Project 1: Good practice in torture care

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Project 1: Good practice in Torture Care

Trans-national research into self-evaluation processes in specialised centres working with victims of torture and human rights violations.

 

This project was funded by the European Comission (European Refugee Fund) and was successfully completed in February 2010.

 

Aim of the project

The aim of the project was to develop criteria of self evaluation and methods to assess refugees’ problems, their needs and their treatment. The core activity of the project consists of a process of self-evaluation which is carried out by each participating centre. Two team members from each centre (Equator Foundation - Amsterdam, ICAR Foundation - Bucharest, Primo Levi Association- Paris, Xenion - Berlin, ZEBRA - Graz) took part in the whole process. They lead the process of self-evaluation in their teams, facilitated this process and documented the discussions. The results of the carefully documented team days provided the base for further developments. The process was accompanied by an internal and an external evaluator.

Self evaluation

The self evaluation process was focused on the areas that represent the work of the centres:  

  • documentation of client data and standards of confidentiality
  • methods of assessment of refugees’ problems, needs, treatment, 
  • methods of reaching health and social systems via training and prevention work,
  • successes and failures in lobbying for vulnerable groups, especially victims of torture, and facilitating adequate decision making in asylum procedures by state bodies and EU.

The methodology used was based on a model also used in conflict and crisis areas and allows for comparison of diversity. The general principles of this self-evaluation process ares based on the perception that severe traumatic experiences are complex and ever-changing processes that need space for evolution and changes. The process must be empowering for the persons working in the field. Development of a common approach must be based on the appreciation of diversity.

Publication

As a result, the book “Good Practice in the Care of Victims of Torture” was published in November 2011:
 
Bittenbinder, E. (Ed.). (2010). Good Practice in the Care of Victims of Torture. Karlsruhe: van Loeper Literaturverlag.
ISBN 978-3-86059-437-7
 
You can order the book at the website of "von Loeper Literaturverlag".
 
Here you can download a pdf-version of the publication.
 

 

We hope that the examples, information and recommendations assembled in this publication will help various groups of professionals working in this field to learn about the diversity of approaches and methods applied in the rehabilitation and support of victims of torture. We also hope that some of our suggestions will be taken up, and that our experience will offer a framework for other institutions which need to evaluate and develop their work.