INTRODUCTION: The resource kit is produced by the IRCT, the umbrella organisation for more than 140 independent international torture rehabilitation centres promoting and supporting torture rehabilitation and working for the prevention of torture worldwide. This resource kit is produced as part of a three year project entitled “Developing the Capacity of IRCT Member Centres to Deliver Holistic Torture Rehabilitation Services through South-South and South-North Peer Supervision and Support”, funded by the European Commission from 2010–2012.

We hope this kit will be of use to a wide range of professionals working with torture survivors in contexts around the world. It captures the results of exchanges and workshops held to address a range of rehabilitation issues under this project and we hope it provides a user-friendly overview of the main concepts and practices in torture rehabilitation. It is based on work with the project partners from several countries and across various types of practice contexts including Cameroon, Uganda, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Lebanon and Palestine. The examples, case studies and findings in the kit are largely gained from direct work with clients. However, this kit does not specifically reflect the clinical/rehabilitation programmes of any one partner centre and for that reason, we hope that service providers will find a menu of approaches that relate to their context.

The information included represents a “getting started” and “where to go for more information” guide. We present options for providers along a continuum of services they might choose to provide, from implementing a survivor service component in their ongoing practice to developing a full-service torture rehabilitation program. Some of the main elements to consider when thinking about rehabilitation and related support services to survivors of torture include the need for specialized assessment and care, with a focus on programs that will help survivors to heal, and rebuild lives of self-reliance and hope for themselves and their families.

Not all torture survivors require a full-service rehabilitation program. Some may seek specific services such as counselling, medical services, legal assistance, help with family reunification, or in finding housing and/or employment. Some survivors may not be sure about what they need or the services possible to enable their recovery process to begin. While torture rehabilitation programs and services may not meet the needs of all torture survivors, they can benefit from referrals to the appropriate service providers and/or individuals that can help in the local community…