Counselling victims of torture

Supporting people injured under torture

Description

Counselling victims of torture involves providing specialized psychological support to help individuals process trauma, rebuild trust, and regain emotional stability. This strategy focuses on creating a safe environment, facilitating expression of experiences, and teaching coping mechanisms to address anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Practical interventions include trauma-informed therapy, crisis intervention, and referral to medical or legal services, aiming to restore dignity, promote recovery, and support reintegration into society.

Context

On 26 June 1998 the international community observed the first United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture channels humanitarian assistance to an increasing number of organizations that help victims of torture every year. Thanks to a substantial increase in the contributions received from Governments, the Fund will disburse more than $4 million in 1998-1999 for medical, psychological, social, financial and legal assistance to about 100 organizations that assist some 60,000 victims of torture worldwide.