Pursuing justice often plays a major role in the rehabilitation of a torture survivor and in the fight against impunity. However, the legal process is for most victims an extremely stressful, emotional and unfamiliar experience. Even where legal proceedings take place, court mechanisms and investigating authorities often do not fully take into consideration, or adequately respond to, the particular needs and expectations of torture victims during the judicial process. This lack of care and support not only affects the victim’s important contribution to the legal process but may also ultimately lead to their re-traumatisation.

This report highlights the stories of five torture survivors who chose to pursue justice with psychosocial support from IRCT member centres. It also highlights the role and experience of 37 IRCT member centres that already provide psychosocial support to torture victims involved in legal proceedings.

With this report we emphasise that appropriate psychosocial support is essential to torture victims who pursue justice, to prepare them adequately for court and to manage their expectations and psychological state throughout the legal process. The various multidisciplinary support interventions not only benefit the well-being of the torture victim – by providing both psychological and social support – but also contribute significantly to enhancing the interaction between the victim and the court.

The solution to providing torture victims with adequate care and protection will require a combination of efforts. States need to recognise their obligations to provide – through legislative measures and funding – adequate care and protection to victims that choose to pursue justice. Courts need to better understand the needs and vulnerabilities of torture victims and how these can impact their ability to interact with and contribute to the legal process. Legal professionals and health professionals need to collaborate to share knowledge and expertise and provide coordinated support to victims.

The IRCT hopes – through this report – to contribute to improving the experience of torture victims at court and highlight the critical role that torture victims play in bringing perpetrators to justice and in the overall fight against impunity…