzmir

Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre

Team of the HRFT Izmir. From left to right, standing:

Coskun Usterci, Board member of HRFT, Administrative
Secretary; Aytul Ucar, Medical Secretary; Nazan Sakalli,
Legal Consultant; Dr. Alp Ayan, Psychiatrist. From left
to right, sitting: Hulya Ucpinar, Legal Project Coordina-
tor, Legal Consultant; Prof. Dr. Veli Lökk, HRFT Izmir
Representative, Orthopedist; Dr. Sema Ilhan, General
Practitioner; Nergiz Tuba Atas, Legal Consultant

Primary objective(s) Research organises numerous campaigns Contact

• To help torture survivors regain
their health, both physically
and psychologically
• To abolish torture and impu-
nity in Turkey as well as in the
world
• To promote human rights.
Treatment
The HRFT operates five centres in
Turkey. All applications are made
by applicants themselves, follow-
ing referral by various NGOs and
individuals. Interviews are con-
ducted by social workers then ap-
plicants are referred to the physi-
cians and psychiatrists. Families of
torture survivors are also provided
rehabilitation services.
Training
A psychotherapeutic programme
is done with the “Süddeutsche
Akademie für Psychotherapie”.
HRFT planned training on psycho-
therapy for psychiatrists and psy-
chologists. Training also occurs
on the Istanbul Protocol together
with the IRCT, WMA, PHR-USA; on
care for caregivers; as part of the
OPCAT campaign; and through
various conferences, seminars,
student trainings and exchange
programmes.
Research activities consist of:
measuring the quality of life of the
torture survivors, functional reha-
bilitation held during the chronic
phase of Wernicke Encephalopa-
thy that results from long-term
hunger.
Documentation
Applicants receive a file consisting
of an epicrisis (paper and compu-
ter), a data file (computer) and a
visual file including photographs
and findings of imaging studies.
Prevention
HRFT has recently conducted a
campaign for the ratification of OP-
CAT in Turkey. There is an ongoing
project for prevention of torture:
“Review of legislation on torture
and implementation of it during
EU harmonization process in Tur-
key and training, providing legal
service and raising public aware-
ness in order to prevent torture in
Turkey”.
Information and advocacy
HRFT has published reports and
monographs on human rights,
information on applicants to the
HRFT and scientific studies on tor-
ture, in Turkish and English. HRFT
on trials against human rights de- 1432. Sokak Eser Apartmanı No:
5/10 35230
fenders and against torture on 26 Alsancak – İzmır
June and 10 December. Turkey
Phone: +90 232 463 46 46
Networking Fax: +90 232 463 91 47
The HRFT participates in a vari- tihvizm@dsl.ttnet.net.tr
www.tihv.org.tr
ety of national and international
networks with HR organisations, Established
medical associations, rehabilita- 1991
tion centres, etc. We organise sup- Director(s)
port and solidarity committees in Professor Veli Lök, Director,
different countries. Representative
Contact person(s)
Funding Professor Veli Lök, Representative
Centres have been granted funds
Staff
by the EC, UNVFVT, AI – Swiss and 2 physicians (part-time)
German sections, the Swedish Red 1 medical secretary
Cross and the Norwegian Helsinki 1 psychiatrist
1 social worker
Committee. 2 lawyers
Future plans Working language(s)
Turkish
HRFT plans to establish an institute
which will conduct diverse multi- Number of clients treated per year
79 primary torture victims
disciplinary activities: scientific
4 secondary torture victims
research, trainings, archives and 0 other clients
library, publishing and reporting,
information networks and reha-
bilitation.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

126
Uganda
African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of
Torture Victims (ACTV)
ACTV receives award from the Uganda Human
Rights Commission (2008)
Primary objective(s)
• To provide quality holistic
treatment and rehabilitation
services
• To advocate for the prevention
of torture and provision of serv-
ices to torture victims
• To strengthen the institutional
and organisational capacity
of ACTV to effectively and effi-
ciently deliver on her mandate.
Treatment
The medical treatment team and
lawyer provide free legal advice,
physical and psychological care
that supports the process of re-
habilitation of victims of torture
perpetrated by security agencies
or rebels in Uganda and in neigh-
bouring countries. ACTV is the
only human rights organisation in
Uganda that runs a medical centre
offering treatment to victims of
torture. ACTV is accredited by the
Ministry of Health.
Training
ACTV has provided training for doc-
tors, lawyers, paramedics and pa-
ralegals on effective investigation
and documentation of torture fol-
lowing the Istanbul Protocol guide-
lines. Training of police, prisons and
army officers has also been done.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy
Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: awareness raising/
Psychiatric education, advocacy, nursing
care
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Mpigi police awareness training
(2007)
Research
ACTV has carried out research on
the nature and trend of torture in
Uganda. ACTV has been involved in
baseline studies with REDRESS to
determine the situation of torture
survivors in Uganda.
Legal
ACTV gives legal advice and col-
laborates and networks with or-
ganisations which offer client legal
representation for redress. ACTV
also attends court and tribunal
hearings aimed at offering redress
to torture survivors.
Documentation
ACTV documents torture, lessons
learnt and best practices and
shares with key stakeholders. The
centre operates a small resource
centre, and prepares medical re-
ports for clients to be used as evi-
dence against perpetrators.
Prevention
Prevention is done through moni-
toring torture, public awareness
raising/education, seminars/work-
shops and mass media campaigns.
Information and advocacy
ACTV engages media to raise
awareness on torture, trains secu-
127
rity agents on concepts of torture,
networks with key stakeholders,
inspects places of detention and
produces IECs.
Networking
ACTV networks and collaborates
with government departments and
agencies; civil society organisa-
tions; and service providers in the
referral network. The centre leads
and coordinates the Coalition
Against Torture in Uganda.
Funding
ACTV is funded by the Royal Neth-
erlands Embassy, CVT, UNVFVT,
DANIDA, Irish Embassy, KIOS,
French Embassy, British High Com-
mission, EC and Open Society Ini-
tiative for Eastern Africa.
Future plans
Provide quality holistic treatment
and rehabilitation services; ad-
vocate for torture prevention and
provision of services to victims;
strengthen ACTV’s institutional and
organisational capacity; strength-
en collaboration and networking
with human rights defenders; in-
tensify resource mobilisation.
Contact
(Head Office)
Block No. 39
Plot 113, off Owen Road (Opp
Mariandina Clinic on Tufnell Dr.),
Kamwokya
Kampala
Uganda
Phone: +256 312 263 918; +256
312 263 620
Fax: +256 312 263 919
actv@actvuganda.org
www.actvuganda.org
(Gulu Office)
Layibi A & B Village
Left Hand on Gulu-Kampala Road
½ KM after Railway Crossing
Plot 16-18 Olanya Tony Road
Next to New Flora Tailoring &
Nursery School
Gulu
Uganda
Phone: +256 471 432 419
Established
1993
Director(s)
Dr Moses Musaazi, Chairperson;
Ms Judy Kamanyi, Treasurer; Mr.
Okello-Okello, Director; Dr Marga-
ret Mungherera, Director
Contact person(s)
Ms Ruth Bonabaana, (ACIS), Ag.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Staff
1 chief executive officer
1 finance and administration
manager
1 programme manager
1 Gulu Branch manager
3 medical officers/medical
doctors
1 communication and advocacy
officer
3 social workers
2 legal officers/lawyers
1 accountant
1 clinical psychologist
1 clinical officer
1 trauma counsellor
1 physiotherapist
2 nurses
2 administrative assistants
3 office attendants
1 driver
Working language(s)
English
Number of clients treated per year
1400 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
Ukraine

International Medical Rehabilitation Center for the Victims

of Wars and Totalitarian Regimes (IRC)

Entrance to the IRC The paediatrician works with a refugee family

Primary objective(s) Legal Funding Contact

• To render rehabilitation serv-
ices to Ukrainians and refugees
who suffered from violence and
torture perpetrated by Ukrain-
ian governmental institutions
and other totalitarian regimes
• To establish a model of reha-
bilitation for torture victims
provided by governmental
structures
• To promote human rights and
raise public awareness.
Treatment
IRC provides medical, psycho-
logical, and legal support and
rehabilitation for those who have
survived torture. IRC focuses on
the following groups: (1) individu-
als who suffered from torture and
mistreatment during police deten-
tion; (2) traumatized refugees; (3)
former political prisoners during
the Soviet period; (4) family mem-
bers of the torture survivors.
Training
Training is provided through teach-
ing, counselling, lectures, semi-
nars and roundtables throughout
Ukraine for law enforcement agen-
cies, lawyers, local authorities,
mass media, medical doctors and
local NGOs.
The IRC lawyer provides legal as- During 2008 IRC received funding 20 Heroiv Dnipra str.
04209 Kyiv
sistance. from the EC. Ukraine
Documentation Future plans Phone +380 44 412 0077; +380 44
312 3094
The IRC library contains resources IRC plans to concentrate activities Fax +380 44 412 0077
on medical, legal and human rights in rehabilitation services for refu- mrc@viaduk.net
www.irc-kyiv.org
issues. The centre compiles its own gees and create the e-version of its
medical and legal documentation archives. Established
with an electronic database system. 1994
Our client database contains video Director(s)
interviews with clients (former po- Semyom Gluzman, Director
litical prisoners during the Soviet
Contact person(s)
period). The centre also has a doc- Marina Gutgarts, Documentalist
umentary film about torture in the
Stalin period (1930-1950s). Staff
1 director
1 general practitioner
Prevention 1 neurologist
The IRC carries out special train- 1 ophthalmologist
1 psychiatrist
ings for police officials, medical 1 paediatrician
doctors and NGOs. 1 homeopath
2 psychologists
1 documentalist
Information and advocacy 1 lawyer
The IRC publishes Socio-Psycho- 2 nurses
1 financial manager
logical and Medical Aspects of
1 bookkeeper
Cruelty, a special journal, and dis- 1 driver
tributes it in the NIS region (former 1 interpreter
USSR). The journal is published in Working language(s)
Russian with abstracts in English. Ukrainian, Russian
The e-version of the journal can be
Number of clients treated per year
downloaded from the IRC website. 295 primary torture victims
98 secondary torture victims
Networking 0 other clients
IRC is a member of the IRCT net-
work.

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Education, publication
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

128
United Kingdom

Refugee Therapy Centre (RTC)

Jeremy Corbyn, MP and RTC Patron talk about refugees and June 2008, Aida with some of the children she
torture around the world worked with

Primary objective(s)
• Provide a safe space for people
to rebuild their confidence to
be active members of the com-
munity
• Provide psychotherapy and
treatment, esp. to children,
young people, families and
those new to the UK
• Develop the capacity of practi-
tioners in the field
• Provide effective and appropri-
ate help for specific psychologi-
cal needs
• Provide skills training for refu-
gees to encourage re-entry into
the job market and general so-
ciety.
Treatment
The centre provides specialist
refugee centred intercultural psy-
chotherapy, counselling and as-
sociated treatments to refugees
and asylum seekers. We offer in-
dividual, couple, family and group
therapy based on the individual’s
needs. The centre has developed
activities to help traumatised refu-
gees and asylum seekers cope with
more practical issues of rehabilita-
tion and resettlement including:
outreach to enhance awareness of
mental health in refugee communi-
ties and to assist individuals with
accessing support and education;
mentoring to provide one-to-one
therapeutic language support in
helping people adapt and inte-
grate into the new environment;
and skills training and support for
refugees working as volunteers at
the centre.
Training
From September 2009, in addition
to our Introductory Course on Coun-
selling Refugees, we will run a Di-
ploma in Psychodynamic Counsel-
ling of Refugees and Masters Degree
in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in
collaboration with the University
of East London. We offer supervi-
sion to mental health profession-
als working with refugees/asylum
seekers, provide consultation to
NGOs and governmental organisa-
tions, and present and facilitate at
conferences and workshops.
Research
RTC hopes to develop a therapeutic
culture which restores connections
with people who have been almost
destroyed by the trauma they have
endured. The approach is docu-
mented by clinicians working for
the centre in the journal “Self and
Society” and our book “Resilience,
Suffering and Creativity: The work
of the Refugee Therapy Centre”.
Legal
We do not provide direct legal ad-
vice or support, but sign-post our
people to appropriate services.
Documentation
We provide medico-legal/psycho-
logical reports on request from
solicitors. We also provide witness
expert reports for child protection
and family courts.
Information and advocacy
We provide information leaflets
and disseminate information on our
website. We are a member of many
strategic forums locally. We also
get involved with local, national
and international campaigns.
Networking
We develop productive networks
at the local, national and interna-
tional level around issues related
to refugee asylum seekers and
torture.
Funding
We receive funding from local gov-
ernment, charitable foundations
and individual donors.
Future plans
To continue our current work and
develop our work more around chil-
dren and young people.
Contact
1A Leeds Place
Tollington Park
London N4 3RQ
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 72 72 25 65
Fax: +44 20 72 81 86 47
info@refugeetherapy.org.uk
www.refugeetherapy.org.uk
Established
1999
Director(s)
Dr Aida Alayarian, Clinical Direc-
tor
Contact person(s)
Dr Aida Alayarian
Staff
80 psychotherapists, counsellors
and psychologists (volunteer
and paid)
5 support workers
4 community development
workers
3 administrative staff
14 volunteers
Working language(s)
Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Cre-
ole, Dari, English, Farsi, French,
German, Greek, Italian, Kinyar-
wanda, Lingala, Luganda, Serbo-
Croat, Swahili, Somali, Spanish,
Swedish, Tigrina, Turkish
Number of clients treated per year
258 primary torture victims
186 secondary torture victims
0 other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: training and qualifying
Psychiatric course, volunteer placement, men-
toring– language support,
Referrals bi-lingual support outreach work
Social welfare in the community
Family-based treatment

129
United States of America
ACCESS Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture
Together Against Torture
Primary objective(s)
• To alleviate the suffering of tor-
ture survivors and their fami-
lies
• To facilitate the process of their
integration into the larger com-
munity
• To promote an understanding
and overcome the concept of
victimization
• To raise public awareness of
refugees and torture survivors
and their plight to a safer soci-
ety
• To provide comprehensive ser-
vices to survivors in order to en-
hance the quality of their lives.
Treatment
Enormous numbers of refugees
utilise ACCESS’ mental health pro-
gramme and others. They suffer
from emotional problems includ-
ing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
and major depression. After careful
scrutiny from the staff members,
we found that this population to
be in overwhelming need for spe-
cial considerations. The concept
for this centre was formulated in
October 1999 and became a real-
ity in October 2000 to serve large
numbers of survivors of torture,
as well as refugees and their fami-
lies. We service people from the
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Arabic countries especially from
Iraq, Palestine and Algeria; also
our services extend to assist large
components of asylum seekers,
mainly from African countries such
as Senegal, Togo, Mauritania, Ivo-
ry Coast, Guinea, Cameroon, Con-
go, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and
Somalia. We also assist refugees
from Afghanistan and Bosnia.
Training
Community outreach and linking
services is part of the centre’s ad-
vocacy policy. We share informa-
tion and provide training for main-
stream service providers.
Research
The centre conducted research in
the past and continues to collabo-
rate with the University of Michi-
gan and Wayne State University in
research.
Legal
The centre provides legal assist-
ance to asylum seekers in the U.S.
Information and advocacy
The centre is working coopera-
tively with the ACCESS prevention
team to provide educational serv-
ices for clients, their families and
the larger community. Prevention
130
includes parenting skills training,
youth issues, health education,
and an HIV programme.
Networking
The centre is a member of the Na-
tional Consortium of Torture Treat-
ment Programs.
Funding
The centre is funded from: 1) the
federal grant managed by the
Office of Refugee Resettlement
Agency. This fund started in Oc-
tober 2000 for four years, and it
has been extended for two years
in September 2004. The centre is
one of 27 centres that were feder-
ally funded, and the only one in
Michigan. 2) United Nations Vol-
untary Fund for Victims of Torture.
This grant started in 2002 and is
renewed annually.
Future plans
Continue providing services to vic-
tims of torture.
Contact
6450 Maple St
Dearborn, MI 48126
USA
Phone: +1 313 216 2202; +1 313
216 2242; +1 313 945 8123
Fax: +1 313 584 3622
habdulkhaleq@accesscom-
munity.org; aboumediene1@
accesscommunity.org
www.accesscommunity.org
Established
1999
Director(s)
Husam Abdulkhaleq, Program
Supervisor
Contact person(s)
Husam Abdulkhaleq, Program Su-
pervisor; Abdallah Boumediene,
Operation Manager
Staff
1 supervisor/therapist
1 operation manager
2 medical psychiatrists
2 therapists
1 social technician
1 case manager
1 data entry clerk
Working language(s)
English, Arabic
Number of clients treated per year
270 primary torture victims
30 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
United States of America

Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (ASTT)

Dr Karen Hanscom, Executive Direc- Former ASTT client captures the audience at a June 26th
tor, meets with a client Press Conference with U.S. Congress Representatives

Primary objective(s)
• Provide psychological and
medical treatment and social
adaptation assistance to sur-
vivors of torture
• Assist survivors with political
asylum documents and providing
expert testimony when needed
• Provide training to profession-
als and others in the identifica-
tion and treatment of torture
survivors
• Develop links with community
groups, organisations and indi-
viduals with a shared vision
• Educate the public regarding hu-
on survivors; and the means of re-
ferral to ASTT. ASTT has a commu-
nity-based programme to train lay
counsellors in identifying, assisting
and referring survivors to ASTT. For
more than four years, ASTT trained
mental health providers and pro-
moters in the treatment of torture
survivors in rural Guatemala.
Research
ASTT systematically compiles con-
fidential, non-identifiable data on
every client. Twice a year the aggre-
gated data are analysed and then
used to measure the performance
Information and advocacy Contact
ASTT speaks at local, national 431 E. Belvedere Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21212
and international presentations United States of America
and conferences on human rights
Phone: +1 410 464 9006
abuse and torture. ASTT works with
Fax: +1 410 464 9010
the National Consortium of Torture info@astt.org
Treatment Programs in advocating www.astt.org
for national legislation affecting Established
torture survivors. 1995
Director(s)
Networking Karen Hanscom, PhD, Executive
ASTT is a member of the National Director; Mary Cogar, PhD, Clini-
Consortium of Torture Treatment cal Director
Programs and participates as an Contact person(s)
elected member of the Executive Same as above with Maria Brown
Committee. ASTT networks with for intakes

man rights and torture survivors
seeking refuge/asylum in the
U.S.
Treatment
ASTT treats about 200 clients a
year. Treatment includes psycho-
logical assessments; individual,
couples and family psychotherapy
and counselling; preparation of af-
fidavits for political asylum courts;
expert court testimonies; psychiat-
ric treatment; case management;
and social services assistance.
Training
ASTT provides training to profes-
sionals, paraprofessionals and oth-
er individuals in the identification of
torture survivors; the psychological,
medical and social effects of torture
of the programme and to guide fur-
ther development.
Legal
ASTT does not offer direct legal
services, but refers clients to our
network of attorneys.
Documentation
ASTT documents medical and
psychological evidence of torture
to be used in clients’ political asy-
lum claims.
Prevention
ASTT is involved in training at col-
leges, universities, health agencies
and nearby INS detention centres.
ASTT participates in national or-
ganisations seeking US support for
the International Criminal Court.
state refugee programmes, Physi-
cians for Human Rights, Lawyers
Committee for Human Rights and
other such organisations.
Funding
ASTT depends on the support of
individual contributors, in addi-
tion to major grants from the US
Office of Refugee Resettlement,
the Office of Victims of Crime and
the UNVFVT.
Future plans
ASTT hopes to grow our DC office
from three days a week to five due
to its large growth. Also, ASTT
hopes to increase staff hours in
both training and public educa-
tion.
Staff
1 director/psychologist
4 psychologists
3 case managers
6 administrative
ASTT is also assisted by several
on-site volunteer therapists,
doctoral students in psychology
and masters level social worker
students
Working language(s)
English, Spanish, French and oth-
ers with interpreters
Number of clients treated per year
200 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
0 other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Medical treatment
Psychiatric through an ASTT network of
physicians; legal care through
Referrals an ASTT network on attorneys;
Social welfare training
Family-based treatment

131
United States of America
Asian Americans for Community Involvement,
Center for Survivors of Torture (AACI)/(CST)
Primary objective(s)
• Provide culturally competent psy-
chological, medical and social
services to torture survivors and
family members
• Link clients to legal, vocational,
housing and other social servic-
es, including to culturally based
community organisations
• Provide psychological and medi-
cal evaluations to support asylum
and citizenship applications
• Train primary healthcare/legal
providers to recognise and treat
and/or refer torture survivors for
specialized services and to rec-
ognise and address the signs of
secondary trauma in providers
themselves
• Educate and train community
organisations, County Men-
tal Health and Social Services
Agency staff to provide culturally
competent services to this popu-
lation.
Treatment
Treatment is client centred, so the
client chooses services depending
on their needs. All clients have ac-
cess to the full array of treatment
services, which include individual
and group psychotherapy, psycho-
logical and psychiatric evaluations,
medication management, medical
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
assessments, acupuncture and oth-
er Eastern treatments. There is also
facility to provide low cost medi-
cation, assist clients with physi-
otherapy and other medical tests.
Case management, transportation,
assistance with housing and trans-
portation, and language classes are
also offered.
Training
CST provides training to physicians
and nurses, social service workers,
clinicians like psychologists, thera-
pists and psychiatrists, community
workers, and others in the mental
and healthcare fields.
Research
CST is currently involved in a needs
assessment of refugee and im-
migrant torture survivors in Santa
Clara County, California.
Legal
The centre supports asylum and
citizenship claims through forensic
evaluations and court testimony.
Information and advocacy
CST disseminates information and
advocacy on county, state and na-
tional level for torture survivors in
particular and refugee communities
in general.
132
Funding Contact
The centre is funded by the U.S. Of- 2400 Moorpark Ave., Suite 305
San Jose, CA 95128
fice of Refugee Resettlement, UN, USA
Santa Clara County Mental Health
Department and fee for service Phone: +1 408 975 2379
Fax: +1 408 975 2745
programmes. Future funding will armina.husic@aaci.org
be explored through California’s www.aaci.org
Mental Health Services Act to serve
Established
unserved and underserved popula- 2000
tions.
Director(s)
Sarita Kohli, MFT, Director Mental
Future plans Health Programs
Research on effective treatment
Contact person(s)
modalities for use with torture sur- Armina Husic, Program Manager
vivors; use of early intervention to
support rehabilitation efforts; edu- Staff
1 director
cation and outreach to schools and 1 program manager
other educational institutions. 1 clinical services manager
1 psychologist
1 psychotherapist
3 case manager
2 psychiatrists
1 primary physician
1 case worker
Working language(s)
English
Number of clients treated per year
70 primary torture victims
30 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
United States of America
The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture
Primary objective(s)
The Bellevue/NYU Program for
Survivors of Torture is a non-profit
organisation providing multidisci-
plinary treatment and rehabilita-
tive services to survivors of po-
litical torture and refugee trauma.
Our culturally sensitive, integrated
treatment approach addresses
clients’ interconnected medical,
mental health and social service
needs. Our therapeutic philosophy
builds upon those innate resources
that have enabled clients to sur-
vive victimisation. This mission
also includes efforts in education
and training, research, community
outreach and survivor advocacy.
Training
An important goal of the Program
is to promote a greater under-
standing of the problem of torture.
Project staff conduct a variety of
specialised training seminars for
individuals and organisations that
interact with survivors of torture.
These seminars provide training
for health professionals, lawyers,
community organisations and gov-
ernment organisations, such as
the Immigration and Naturalization
Services.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
The Program is currently involved
in several research projects. We are
working on a study to develop and
validate the Tibetan translation of
the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25
and the Harvard Trauma Question-
naire. Another project we are work-
ing on is an analysis of information
gathered at intake (including the
Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25
and the Harvard Trauma Question-
naire) for the purpose of comparing
psychological sequelae among dif-
ferent client populations.
Documentation
All information gathered at intake,
including demographics and case
histories, is documented in a pa-
tient file. This information is also
entered into a database for re-
search purposes.
Prevention
The Bellevue/NYU Program has
trained Immigration and Naturali-
zation Officers to appropriately
interview asylum seekers. In ad-
dition, staff members have trav-
elled around the country training
health professionals to work with
survivors of torture and refugee
trauma.
133
Information and Advocacy
Staff members of the Program have
extensively published articles in
local and international journals,
as well as authored chapters in
books. The Program is working on a
training manual for care providers
working with torture and trauma
survivors.
Networking
The Bellevue/NYU Program is a
member of the National Consorti-
um of Torture Treatment Programs
and has collaborated with other
members of the Consortium.
Contact
Bellevue Hospital
462 First Avenue, CD710
New York, NY 10016
United States of America
Phone: +1 212 263 8269
Fax: +1 212 994 7177
psot@med.nyu.edu or ask45@
aol.com
www.survivorsoftorture.org
Established
1995
Director(s)
Allen S. Keller, MD, Program
Director
Contact Person(s)
Allen S. Keller, MD, Program
Director; Katherine Porterfield,
PhD, Clinical Director
Staff
8 primary care physicians
4 psychiatrists
16 psychologists
1 gynaecologist
1 social worker
1 operations director
1 development coordinator
1 intake coordinator
1 volunteer coordinator
1 research and training coordi-
nator serve as full-time staff
7 medical residents
22 psychology interns and
externs
16 psychiatry residents dedicate
a portion of their training to
providing patient care to
clients
Working languages
English, French, Tibetan, Viet-
namese, Krio, Fulani, Spanish,
Albanian, Russian
Number of clients treated per year
(not available)
United States of America
Center for Survivors of Torture, Dallas (CST)
Primary objective(s)
To provide specialised psychologi-
cal and rehabilitation services to
survivors of torture and other hu-
man rights abuses, traumatized
refugees and their families, in
order to promote emotional and
physical well-being and economic
self-sufficiency.
Treatment
CST’s treatment approach is ho-
listic, taking into account the
psychological, physical and spir-
itual aspects of rehabilitation. The
treatment orientation is based
on cognitive-behavioural theory
while utilising culturally appropri-
ate alternative treatment meth-
ods. Clients’ legal, medical and
social service needs are addressed
through close cooperation with
other agencies and professionals.
Training
CST makes presentations to pro-
fessional health and psychologi-
cal groups in order to educate the
community regarding the presence
and specialized needs of torture
survivors across Texas. We also
train area refugee agencies on the
mental health requirements of sur-
vivors.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Research
We participate in a nationwide
study of the treatment of torture
survivors conducted by CVT in Min-
nesota.
Documentation
CST maintains a case file on each
client. CST provides referrals to
a network of pro-bono forensic
psychologists for completion of
forensic evaluations for asylum
cases. Medical referrals are made
to a specialized clinic in the county
hospital system to ensure that
documentation of physical injuries
may be submitted to court and asy-
lum officers.
Information and advocacy
CST draws attention to the needs of
torture survivors through presenta-
tions and trainings. We help lobby
Congress to appropriate funds for
rehabilitation. CST makes annual
presentations at the Texas Depart-
ment of Human Services’ Art of
Refugee Resettlement Conference
and celebrates 26 June.
Funding
Funding comes from grants includ-
ing the UNVFVT and the US Office of
Refugee Resettlement, Torture Vic-
tims Rehabilitation Authorization.
134
We also receive grants/donations Contact
from individual donors, commu- 4123 Junius Street
Dallas, TX 75246
nity organisations and faith-based USA
groups. Phone: +1 214 827 2314
(Austin Office)
Networking 5124 Burnet Road
We are a member of the National Austin, TX 78756
USA
Consortium of Torture Treatment
Phone: +1 512 358 4612
Programs. CST participates in
meetings such as the Metroplex (Houston Office)
2900 Louisana
Refugee Network, Mental Health Houston, TX 77006
America of Greater Dallas, and USA
North Texas Trafficking Alliance,
Phone: +1 713 874 6537
and collaborates with area social Fax: +1 214 887 1401
service agencies, medical centres staff@cstnet.org
and legal service organisations. www.cstnet.org
We maintain relationships with lo- Established
cal colleges and universities, from 1997
whom we recruit volunteers.
Director(s)
Manuel Balbona, PhD, Executive
Future plans and Clinical Director; Mark Read,
In May 2008, CST opened an out- BA, Chair of the Board of Directors
reach office in Houston in order to Contact person(s)
better serve the Gulf Coast’s tor- Rena Taylor (Dallas); Celia VanDe-
Graff (Austin); Sharmin DeMoss,
ture survivor population. We hope
Assistant Director
to continue providing quality psy-
chological services to survivors Working language(s)
English, Spanish, French, Arabic,
across Texas and the south-central interpreters as needed
U.S.
Staff
1 executive and clinical director
1 assistant director
1 client care director in each
location
2 office coordinators
Number of clients treated per year
200 primary, secondary and
other clients treated
United States of America
The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT)
CVT Minneapolis Healing Center.
Primary objective(s)
• Heal the wounds of torture on
individuals, families and com-
munities, and to stop torture
worldwide
• Provide rehabilitative care to
survivors of torture and mem-
bers of their families
• Train others to provide reha-
bilitative care to survivors, and
conduct research on rehabilita-
tive care
• Work towards the prevention of
torture through influencing pub-
lic policy
• Partner with treatment centres
globally to provide capacity
building and technical assist-
ance support.
Treatment
CVT provides direct care to survi-
vors of government-sponsored or
politically motivated torture and
their family members. This includes
medical treatment, psychotherapy
and assistance in securing U.S.
legal status, a place to live and
basic living necessities. Upon en-
try, clients receive a medical ex-
amination; a psychiatric examina-
tion and diagnosis to identify and
monitor clinical depression and
other mental health emergencies;
a psychological assessment; a so-
cial assessment to understand the
victim’s immediate and long-term
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: we do not provide direct
Psychiatric legal/housing assistance or lan-
guage courses, but staff ensure
Referrals clients’ needs are met
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
survival circumstances; and a case
management interview.
Training
CVT provides training to health and
human service professionals in the
U.S. and to local mental health par-
aprofessional counsellors in Sierra
Leone, Liberia, the DRC and Jordan.
Research
CVT partners with treatment centres
around the world to build their pro-
gramme evaluation and research
capacity. These projects build on a
combination of traditional psycho-
logical indicators and culturally-rel-
evant indicators of daily function-
ing.
Documentation
Documentation of client informa-
tion is held in client health records/
charts. CVT keeps ongoing records
of all requests for services, informa-
tion and referrals.
Prevention
CVT’s New Tactics in Human Rights
Project promotes tactical innovation
and strategic thinking within the
international human rights commu-
nity. Useful tools and resources are
available at www.newtactics.org.
Capacity building (CB)
CVT’s programmes focus on CB
135
Former UN Secretary Gen-
eral Kofi Annan (centre) with
former US Senators Rod
Grams (left) and the late Paul
Wellstone (right) at CVT’s Min-
neapolis Healing Center
and providing technical assistance Contact
through partnerships with National 717 E. River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(NCB) and International (ICB) treat- USA
ment centres.
Phone: +1 612 436 4800
Fax: +1 612 436 2600
Information and advocacy cvt@cvt.org
Policy initiatives include funding for www.cvt.org; www.newtactics.
org; www.campaigntobantorture.
torture treatment and advocating
org
against U.S. torture. CVT publishes
a quarterly newsletter; holds events Established
1985
to commemorate 26 June; works
with the media; produces training Executive Director(s)
materials; and leads the Campaign Douglas A. Johnson
To Ban Torture. Contact Person(s)
Sharon Lim, Director of Com-
Networking munications
CVT is a founding member of the Na- Staff
tional Consortium of Torture Treat- US based staff
ment Programs, a coalition of 30 6 psychologists
2 psychiatrists
organisations providing services to 1 physician
torture survivors in the U.S. 2 nurses
3 clinical social workers
5 social workers
Funding 2 service coordinators
CVT’s revenue base consists of 9 staff coordinating capacity-
building initiatives
grants from foundations, religious
3 public policy staff
groups and international organisa- 4 research staff
tions; individual contributions; and 2 international direct services
staff
contracts with federal and state
5 psychotherapists
agencies. 2 physical therapists
8 massage therapists
300 volunteers
Future plans
Increase work in post-conflict, tran- International staff
sition states to provide psychoso- 8 expatriate staff, including
5 mental health profession-
cial services to torture survivors and als
to build resources for healing. 200 local mental health para-
professional counsellors or
other support staff
Working Language
English
Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
United States of America
FIRST Project - For Immigrants and Refugees Surviving Torture
Primary objective(s)
• To provide culturally respon-
sive, holistic behavioural health
services to survivors of all ages
whose torture was government
sponsored
• To work collaboratively for the
enrichment of lives and the
eradication of torture
• To provide culturally-responsive
and holistic mental health serv-
ices, education and support
• To participate in research to-
wards the development of
project and treatment improve-
ments
• To train other professionals and
volunteers in issues related to
treatment of torture survivors.
Treatment
We are a bio-psycho-social treat-
ment site with various strategies
according to the client needs. On
referral, an intake is completed by
the case manager. The client is then
referred to the therapist and if need-
ed the psychiatrist for medication
evaluation. Treatment varies from
psycho-educational and relaxation
strategies, cognitive behavioural,
art therapy, EMDR, neurofeedback
and biofeedback as well as dance,
yoga, massage.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: behavioural health
Psychiatric interpreter training
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Training
FIRST Project conducts ongoing
training in the community to health
professionals (including physi-
cians, nurses, public health, men-
tal health providers, social service
organisations and schools). We also
have targeted training for cultural
community centres with an empha-
sis on behavioural health.
Research
We currently have two research pro-
grammes: one in association with
New York University with Dr Lisa
Suzuki, which focuses on positive
psychology in treatment. The sec-
ond research programme is with the
University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Documentation
We complete professional psycho-
logical/psychiatric and case man-
agement documentation which are
inclusive of torture interview, pre-
treatment assessment, diagnostic
interview, treatment plans and
progress notes. We work with immi-
gration attorneys in the community
and conduct asylum evaluations.
Prevention
To date we have not yet completed
training for police and prison offi-
cials or health professionals within
136
the prison system. However, two Contact
members of our staff (part-time) 1919 South 40th, Suite 111
Lincoln, NE 68506
work full-time within the prison USA
system.
Phone: +1 402 488 6760
Fax: +1 402 489 2296
Information and Advocacy mlintel@firstproject.org; SBarr@
FIRST Project is active in local fun- firstproject.org
www.firstproject.org
draising events for itself which
incorporate the media in order to Established
advocate for torture survivors in ad- 2001
dition to having articles in the local Director(s)
newspaper. We have a newsletter Dr Maria Prendes-Lintel, Execu-
which is widely disseminated. tive Director
Contact Person(s)
Networking Dr Maria Prendes-Lintel, Execu-
FIRST Project is a full member of tive Director
the National Consortium of Torture Staff
Treatment Programs and has also 2 clinical psychologists/execu-
worked closely with CVT (Center tive director
2 master level therapists
for Victims of Torture) for several 1 psychiatrist
years. 1 doctoral psychology student
1 master level practicum student
1 executive director/psycholo-
Funding gist
FIRST Project receives funding from 1 case manager
1 case aid
the federal government, client in-
1 program manager
surance, local foundations and do- 1 project development/volun-
nations. teer coordinator
2 secretaries
Future plans Working languages
FIRST Project’s vision is to become a English, Arabic, Bosnian, German,
Spanish
full multicultural behavioural health
centre to be able to serve all refu- Number of clients treated per year
gees and immigrants including war (Not available)
victims who we are unable to serve
under our current funding.
United States of America

Florida Center for Survivors of Torture – A Program of Gulf

Coast Jewish Family Services

US Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)

Consultation May 28-May 29, 2008.
Pictured: Abigail Alexander, Director of
Research and Training; Michael A. Bern-
stein, President/CEO GCJFS; Captain John
Tuskan, SAMHSA; Ann Marie Winter, Admin-
istrator; Husam Abdulkaleq, ACCESS; Holly
Herrera, ORR

Primary objective(s) Research Information and advocacy Contact

• To assist survivors in increas-
ing self-sufficiency
• To educate survivors about U.S.
services and resources
• To coordinate and facilitate serv-
ices key in the recovery process
• To train community providers
to work effectively with torture
survivors
• To increase community capac-
ity to support survivors and
their healing process.
Treatment
The Florida Center, using a Centre
Without Walls model, links clients
to existing services in their commu-
nities through intensive case man-
Using qualitative and quantitative
measures, the Florida Centre has
established assessment protocols
to determine the effectiveness of
services. Collaborative research is
underway with area universities.
Legal
The Florida Center works with lo-
cal immigration attorneys to pro-
vide legal services to survivors of
torture.
Documentation
The Florida Center has a cultur-
ally based library for populations
served and on mental health issues
within the refugee community. The
The centre provides at least two an-
nual training/information sessions
to increase community awareness
- the 26 June event and the Florida
Center Annual Regional Confer-
ence, which provides training to
area medical, legal, mental health
and education professionals.
Networking
The Florida Center connects with
nearly every type of human service
agency in Florida to provide educa-
tion on survivors’ needs.
Funding
The centre is funded by the U.S. Of-
fice of Refugee Resettlement and
14041 Icot Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33760
United States of America
Phone: +1 727 450 7273
Fax: +1 727 450 7285
-----
101 Westward Drive, 2nd Fl.
Miami Springs, FL 33166
United States of America
Phone: +1 305 805 5060
Fax: +1 305 805 5068
fcst@gcjfs.org
www.gcjfs.org
Established
2000
Director(s)
Abigail Alexander, Director of
Research and Training; Heather
Kathrens, Program Manager

agement service delivery. Needs centre submits data on clients to the UNVFVT. There are no fees for Contact person(s)
are determined using an in-depth, the National Consortium of Torture services, but there may be costs Ann Marie Winter, Administrator
strength-based psychosocial as- Treatment Programs to establish associated with specialised care.
Staff
sessment. This holistic approach an accurate national database. No one is denied services because 1 administrator
appreciates the unique strengths of inability to pay. 1 program director
1 program manager
as well as the dynamic and diverse Prevention
4 program specialists
needs of the torture survivor popu- There has been collaboration on Future plans 2 case coordinators
lation. cases on domestic violence, child The programme will articulate 1 community initiatives co-
ordinator
abuse, child neglect and sub- promising practices using evi- 1 office manager
Training stance abuse within the survivor dence-based outcomes, and in- 1 research assistant
Extensive community training is population. The centre has begun crease funding to reach popula- 30 on-call interpreters
30 volunteers
provided to area agencies work- to develop video training for po- tions in need. Both in the Tampa 2 contracted clinical supervisors
ing with torture survivors within lice officials and Immigration and Bay and South Florida communi-
the medical, legal, mental health, Naturalization Services staff. ties, the Florida Center will contin- Working language(s)
Albanian, Arabic, Creole, English,
social service, spiritual and educa- ue to increase the provider network Farsi, French, German, Italian,
tional realms. essential to service provision. Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Span-
ish, Vietnamese
Services Number of clients treated per year
Medical Psychological 125 primary torture victims
Physiotherapy 150 secondary torture victims
Legal
0 other clients
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: Intensive case management,
Psychiatric psychosocial assessment, com-
munity training, advocacy, support
Referrals groups
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

137
United States of America
International Survivors Center (ISC) at the International
Institute of Boston (IIB)
Primary objective(s)
• To serve survivors of torture,
mass violence and other gov-
ernment-sponsored human
rights abuses
• To provide mental health serv-
ices within an integrated case
management model
• To provide a safe environment
with confidential trusting rela-
tionships
• To minimise barriers to care by
providing respectful, and cul-
turally appropriate services
• To provide training and consul-
tation to other providers.
Training
ISC staff provide trainings, semi-
nars and workshops to local, re-
gional, national and international
groups, on the evaluation, treat-
ment and psychosocial assistance
to survivors of torture. ISC and IIB
also offer informational workshops
and presentations for refugee and
immigrant groups, religious or cul-
tural societies, as well as training
sessions to graduate level clini-
cians in the field of refugee mental
health and trauma.
Research
ISC’s longitudinal study examines
the correlation between concrete
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
needs, quality of life and mental
health of survivors of torture. Addi-
tionally, ISC’s Medical Director, to-
gether with an international panel
of experts, is developing a frame-
work for training mental health
professionals for humanitarian
psychosocial assistance for torture
victims and victims of mass vio-
lence in war-affected communities.
Currently, ISC’s Medical Director is
involved in Burma Border Projects
and a project focusing on medical-
legal documentation of torture and
sexual violence in Sudan.
Documentation
ISC collects a wide variety of client
information that is maintained in a
database and confidential files.
Prevention
Through membership in the Massa-
chusetts Governor’s Commission
on Sexual and Domestic Violence,
ISC staff participate in domestic
violence prevention projects in the
Boston area.
Information and advocacy
ISC staff advocate at the state-
house level in Massachusetts and
at the national level in Washing-
ton, DC, through its affiliation with
USCRI and ORR; and as a member of
138
the National Consortium of Torture Contact
Treatment Programs. ISC staff fre- One Milk St.
Boston, MA 02109
quently engage in events that high- USA
light the plight of torture survivors
and their psychosocial needs. Phone: +1 617 695 9990
Fax: +1 617 695 9191
rmeek@iiboston.org; cbenedict-
Networking drew@iiboston.org
www.iiboston.org
ISC is affiliated with a number of lo-
cal, regional and national coalitions Established
and organisations. ISC is a member 1999
of the National Consortium of Tor- Contact person(s)
ture Treatment Programs. Robert Meek, Carolyn Benedict-
Drew, Dawn Shelton
Funding Staff
ISC receives funding through the 3 licensed clinical social workers
Boston Center for Refugee Health 2 advocates/case workers
1 psychiatrist
and Human Rights at the Boston 1 programme assistant/
Medical Center (Office of Refugee interpreter
Resettlement), UNVFVT and other
Working languages
private and public sources. Arabic, Berber, Bulgarian,
English, French, Persian, Somali,
Future plans Spanish
ISC plans to enhance services for Number of clients treated per year
torture survivors and to articulate (Not available)
its model framework of integrated
multidisciplinary services. Addi-
tionally, we plan to advocate for fur-
ther training and capacity-building
at the regional and national level.
United States of America
Lutheran Children and Family Service/Liberty Center for
Survivors of Torture (Liberty Center)
Ointian Baptist Church C.R.O.S.S. Mime Ministry Liberty Center Staff (left: Godelive Muttu, middle:
Primary objective(s)
• Provide case management serv-
ices to torture survivors resid-
ing in Pennsylvania, Delaware
and southern New Jersey
• Promote public understanding
of human rights and protection
issues regarding the practice of
torture
• Provide training to relevant
professionals concerning serv-
ice provision to survivors of
torture.
Treatment
The Liberty Center serves over 125
participants each year. Treatment
includes, but is not limited to: in-
tensive case management, secur-
ing medical, psychological, social,
and legal services, along with its
Hope Restoration activities.
Training
The Liberty Center provides ac-
credited trainings for profes-
sional, faith-based, and general
audiences in the following areas:
torture and its legal, medical and
psychological consequences; im-
migrant mental health (child and
adult); Title VI compliance; cultural
sensitivity in working with new im-
migrant communities; domestic vi-
olence in newcomer communities;
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Pam Barnes, right: Dr Denise Berte’, PhD)
and interviewing and serving new Contact
immigrants. 231 N. 63rd Street
Philadelphia
PA 19139
Documentation USA
The administrative assistant main-
Phone: +1 215 747 7500
tains documentation via databas- Fax: +1 215 747 7500
es, and forms using computer pro- deniseb@lcfsinpa.org; soft@
lcfsinpa.org
grammes such as Microsoft Word,
www.lcfsinpa.org/survivors of
Excel, Publisher, ACCESS, SPSS torture
and secured filing systems.
Established
2001
Networking
The Liberty Center has ongoing Director(s)
Richard Gitlen, Executive Director,
relationships with several major Lutheran Children and Family
health partners. The Liberty Cent- Service; Denise Ziya Berte’, PhD,
er offers training and collaborative Program Director
services to organisations working Contact person(s)
with communities where torture Denise Ziya Berte’, PhD
has affected the populations.
Staff
1 supervisor and senior case
Funding manager
The Liberty Center was initiated 1 administrative assistant
3 interns
with funding from the Office of 3 tutors
Refugee Resettlement, Dept. 7 volunteers
8 professionals (physicians/
of Health and Human Services
lawyers/therapists)
(ACF), and funding through PEW,
UNVFVT, Chace, Chestnut Hill, Working language(s)
English, Spanish, French, Swahili,
Samuel Fels, Allen Hilles, Union others upon request
Benevolent, Western Association
of Ladies, Women’s Way, Rosen- Number of clients treated per year
132 primary torture victims
berg Foundation, Patricia Kind, 39 secondary torture victims
Churches, Charitable Flex Fund, 44 other clients
LLS, LCFS, Honorariums and indi-
vidual donations.
139
United States of America
Program for Survivors of Torture and Severe Trauma
at the Center for Multicultural Human Services
(PSTT/CMHS)
Primary objective(s)
• Help survivors of torture heal
from psychological trauma by
providing psychological treat-
ment and support services
• Meet client needs for medical
treatment, legal representa-
tion, transportation and emer-
gency assistance
• Coordinate and/or provide so-
cial services to help survivors
of torture address basic needs
in everyday life
• Develop and train a supportive
network of low-cost or pro-
bono service providers and
volunteers to expand serv-
ices to victims of torture in the
Washington, D.C., metropoli-
tan area
• Advance the understanding of
torture, its sequelae and treat-
ment through data collection,
analysis and instrument devel-
opment.
Treatment
PSTT provides mental health care
and social services for survivors of
torture and their immediate family
members. At intake, each client’s
needs are assessed and prioritised
collaboratively with the client, who
is then referred to a psychothera-
pist, case manager and/or psychi-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: training and outreach
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
atrist. PSTT therapists offer inter-
ventions at the individual, family
and group level and also support
clients’ petition for asylum by
providing evaluations and expert
witness court testimony. PSTT
psychiatrists provide psychiatric
assessments, prescribe psycho-
tropic medication and monitor cli-
ents’ responses to pharmacother-
apy. PSTT offers an extensive array
of medical treatment options. As
refugees, most of our clients have
many fundamental and pressing
needs. These needs are addressed
by case managers either directly
or through a community referral
network. Lastly, clients can also
receive immigration assistance
from our staff attorney.
Training
PSTT staff provides training to a
wide array of local and national
professional communities working
with survivors of torture and trau-
ma, including the university and
legal community, human rights
advocates, health service provid-
ers, mental health providers, refu-
gee resettlement agencies and the
spiritual community.
Research
PSTT compiles demographic data
140
and collects data on trauma symp-
tom inventories. Trauma symptom
inventories and functional meas-
ures will be administered to active
clients at intake and at 3-month
intervals to evaluate treatment ef-
fectiveness and assess client func-
tioning and progress.
Information and Advocacy
The past director of PSTT has tes-
tified before the US Congress, and
PSTT staff have visited congres-
sional members to address the
abuses of torture and speak out
against impunity. PSTT staff have
also been featured in national and
international media.
Networking
PSTT is an active member of the
National Consortium of Torture
Treatment Programs. CMHS has
a contractual relationship with
INOVA Fairfax Hospital to provide
reduced-fee medical treatment
and services to PSTT clients, and
have expanded this network to in-
clude many top-level medical spe-
cialists in the Washington, D.C.,
metropolitan area. CMHS also has
a long-standing relationship with
the George Washington University
Medical Center Department of Psy-
chiatry.
Contact
c/o Center for Multicultural Hu-
man Services
701 W. Broad Street, Suite 305
Falls Church, VA 22046
USA
Phone: +1 703 533 3302
Fax: +1 703 237 2083
rgaba@cmhs.org; sgupta@cmhs.
org; dkiburi@cmhs.org
www.cmhs.org
Established
1998
Director(s)
Not applicable. Rebecca Gaba,
PhD, Chief Operating Officer
Contact person(s)
Rebecca Gaba, PhD, CMHS Chief
Operating Officer; Sonali Gupta,
PsyD, PSTT Staff Psychologist;
Dorothy Kiburi, PSTT Program
Manager
Staff
5 case managers
12 therapists
3 psychiatrists
1 legal services/immigration
attorney
2 key PSTT administrative staff
Working languages
English, French, Spanish, Arabic,
Amharic, Cambodian, Russian,
Dari, Pashtu, Somali, Farsi, Ser-
bo-Croatian, Vietnamese, Khmer,
Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese,
Korean, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi,
German, Hungarian, Malayalam,
Albanian, Swahili, Tagalog, Japa-
nese, Kiswahili, Sign, Tigrigna
Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
United States of America
Program for Torture Victims Los Angeles (PTV)
26 June activities by the PVT
Primary objective(s)
• Alleviate the suffering and
health consequences of state-
sponsored torture
• Provide medical, psychological
and case management serv-
ices to individuals who have
been subjected to torture or
other forms of human rights
violations for political reasons
(including ethnic, social, and
gender discrimination).
Treatment
The majority of PTV clients are
asylum seekers, including victims
of torture and their families. Treat-
ment methods include short- and
long-term therapy, family therapy,
crisis intervention, cognitive ther-
apy, behavioural intervention, and
art and play therapy. PTV provides
comprehensive medical examina-
tions, including trauma medical
history, physical exams, work-
ups and more specialized medical
tests. Medical treatment and free
medication for chronic conditions
are provided at the Venice Family
Clinic and Clinica Oscar Romero.
PTV provides expert witness serv-
ices in the immigration court for
asylum seekers, interpreter serv-
ices, and conducts advocacy on
issues related to torture.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
26 June activities by the PVT
Training
PTV trains medical students,
health and mental health profes-
sionals, immigration lawyers,
refugee agencies, asylum officers
and NGOs.
Research
PTV is engaged in outcomes re-
search to assess the psychologi-
cal health of the torture survivor
clients we serve over time, as
well as to examine the impact of
our services on client satisfaction
and functioning. In addition, PTV
works with the California and na-
tional consortiums of torture treat-
ment programs on joint research
projects.
Information and advocacy
PTV publishes a newsletter, oper-
ates a website, initiates the annual
26 June UN Day in Support of Vic-
tims of Torture programme in Los
Angeles, lobbies officials and their
staff in local, county and state gov-
ernment. PTV also lobbies Califor-
nia legislators and members of the
Congress on the different political
aspects of torture and to secure
funding for torture treatment pro-
grammes around the country and
the world.
141
Networking
Networking is done through con-
tact and work with local federal,
state and county refugee resettle-
ment agencies, voluntary agencies
(VOLA), NGOs, immigration attor-
neys, primary health care clinics
and mental health programmes.
PTV staff have been appointed by
the Inter-American Human Rights
Court to provide expert testimony.
Funding
PTV receives funding through a
multi-year grant from the US Of-
fice of Refugee Resettlement, an
annual grant from the UNVFVT and
foundations.
Future plans
Priorities are to increase the
number of professional volunteers,
expand advocacy and legislative
work, refine a new website client
database, and extend community
outreach. Other plans include in-
creasing sources of referrals and
increasing emergency funds for
clients.
Contact
3655 S. Grand Ave., Suite 290
Los Angeles, CA 90007
USA
Phone: +1 213 747 4944
Fax: +1 213 747 4662
epfeifer@ptvla.org; jquirogamd@
aol.com; jquiroga@sbcglobal.net;
adeutsch@ptvla.org; anadeut-
sch@sbcglobal.net
www.ptvla.org
Established
1980
Director(s)
Ellen Pfeifer, MSW, Executive
Director
Contact person(s)
Ellen Pfeifer, MSW, Executive
Director; Jose Quiroga, MD, Medi-
cal Director; Ana Deutsch, MFT,
Clinical Director
Staff
1 executive director
1 clinical director
1 director of research and
evaluation
1 medical director
4 therapists
1 case manager
Working language(s)
English, Spanish, French
Number of clients treated per year
0 primary torture victims
128 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
United States of America

Rocky Mountain Survivors Center (RMSC)

Primary objective(s) adage that “torture rends the fab- Contact

The Rocky Mountain Survivors ric of communities,” and seeking 1547 Gaylord Street
Denver
Center (RMSC) is a non-profit or- to provide measurable output and CO 80206
ganisation that assists survivors of outcome at these three levels of U.S.A.
torture and war trauma, and their intervention.
Phone: +1 303 321 3221, ext.
families, to heal and rebuild their 206/203
lives. Mobile: +1 303 909 6313
Fax: +1 303 321 3314

Treatment Established
The RMSC model of treatment is 1996
holistic and multi-disciplinary. Director(s)
Participants are invited to receive Ernest A. Duff Jr., Executive
an array of services, from in-house Director
legal services and a dynamic pro Contact person(s)
bono network of attorneys, to pub- Ernest A. Duff Jr.; Izabela Lund-
lic health care services, including berg
an on-site nurse health education, Staff
wellness and referral to a network 2.5 administrative/operations
of primary care physicians, to on- 1 public health nurse
2 attorneys
site psychotherapy, expressive and 2 clinicians
somatic therapies with contracted 3 social service case manage/
psychiatric support and consulta- ment
1 psychiatrist
tion, and finally through intensive
case management support that is Working language(s)
English, Spanish, French, Ger-
inherently psychosocial, practi-
man, Swedish, Bosnian, Croatian,
cal and outreach-oriented. We are Serbian, Bassa, Swahili, Luganda,
changing the paradigm of our work and a large, trained, interpreter
core speaking 45 languages
to reflect the state of the art bio-
psycho-social work with individual Number of clients treated per year
torture survivors, their families (Not available)
and communities, reflecting the

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other: community development,
Psychiatric massage and other somatic tech-
niques, public health, wellness,
Referrals health education
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

142
United States of America

Survivors International (SI)

From the event “Asylum Denied: A Refu-

gee’s Struggle for Safety in America”,
sponsored by Survivors International and
the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights.
From left to right: Winnie Chu, Jayne Flem-
ing, David Ngaruri Kenney, Phillip Schrag
and Uwe Jacobs

Primary objective(s)
• Individual psychotherapy, in-
cluding ongoing clinical work
and short-term emergency in-
terventions
• Family and couples therapy,
support groups and links to
agencies providing food, shel-
ter and employment
• Psychiatric medications man-
agement and counselling,
medical consultations and re-
ferrals
• Forensic psychological and
medical evaluations
• Community-based solidarity
events.
Treatment
We provide expert psychological
and medical evaluations to support
asylum claims based upon political
torture, gender-based persecution
and LGBTQ hate crimes. Our net-
work of clinicians also provides on-
going psychotherapy, medication
management and group therapy.
We also connect survivors with pri-
mary care providers who are able to
address various medical needs and
prescribe medications.
Training
We are committed to providing cli-
nicians with the skills they need to
best aid survivors of torture in their
healing process. Throughout 2008,
SI presented a series of continuing
education and public events to
raise awareness about the preva-
lence and effects of torture.
Research
The Gender Asylum and Recovery
Project is designed to bring rec-
ognition to gendered persecution
and to create the beginning of a
national and international support
structure for survivors of gender
persecution. Project components
include: training and technical
assistance to build the capacity
of torture treatment centres, the
legal community and other provid-
ers; policy advocacy and resource
development to raise awareness
of gender persecution; and gender
persecution protocol development
to obtain UN commitment and inde-
pendent funding.
Legal
We provide technical assistance
and professional workshops to
psychologists and public interest
attorneys on issues of policy and
public awareness.
Information and advocacy
SI is active with the California
Consortium of Torture Treatment
Centers, whereby centres collabo-
rate to develop systems to conduct
outcome research, standardize in-
take procedures and testing instru-
ments, and advocate for survivors
of torture in our state. SI strives
to raise public awareness about
torture in the world today and the
need to absolutely abolish its use
by governments.
Funding
Funding comes from The Bay Area
Lawyers for Individual Freedom,
Firedoll Foundation, Isabel Allende
Foundation, Langeloth Foundation,
Potrero Nuevo Foundation, S.H.
Cowell Foundation, San Francisco
Foundation, Sarlo Foundation, UN-
VFVT, Van Loben Sels/ Rembe Rock
Foundation, Y & H Soda Founda-
tion, Zellerbach Family Foundation
and individual donors.
Future plans
Currently, SI is undergoing a stra-
tegic planning process in order to
be more responsive to the future
needs of survivors of torture and
gender-based violence and to ad-
dress issues related to our long-
term financial stability and viabil-
ity.
Contact
703 Market Street
Suite 301
San Francisco, CA 94103
United States of America
Phone: +1 415 546 2080
Fax: +1 415 546 2084
info@survivorsintl.org; winnie@
survivorsintl.org
www.survivorsintl.org
Established
1986
Director(s)
Valerie Bach, Treasurer; Jeanne
Wolff-Bernstein, PhD; Elaine
Beale; Christine Brigagliano,
President;
Erin Callahan, Vice President;
Jon Eldan; Jayne E. Fleming;
Harvey Peskin, PhD; Marc Shaffer,
Secretary
Contact person(s)
Winnie Chu, Executive Director
Staff
1 executive director
1 administrative coordinator
1 senior case manager
1 clinical director
1 research and advocacy
associate
Working language(s)
Arabic, Cantonese, English,
French, German, Spanish and
Russian
Number of clients treated per year
300 primary torture victims
0 secondary torture victims
0 other clients

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

143
United States of America
Survivors of Torture, International (SURVIVORS)
Primary objective(s)
• To facilitate healing for torture
survivors and their families
• To educate professionals and
the public about torture and its
consequences
• To advocate for the abolition of
torture.
Treatment
SURVIVORS has incorporated a
holistic treatment model that em-
powers torture survivors and their
families to reclaim their lives. Psy-
chotherapy services are tailored
to individual needs and include
crisis intervention, therapy, home
visits and coordination with other
providers. Psychiatric services are
arranged through contracts with
psychiatrists who evaluate clients
and prescribe medication. Heal-
ing groups help counter clients’
feelings of shame, humiliation
and isolation. Partnerships with
community clinics provide asylum
seekers with basic health examina-
tions.
Training
SURVIVORS’ staff members speak
in professional, academic, reli-
gious and community settings.
Among those who have received
training are San Diego County men-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
tal health services providers, San
Diego State University’s School of
Social Work and University of San
Diego’s School of Law.
Legal
Legal services are offered through
a subgrant to Casa Cornelia Law
Center, a San Diego-based law firm,
to assist clients with claims for asy-
lum. SURVIVORS provides services
for detained/non-detained asylum
seekers. Psychological affidavits
are conducted by licensed mental
health evaluators for submission
as evidence in immigration pro-
ceedings.
Documentation
SURVIVORS documents and se-
curely stores: client intakes; de-
mographic information; trauma
histories; needs assessments;
psychological and social back-
ground; legal documents related
to asylum; and treatment and
progress notes.
Information and advocacy
With the help of pro bono legisla-
tive advocates, SURVIVORS led
statewide June 26 advocacy in Sac-
ramento for the California Consor-
tium of Torture Treatment Centers.
Media communication has includ-
144
ed op-ed articles, magazine and
newspaper stories and broadcast
news programmes.
Networking
SURVIVORS is a founding mem-
ber of the National Consortium of
Torture Treatment Programs and
led the development of the Cali-
fornia Consortium of Torture Treat-
ment Centres. Locally, SURVIVORS
works with community organisa-
tions to develop a broader system
of delivery of services to clients.
Funding
SURVIVORS receives funding from
the U.S. Government, County of
San Diego, UNVFVT, church bod-
ies, private foundations and indi-
vidual donors.
Future plans
SURVIVORS will broaden services
to our clients through community
partnerships and advocate on our
clients’ behalf at the local, state
and federal levels of government.
Contact
PO Box 151240
San Diego, CA 92175-1240
USA
Phone: +1 619 278 2400
Fax: +1 619 294 9405
survivors@notorture.org
www.notorture.org
Established
1997
Director(s)
Kathi Anderson, Executive
Director
Contact person(s)
Kathi Anderson, Executive
Director
Staff
1 executive director
1 associate director
1 public affairs director
1 clinical director
1 associate clinical director
1 administrative assistant
1 medical case manager
1 case manager
1 finance manager
1 development manager
Working language(s)
English, Spanish, Arabic, Canton-
ese, Russian, interpreters for 30
other languages
Number of clients treated per year
191 primary and secondary
torture victims
United States of America
Torture Treatment Center of Oregon (TTCO)
Primary objectives
• Provide psychiatric, medical, le-
gal and social services to adult
and child survivors of torture
• Provide a consistent psychia-
trist/ethnic mental health coun-
sellor team for each patient lan-
guage group
• Serve survivors coming to Ore-
gon from the Middle East, Bos-
nia, Africa, Asia, Central and
South America
• Train ethnic counsellors, psy-
chiatric residents, medical
students, interns and profes-
sionals
• Contribute to knowledge and
treatment of psychiatric and
social repercussions of torture.
Treatment
TTCO utilises a collaborative, pa-
tient-centred, evidence-based ap-
proach, which delivers psychiatric,
medical, social and legal services
in a consistent, complementary
manner, emphasising “safety and
continuity”, reduction of symptoms
by medication and psychotherapy,
case management of the multiple
social needs of the patient, and
engaging the involvement of the
survivor in his or her own treat-
ment. Our 900 patients range from
children aged three to grandmoth-
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
ers age 90. Types of torture range
from the systematic torture ap-
plied within prisons to the chaotic
and random torture which occurs in
ethnic cleansing and violence.
Psychiatric needs
These are met by thorough psychi-
atric evaluation and thorough com-
prehensive diagnosis. Treatment
follows the diagnostic evaluation
and may include psychopharma-
cology, individual psychotherapy
and group socialization experi-
ences. Family members, includ-
ing children, are often involved in
treatment, which can include edu-
cation and family therapy.
Medical needs
Medical needs including a high
prevalence of diabetes and hyper-
tension, asthma, and cognitive
disorders are often diagnosed by
our psychiatrists and/or our family
medicine physician working within
our TTCO programme. Patients
with special medical problems are
referred to a medical specialist
within our University Hospital. Pa-
tients without medical insurance
are given special assistance.
Legal needs
These are met by TTCO’s partner-
145
ship with two legal firms in Port- Contact
land who work with our patients Intercultural Psychiatric Program
(UHN-88)
to provide assistance with asylum at the Oregon Health & Science
hearings and other legal needs. University
Patients are screened for finan- 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239
cial assistance and if assistance is USA
needed, it is provided by our pro-
Phone: +1 503 418 1608; +1 503
gramme.
494 6140; +1 503 494 4222
Fax: +1 503 494 6143
Social welfare kinziem@ohsu.edu; rileyc@
ohsu.edu
Such needs are met by our mental
health counsellors providing inten- Established
sive case management – being an 1977
advocate for patients within a com- Director(s)
plicated social service system, pro- J. Mark Kinzie, MD, PhD, Director
viding education about the logis-
Contact Person(s)
tics of living in the United States, J. Mark Kinzie, MD, PhD, Director;
providing psychological support Crystal Riley, MA, Manager
during times of patients’ grief and
Staff
loss, and providing social support 11 psychiatrists
related to the role change and con- 1 medical doctor
fusion that often occurs during the 13 counsellors
7 social workers
acculturation process. 1 lawyer
7 secretaries
4 administrative staff
Working Languages
Amharic, Arabic, Borana, Bos-
nian, Cambodian, Farsi, French,
Kurdish, Laotian, Mien, Oramifaa,
Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swa-
hili, Vietnamese, other languages
by interpreter services
Number of clients treated per year
(Not available)
Uruguay
Servicio de Rehabilitacion Social (SERSOC)
Primary objective(s)
• Assist victims of state terror-
ism, e.g. former political pris-
oners, disappeared, exiled and
families
• Educate, at the university and
general level, people regarding
ethics and human rights issues
• Promote human rights at the
level of NGO networks, as well
as among the general public
• Participate in the Latin Ameri-
can network
• Develop a documentation cen-
tre on the subject.
Treatment
SERSOC does not treat clients,
but conducts consultations with
patients or users. The average
number of consultations is 300 per
year. The methods applied include
individual psychotherapy, psychi-
atric assistance, social assistance,
family therapy, group therapy and
occupational consultancy serv-
ices.
Training
We receive PhD and Masters stu-
dents from foreign universities,
who carry out their fieldwork on
the premises. SERSOC coordinates
courses and seminars on human
rights in collaboration with other
NGOs in Uruguay. We receive stu-
dents from the University of the
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Republic, Uruguay carrying out
internships connected with treat-
ment and research.
Research
SERSOC professionals produce
annual investigations, which are
presented before Congress and
published in national, regional
and international periodicals. Re-
search topics include trans-gen-
erational effects of torture and
state terrorism, and the causes
of morbidity and mortality among
victims subjected to prolonged im-
prisonment.
Documentation
The Documentation Centre is open
to researchers, university students
and the general public, with mate-
rials on human rights. It operates
databases and uses biographical
treament formats, like CEPAL. For
the clinical documentation of pa-
tients/users, we use the “EPI info
2002” programmme with 53 vari-
ables.
Prevention
We participate in several edu-
cational programmes on human
rights.
Information and advocacy
SERSOC maintains regular contact
with the Commission on Human
146
Rights of the Uruguayan Parliament Contact
and cooperates with the University 25 de mayo 707/501
PO Box 6456
of the Republic, the Department of Montevideo
Human Rights of the Culture Minis- Uruguay
try and the Government of the City
Phone: +598 2 900 2857
of Montevideo. We are working in sersoc@chasque.apc.org
collaboration with the Health Min-
Established
istry on a Health Reparation Pro- 1984
gramme for the Victims of State
Terrorism. Director(s)
Dr. Juan Triaca, Lic. Adriana
Vaselli, Psic. Miguel Scapusio
Networking
Apart from participating in a hu- Contact persons
Lic. Adriana Vaselli, Psic. Miguel
man rights network and general Scapusio
NGO network, SERSOC partici-
pates in a joint project with CIN- Staff
6 psychiatrists
TRAS (Chile), EATIP (Argentina) 10 psychologists
and GTNM/RG (Brazil). SERSOC 2 social assistants
is one of the co-founders of the 1 executive secretary
1 administrative assistant
Latin American network for Men- 1 receptionist
tal Health and Human Rights, and 1 accountant
2 documentalists
was responsible for organising the
network’s founding assembly. Working language(s)
Spanish
Funding Number of clients treated per year
SERSOC receives funds from the 80 primary torture victims
European Union and OAK Founda- 120 secondary torture victims
0 other clients
tion.
Future plans
SERSOC plans to continue develop-
ing research on trans-generational
effects of torture and causes of
morbidity and mortality among
victims subjected to prolonged im-
prisonment.
 Venezuela
Network for the Support of Justice and Peace
(RED DE APOYO)
Staff of the centre
Primary objective(s)
• Achieve justice for human rights
violations through action on be-
half of victims and relatives
• Diminish the impact of viola-
tions by providing medical,
psychological and socio-peda-
gogical assistance
• Eradicate impunity on acts vio-
lating human rights
• Protect and to promote human
rights for the Venezuelan peo-
ple through education and by
affecting policies.
Treatment
Between November 2005 and April
2008 our organisation provided
medical and psychological atten-
tion to 73 torture victims and 13 rela-
tives of torture victims. Since many
victims come to us after previous
emergency medical treatment, we
do not offer emergency services.
Instead, our physician treats the
physical consequences of torture.
Our attention programme for vic-
tims focuses on several approach-
es (medical, psychological, legal,
social and pedagogical) to torture
and other human rights violations
from an integral perspective. This
broad approach allows us to indi-
vidually fit our service to each per-
son we treat.
Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy
Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
t Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment
Press conference during the International
Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Training
We have developed several courses
and workshops that include torture
as a main subject and are offered to
medical students, community lead-
ers, educators, policemen, victims
and their relatives, volunteers, om-
budsmen and public prosecutors.
Research
During 2008 we published four re-
search studies on torture practices
in Venezuela, police torture cases,
National Guard torture cases and
Criminal Scientific Corp torture
cases.
Legal
Through the year 2008 we have
implemented national legal action
and monitored lawsuits, using the
law system in an alternative way,
together with the victims’, their
relatives’ and their communities’
support.
Documentation
Assistance to victims includes
three stages broadly documented
and registered: victims make their
first contact with our organisation;
and initial medical, psychological
and legal assistance is provided.
147
Prevention Contact
Examples of prevention activities Parque Central
Edificio Caroata
include disseminating information Nivel Oficina 2
to communities, organised groups, Oficina 220
academic institutions, health cen- Apartado postal Nº 17.476
Caracas 1015-A
tres and government authorities Venezuela
about torture, its sequels and pre-
Phone and Fax: +58 212 574 1949;
vention mechanisms.
+58 212 574 80 05
programadefensa@redapoyo.org.
Information and advocacy ve; programajusticia@redapoyo.
org.ve; coordinaciongeneral@
We have produced several publica- redapoyo.org.ve
tions about torture. Public demon- www.redapoyo.org.ve
strations and broadcasts are held
Established
several times a year, especially on 1985
the UN International Day for Vic-
tims of Torture. Director(s)
Pablo Fernández, General Coor-
dinator; Luis Alejandro Gutiérrez,
Networking Project Coordinator
In order to achieve better results,
Contact person(s)
we collaborate with several or- Laura Roldán and Diana González,
ganisations in this field, such as Defense and Integral Rehabilita-
the Solidarity Network, a platform tion Programme
for 19 community-based organi- Staff
sations working for human rights 1 medical doctor
1 psychologist
that seeks total protection of hu-
1 social worker
man rights and contributes to the 3 lawyers
invigoration of civil rights. 5 teachers
1 teaching assistant
1 administrator
Funding 1 accountant
Funding is received from the Eu- 1 accounting assistant
1 journalist
ropean Union; Alboan, Spain; the 1 graphic designer
British Government; the Canadian 1 secretary
Government; and the Open Society 1 lobbying assistant
Institute, USA. Working language(s)
Spanish
Number of clients treated per year
15-25 primary torture victims
5-10 secondary torture victims
20 other clients
Zimbabwe

Counselling Services Unit (CSU)

Victims in the CSU waiting room

Primary objective(s) doctors use CSU trained counsel- Prevention Contact

• Provide medical and rehabilita-
tion services to organised vio-
lence and torture (OVT) victims
in Zimbabwe
lors in their communities. CSU undertakes prevention exer- Suite 1
1 Raleigh Street
cises through its training in com- Kopje, P.O. 5465
Training munities. CSU also feeds informa- Harare
Training aims at increasing com- tion on incidence of OVT to relevant Zimbabwe

• Increase awareness of chronic
mental disability and common
mental disorders
• Provide forensic documenta-
tion of medical and psychologi-
cal injuries and maintain a legal
database
• Carry out research aimed at
understanding issues affecting
victims and other relevant find-
ings
• Network with local, regional
and international organisations
concerned with HR violations in
Zimbabwe.
Treatment
Victims usually come in with acute
physical injuries and initial ex-
amination is done at the centre, at
casualty units or at partner medical
practitioners’ rooms. There is of-
ten need for referral to specialists.
Treatment interventions include:
fixing fractured bones, debride-
ment, skin graphs and neurosur-
gery. Lesser (soft tissue) injuries
are treated directly by centre staff.
The clients go through a debriefing
and psychological assessment and
are referred to a counsellor or clini-
cal psychologist/psychiatrist for
further psychotherapy. Provincial
munity awareness, establishing
a network of primary care givers,
increasing basic counselling skills,
and self care of providers dealing
with victims.
Research
CSU carries out research aimed
at understanding mental health
issues affecting victims and at
improving interventions. Recent
research resulted in a community
counselling project that can be
used widely.
Legal
All victims are appraised of the
available legal assistance. CSU
refers the majority to law organi-
sations, including the Zimbabwe
Human Rights NGO Forum, Zim-
babwe Lawyers for Human Rights
and the Zimbabwe Legal Resources
Foundation.
Documentation
All cases are documented in a for-
mat meant to satisfy current and
future legal international body and
medical requirements. Documen-
tation closely follows the Istanbul
Protocol. An electronic database
keeps all data.
organisations working in lobbying
and advocacy to utilise in preven-
tion work.
Information and advocacy
CSU is currently not doing much
advocacy due to environmental
constraints. We keep a database of
information and pass it to local, re-
gional and international advocacy
organisations.
Networking
CSU is active in local NGO networks
and coalitions, the IRCT Sub Saha-
ran Regional network and works
closely with international bodies
such as Human Rights Watch, Am-
nesty International and relevant
UN bodies.
Funding
CSU is usually adequately funded
by a core group of funders.
Future plans
Carry out awareness campaigns on
the impact of OVT; upgrade train-
ing to include best practices in
management and documentation
of OVT; carry out more prevention
activities.
Phone: +263 4 772 883
Fax: +263 4 731 660,
Mobile: +263 912 308 544; +263
912 260 378
csu@medco.co.zw; franlove-
more@gmail.com; fidemudimu@
gmail.com
Established
1993
Director(s)
Dr. Frances Ann Lovemore
Contact person(s)
Dr. Frances Ann Lovemore, Mr.
Fidelis Mudimu
Staff
4 physicians
5 nurses
3 nurse counsellors
2 clinical psychologists
19 administration staff
countrywide network of doctors
and consultants
network of part-time counsellors
network of medical students to
assist in documentation
Working language(s)
English, Shona, Ndebele
Number of clients treated per year
9023 primary, secondary and
other clients (2008)

Services
Medical Psychological
Physiotherapy Legal
Counselling Language courses
Community visits Housing
Financial assistance Other:
Psychiatric
Referrals
Social welfare
Family-based treatment

148
 The IRCT gratefully wishes to acknowledge
the following for their support:
IRCT member centres and programmes

© International Rehabilitation Council Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

for Torture Victims (IRCT), 2008 Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The OAK Foundation
IRCT
Borgergade 13 The Sigrid Rausing Trust
PO Box 9049 European Commission
1022 Copenhagen K Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Denmark
Norwegian Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Phone: +45 33 76 06 00 Canadian Embassy in Cairo
Fax: +45 33 76 05 00 Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
irct@irct.org
Foreign & Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom
www.irct.org
Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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ISBN 87-88882-18-7 The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of

Torture
Disclaimer: The IRCT has attempted to ensure that the data Inge Genefke and Bent Sørensen’s Anti-Torture
contained in this directory are updated and accurate. However, in Support Foundation
some instances, centres and programmes were unable to provide
new information about their activities and therefore some entries And a number of private foundations and individual
are derived from the 2006 edition of this directory. donors

The International Rehabilitation Council for Tor-
ture Victims (IRCT) is an independent, interna-
tional health professional organisation that pro-
motes and supports the rehabilitation of torture
victims and works for the prevention of torture
worldwide.
Based in Denmark, the IRCT works in collabora-
tion with a global network of 142 rehabilitation
centres and programmes worldwide. The IRCT
also works in partnership with governments,
human rights organisations, health profession-
al organisations and intergovernmental organi-
sations.
2008
December 2008
IRCT member centres
The organisation has special consultative status
IRCT member centres and programmes
with the UN Economic and Social Council, par-
ticipatory status with the Council of Europe and
observer status with the African Commission on
Human and People’s Rights. and programmes
The IRCT works closely with health professional
organisations, including the World Medical As-
sociation (WMA), the World Psychiatric Associa-
tion (WPA), the International Council of Nurses
(ICN), and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR).
International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims