100745: Working with Survivors of Torture: Approaches to Helping

About the Course:

This is a two article course. Article 1 (_Working with Survivors of Torture: Approaches to Helping_) Survivors of torture often have physical and psychological scars that are difficult to heal, and too few specialized organizational and professional resources are available to assist in their recovery. In working with torture survivors, social workers must extend their scope of practice beyond what is normally required. In this article, the authors describe 2 case vignettes that illustrate themes and issues common to many survivors of torture. Article 2 (_A Plague of Our Time: Torture, Human Rights, and Social Work_) Social work provides services to refugees and immigrants, the groups most likely to have been tortured, and despite this, the professional literature contains little information on torture or torture treatment. In this article, the authors discuss the extent of torture worldwide, review the prevalence of torture survivors in the United States, and discuss populations most at risk and the effects of torture. In the heart of the article, they discuss treatment considerations and resources for social workers involved with torture survivors. Working with survivors requires knowledge about human rights violations; identification of symptoms of torture and survivors reluctant to reveal this part of their past; community context and treatment environments; skills in healing trauma; advocacy; and brokering necessary medical, mental health, legal, and social services.COURSE SYLLABUS Article I I. Introduction II. A Refugee Family from Africa III. Discussion of the Work with Family C IV. A Central American Torture Survivor V. Discussion of the Case of Miss M. VI. Issues and Implications for Social Work Article II I. Introduction II. Human Rights and Torture III. The Prevalence of Torture IV. Effects of Torture V. Working with Survivors of Torture VI. Practice Implications

Publication Date:

2004/Vol. 85, No. 3

Authors

David W. Engstrom, PhD; Amy Okamura, MSW, LCSW

About the Authors:

Associate Professor San Diego State University Vice President, Board of Directors Survivors of Torture, International

Survivors of Torture, International Lecturer San Diego State University

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about working with survivors of torture. It is appropriate for participants with all levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. identify themes and issues common to survivors of torture.

2. describe general approaches to helping survivors of torture at the individual and societal levels.