Center for Survivors of Torture

Last updated
Center for Survivors of Torture
AbbreviationCST
Formation1997 (1997)
TypeNon-profit 501(c)(3) organization
PurposeRehabilitating international torture survivors
Headquarters Dallas, TX
Region
Global
Official language
English

Center for Survivors of Torture (CST) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in Dallas, Texas with an office in Austin, Texas. CST was founded in 1997 with the mission of rehabilitating international torture survivors through counseling, medical, legal, and social services. [1]

Contents

History

CST has helped more than 1,850 torture survivors, refugees, human trafficking victims, and asylum seekers from more than 65 countries in both Texas and Oklahoma. In 2012, CST Dallas alone helped more than 550 survivors from more than 70 countries. [2] It is the only active organization in the southwest United States that is licensed in international torture treatment. [3]

Services

CST’s services include mental health counseling, forensic legal and medical reports, medical and legal services and referrals, community outreach and education, food, clothing, transportation, English practice and tutoring, mentoring, acculturation, social events, art therapy, computer and internet access, and employment assistance and preparation. [4]

Efficacy

Clients who receive services from CST regularly for at least three months report a significant decrease in symptoms. Clients are better able to eat, sleep, and function normally and live contentedly and securely. Asylum seekers are able to participate in their legal cases, thereby more likely able to obtain asylum. [5]

Client demographics

CST clients come from more than 65 different countries from several different regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Clients tend to be highly educated and presented strong leadership in democratic movements in their home countries.

Severity and duration of client reactions and treatments vary greatly depending on what each individual client experienced in their home country. [6]

Accreditation and affiliations

Related Research Articles

The psychology of torture refers to the psychological processes underlying all aspects of torture including the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim, the immediate and long-term effects, and the political and social institutions that influence its use. Torture itself is the use of physical or psychological pain to control the victim or fulfill some needs of the perpetrator.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torture</span> Deliberate infliction of suffering on a person

Torture is the deliberate infliction of severe pain or suffering on a person for reasons such as punishment, extracting a confession, interrogation for information, or intimidating third parties. Some definitions are restricted to acts carried out by the state, but others include non-state organizations.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tahirih Justice Center</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims</span> Non-governmental organization

The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) is an independent, international health professional organization that promotes and supports the rehabilitation of torture victims and works for the prevention of torture worldwide. Based in Denmark, the IRCT is the umbrella organization for over 160 independent torture rehabilitation organizations in 76 countries that treat and assist torture survivors and their families. They advocate for holistic rehabilitation for all victims of torture, which can include access to justice, reparations, and medical, psychological, and psycho-social counseling. The IRCT does this through strengthening the capacity of their membership, enabling an improved policy environment for torture victims, and generating and share knowledge on issues related to the rehabilitation of torture victims. Professionals at the IRCT rehabilitation centers and programs provide treatment for an estimated 100,000 survivors of torture every year. Victims receive multidisciplinary support including medical and psychological care and legal aid. The aim of the rehabilitation process is to empower torture survivors to resume as full a life as possible. In 1988, IRCT, along with founder Inge Genefke, was given the Right Livelihood Award "for helping those whose lives have been shattered by torture to regain their health and personality."

José Quiroga is a cardiologist who served as a physician to Chilean president Salvador Allende. During the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, Quiroga witnessed the Chilean Army assault the government palace. He was detained and beaten until his release was ordered by a Chilean military general.

The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is an international observance held annually on 26 June to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors throughout the world.

This is a day on which we pay our respects to those who have endured the unimaginable. This is an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable. It is long overdue that a day be dedicated to remembering and supporting the many victims and survivors of torture around the world.

On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we express our solidarity with, and support for, the hundreds of thousands of victims of torture and their family members throughout the world who endure such suffering. We also note the obligation of States not only to prevent torture but to provide all torture victims with effective and prompt redress, compensation and appropriate social, psychological, medical and other forms of rehabilitation. Both the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council have now strongly urged States to establish and support rehabilitation centers or facilities.

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The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is an international non-profit headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota that provides direct care for those who have been tortured, trains partner organizations in the United States and around the world who can prevent and treat torture, conducts research to understand how best to heal survivors, and advocates for an end to torture.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Program for Torture Victims</span>

The Program for Torture Victims (PTV) is a non-profit organization that provides medical, psychological, case management and legal services to torture survivors. PTV serves more than 300 victims of state-sponsored torture from over 65 countries annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition</span>

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The Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture (PSOT) was established in 1995 as joint project of Bellevue Hospital Center and the New York University School of Medicine to address the complex needs of torture survivors residing in the New York Metropolitan area. Since its founding, the Program continues to operate from Bellevue Hospital Center, located at 462 First Avenue CD723, New York City, NY 10016. The Program is the first and largest torture treatment center in the New York City area, providing multidisciplinary and comprehensive medical, mental health, legal, and social services to victims of torture and their families. PSOT's mission is to assist individuals subjected to torture and other human rights abuses to rebuild healthy, self-sufficient lives, and contribute to global efforts to end torture. Since its inception in 1995, PSOT has provided care to help rebuild the lives of more than 5,000 men, women, and children from over 100 countries.

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Spirasi is the Irish national independent centre for the rehabilitation of victims of torture.

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References

  1. "About | Center for Survivors of Torture". Cstnet.org. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  2. "Center for Survivors of Torture gets grant from Meadows as refugee flow increases in Texas | The Scoop Blog". Thescoopblog.dallasnews.com. 2013-06-18. Archived from the original on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  3. [ dead link ]
  4. "Services | Center for Survivors of Torture". Cstnet.org. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  5. Dianne Solís (2013-07-03). "Dallas agency helps refugees and other immigrants who suffer through trauma | Dallasnews.com - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  6. "PTSD in Refugees - NATIONAL CENTER for PTSD". Ptsd.va.gov. Archived from the original on 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  7. "All members by region". Irct.org. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  8. "Member Centers". NCTTP. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  9. "Network Member Profiles". Physicians for Human Rights. Archived from the original on 2013-10-01. Retrieved 2013-08-16.