Center for Victims of Torture

09/28/2023

Because Sumayah is an admin assistant, she’s one of the first faces a client sees upon visiting !

It’s a flurry of activity, the phone constantly ringing and staff and clients constantly asking her questions. A client once complimented her on her smiles.

“When I meet a client for the first time, after they finish therapy, I can see the difference between the first time and the last time.”

“Working with CVT is meaningful to me. Thank God for everything in my life. My colleagues too are very kind!”

09/27/2023

Many of our colleagues start their day off with coffee or sweetened tea with sage—an herb commonly used not for seasoning meat, but for tea in this country 🍵

09/26/2023

In honor of Su***de Prevention month, The Centre for Corporate Health has created a method entitled R U OK? to encourage mental health discussions at work, and our colleagues at CVT have found them useful!

Below are a few ways they suggest we can collectively make a difference:

1. Education and Awareness: Take the time to educate yourself and others about the warning signs of su***de and the resources available for support. Share this knowledge with your colleagues, friends, and family members.

2. Be a Listening Ear: Sometimes, all it takes is a caring and non-judgmental conversation to make a significant impact. Reach out to your colleagues, friends, or loved ones who may be struggling, and let them know you are there to listen and offer support.

3. Encourage Help-Seeking: Make sure everyone in our organization is aware of the available mental health resources, such as counseling services. Encourage those who are struggling to seek help and assure them that doing so is a sign of strength.

4. Foster a Supportive Environment: Create a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health and well-being, and encourages open dialogue.

5. Practice Self-Care: Take care of your own mental health. Engage in activities that rejuvenate you, seek support when needed, and practice self-compassion. By prioritizing our own well-being, we become better equipped to support others.

For more info and a video on how to ask R U OK?, visit: https://www.ruok.org.au/work

***dePrevention ***deAwareness

09/21/2023

CVT is proud to endorse the Brittany Clardy Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Act, introduced by Rep. Ilhan Omar and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

This will establish a national office in The United States Department of Justice dedicated to missing and murdered Black women.

In their statement, Rep. Omar wrote, “The crisis of missing and murdered Black women and girls demands urgent action. This is not just a piece of legislation; it's a beacon of hope for Black women and girls across the nation.”

Read more at http://bit.ly/48qIwEe

09/21/2023

We believe in the power of hope, compassion, and kindness. And, we strive for these values to shine through each aspect of our work. To read more about what this looks like, visit our new website: cvt.org

09/20/2023

We’re hiring! We seek a Program or Project Coordinator to provide program support to our National Capacity Building (NCB) project, including event and meeting planning and coordination, publicity and mailings, printing and web publication, liaison work with outside agencies and vendors and communication with participating centers. Fully remote in the U.S. For details and to apply, go to: https://bit.ly/3RqY6dh

09/20/2023

🚨NEWS: As part of her work with the Coalition of Refugee Services Agencies (CRSA), Darlene Lynch, head of external relations for CVT Georgia was profiled by the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

She spoke about her for refugees and the need for supportive policies, saying, “Our work is not just about advancing a bill. It’s about educating people about other people's experiences — building empathy.”

The article was also picked up by Georgia Law News. Read here bit.ly/44YFVie

09/19/2023

It is important to remember that the communities that have been labeled Hispanic and Latine are actually very racially diverse!

The term “Spanish” should only be used to describe a person, product or cultural expression from the country of Spain. For more, check out: https://www.ketchum.com/hispanic-latino-latinx-spanish-clarifying-terms-for-hispanic-heritage-month/

09/18/2023

For survivors of torture, access to housing impacts healing. That’s where the partnership between CVT’s St. Paul Healing Center and Sarah's an Oasis for Women is so important for women clients who have survived torture. Sarah’s offers ongoing supportive housing, while at the same time clinicians at CVT’s center provide clinical care: both help clients as they rebuild their lives. Jill Davidson, CVT social services lead, said, “With a room at Sarah’s, a client can focus on her health and make progress toward her goals, things like meeting with her asylum attorney, focusing on her health and medical needs, focusing on employment and gaining independence.” Click to read more.

For survivors of torture, access to housing impacts healing. CVT clinicians work to ensure that clients who have survived deeply traumatic experiences have stability and feel safe. Yet, meeting needs for shelter and other basic necessities is difficult in many locations.

09/18/2023

On the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran, CVT participated in a rally Saturday in Minneapolis as part of the global “Woman Life Freedom” movement. In remarks at the event, a CVT clinician called for accountability for human rights abuses, which include ongoing reports of torture and other cruel treatment, commenting, “Torture takes away pieces of survivors’ hearts and leaves emptiness inside, no matter how resilient or courageous they are.”

Minnesota Committee in Support of a Democratic Iran (MCSDI)

09/15/2023

For more about our clients and the work we do to support them, visit our new website at CVT.org.

09/14/2023

“Currently, our coalition is working to dismantle the war-based policy and legal architecture that has led to endless war, unlawful killing, unlawful detention, torture, conflict, mass displacement, and other abuses particularly against Muslim, Brown and Black communities abroad,” writes the Human Rights and Security Coalition in a recent statement with Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International USA, Center for Civilians in Conflict, and several others.

“We recognize these policies also harmfully impact communities in the United States, and seek to highlight those connections.”

Read the rest of the report at HRW:

The undersigned members of the Human Rights and Security Coalition write in advance of the 139th session of the UN Human Rights Committee (the “Committee”) and its review of the United States of America (US). This submission addresses the US government’s compliance with obligations under the I...

09/14/2023

“Diana and the family continued moving forward, working with the CVT case manager and bringing their strong sense of optimism to their situation.”

Read the rest of our newest client story: https://www.cvt.org/stories/dianas-story/

09/13/2023

No one is immune to torture.

A nurse’s job is to help the sick and wounded. When Manal was expected to ignore the needs of those in opposition to her government in Syria, she pushed back and was thrown in jail.

Torture is illegal, but it happens: https://www.cvt.org/campaign/torture-is-illegal/

09/13/2023

A group photo of our CVT Nairobi team and one of our partnership officers this week!

09/12/2023

Last week our colleague Naweed Ahmadzai, a CVT MN Afghan Program Manager, was quoted in MinnPost to talk about our Afghan programming:

“(The project) focuses on trying to connect with Afghans, offering them different kinds of psychoeducation groups,” Ahmadzai said.

“With the Afghan population or a lot of the populations coming from other parts of the world, it’s very hard for us to talk about some of some of the mental health things that are coming up, whether it’s PTSD or navigating new health care in a new country, and usually there’s a lot of side effects.”

To read the rest, head to https://www.minnpost.com/race-health-equity/2023/09/addressing-the-mental-health-needs-for-minnesota-refugees/

09/12/2023

Last week our colleague Naweed Ahmadzai, a CVT MN Afghan Program Manager, was quoted in :

“(The project) focuses on trying to connect with Afghans, offering them different kinds of psychoeducation groups,” Ahmadzai said.

“With the Afghan population or a lot of the populations coming from other parts of the world, it’s very hard for us to talk about some of some of the mental health things that are coming up, whether it’s PTSD or navigating new health care in a new country, and usually there’s a lot of side effects.”

To read the rest, head to the link in our bio!

09/12/2023

Our clients are survivors from around the globe. To read more about them and the work we do to support their healing journey, visit the link in our bio.

09/12/2023

Our clients are survivors from around the globe. Read more about them and the work we do to support them at cvt.org.

09/11/2023

❤️ CVT loves companies that care! This year, we are honored to thank our presenting sponsor for the Restoring Hope Breakfast, Integrated Direct Marketing, LLC (IDM).

Join us on October 26 to see the amazing healing that you, and companies like IDM, help make possible in the lives of survivors of torture. Register today at the link in our bio!

08/31/2023

is common, especially if you’re working in an environment that takes emotional energy.

Building and addressing provider burnout is one of the many areas of CVT’s work, and an important way we remain trauma-informed for both our clients and colleagues.

One of the ways we do this is through supportive supervision. Read more about this here: https://www.cvt.org/articles/the-importance-of-supportive-supervision-for-mental-health-professionals/

08/29/2023

Center for Victims of Torture Georgia has been busy -- check out their program stats from this past year!

To learn more about the work they're doing throughout the state, check out their social media or our new site: https://www.cvt.org.

08/28/2023

The Center for Victims of Torture Jordan team has been working with different universities in an effort to integrate trauma-focused strategies into their physiotherapy curriculum.

Last week, this hard work paid off: The team signed an MOU with .university and will start working with them on their new semester!

08/28/2023

The Center for Victims of Torture Jordan - مركز ضحايا التعذيب الاردن team has been working with different universities in an effort to integrate trauma-focused strategies into their physiotherapy curriculum.

Last week, this hard work paid off: The team signed an MOU with الجامعة الهاشمية The Hashemite University and will start working with them on their new semester!

08/24/2023

Self-care is essential to our well-being, especially those working in or peer support roles. It’s not only helpful for addressing current issues, but can act as a preventative measure for .

08/24/2023

Remember to check in with the people you love, including yourself. It can make all the difference 💙

🎨: on Instagram

08/24/2023

“CVT - Ethiopia provides a range of service to refugees and International Displaced Persons throughout Ethiopia in Amhara, Gambella and Tigray. The work they are doing is inspirational.” Australian Embassy, Ethiopia

08/22/2023

08/22/2023

How each of us at CVT define justice may look a little different, but our survivors thriving is always at the helm.

How do you define justice?

08/18/2023

It's okay to say no 💚

🎨: on Instagram

08/17/2023

As we lean into healing and empowerment, our advocates, mental health and physiotherapy teams always center the holistic health of our survivors.

for Victims of Torture Georgia St. Cloud

Read more about the work of our experts at our new site: https://www.cvt.org

08/16/2023

❓ DYK there are no international -based controls on the trade in law enforcement equipment used for ?

It is time for a Treaty.

We have a long history of working to end the out-of-control trade in goods used for , including at the international level.
⭐ Keep informed about what's happening: we regularly update our website on key developments in the ongoing international process: https://t.co/J8yOHkxCDh

With colleagues at Amnesty International, Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic, Center for Victims of Torture, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, OMCT, Association for the Prevention of Torture, & FIACAT FIACAT, we are calling for a Treaty. Organisations from around the world have joined us & signed the : https://lnkd.in/eyDTXmFF

If you’d like to learn more & get involved, let us know! https://lnkd.in/eYUGFz9w

08/16/2023

“The international community has rallied behind Ukraine,” Simon Adams, CVT President and CEO writes.

“But behind the frontlines there is another war going on. Ordinary Ukrainians are fighting to hold on to normalcy and digest a steady diet of anguish.”

Since February 2022, Ukraine has become the cynosure of the world. Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, thought he could conquer Kyiv and subdue Ukraine in a matter of days. Instead, eighteen months later, Ukraine is still fiercely resisting and daily life in Kyiv appears deceptively normal.

08/15/2023

Healing from trauma is possible.

08/10/2023

The data is in! Our St. Paul Healing Center has released their impact report on the clients they supported in 2022.

08/09/2023

We're inviting you to join us as we stand together to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit. This year’s featured speaker is Medhanye, who's coming from Ethiopia to share his story.

The Restoring Hope Breakfast will be in-person at the McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis, and registration is now open! The breakfast is free and open to all - register here! https://www.classy.org/event/restoring-hope-breakfast/e494291

08/09/2023

Read more about this joint effort here: https://freedomhouse.org/article/worlds-indigenous-peoples-day-ngos-renew-call-release-nasser-zefzafi-detention-morocco

On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we, the undersigned civil society organizations, call for the immediate and unconditional release of Nasser Zefzafi from his unjust detention in Morocco. Zefzafi is a human rights defender serving a 20-year prison sentence for peaceful ac...