1. Day 2 Political Torture and Sexual Violence

2. Definition of “torture”: “The deliberate, systematic or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering to force a person to yield information, to make a confession or for any other reason” (29 th World Medical Association, 1975).

3. Torture is often a (state-sanctioned) instrument of political and social control: 1. It is intended to rob the victim of a “voice”, their agency; 2. Intended to serve as a warning to the general populace, to terrorize the population and end resistance; 3. Intended to make persons feel subjugated and destroy one’s personality, one’s spirit; 4. To stifle dissent, intimidate opposition and strengthen the forces of tyranny; 5. To uncover intelligence, to obtain statements, or generally break bodies and minds.

4. Prevalence: AI estimates that the systematic use of state sanctioned torture has increased almost 25% in the last decade; AI notes that torture is employed in more than 100 countries; In the US alone, there are an estimated 200,000 – 400,000 refugee survivors of torture.

5. Torture is often precise and systematic: Medical personnel often participate during interrogations in order to ensure that the person does not die and to estimate the amount of torture the person can withstand (for example the voltage and duration of electrical shocks before the heart stops). State sanctioned nature can often shield individual perpetrators from a sense of personal responsibility (Govt produced manuals).

6. Common forms of torture: Sexual torture (and mutilation); Prolonged beatings (random); Sleep deprivation and/or sensory overload; Electric shocks; Mock executions; Threats to person on their family; Forced to witness or participate in torture of others; Even cannibalism (Sierra Leone example).

7. Social Context of Torture: Individual torture victims exist in social context. A “culture of fear” emerges comprised of victims, bystanders and perpetrator roles. Massive social repression results where truth is perverted and the use of torture is a secret that is denied by the state… = “circle of denial”

8. Problems that can result from torture: Medical Medical problems (weak heart, kidneys, broken bones, etc) & w/sexual torture (mutilated genitalia, pregnancy, venereal disease, menstrual disorders, chronic abdominal pain).

9. Problems that can result from torture: Social Possible family and community rejection, divorce, disbelief, being disowned, even murdered by family members (esp. if “honor” of the family has been perceived to be “tarnished” as in the case of sexual violence against women). May never be able to be married or may be forced to marry abuser (to “regain” honor).

10. Problems that can result from torture: Psychological Somatic symptoms, (feelings of) guilt/responsibility, helplessness, shame, extreme anxiety, impaired memory, insomnia, nightmares, sexual dysfunction/fear of intimacy, decreased functioning in occupational and social spheres, substance abuse, suicide attempts, changes in world view and loss of spiritual beliefs/ sense of meaning and purpose in life…

11. Promoting recovery and Resilience: 1. Acknowledge political ideals/beliefs that led to the torture, be aware of significance in cultural context; 2. Integrate principles of power and liberation theory; 3. Help person/community search for their own sense of meaning (whether attributed to imperialism, karma, or “God’s will”…); 4. Helper must be emotionally prepared, do not pull away, help to “normalize” and remove shame.

12. Promoting recovery and Resilience: Do not depoliticize the situation by focusing on individual out of social context. The system is pathological, the individual reactions are normal given the circumstances and may have helped person cope during the torture (ie- hyper- vigilance, emotional numbing, etc) Explore past power structures and present ones, attempt to empower in current life.

13. Community approach to rehab/ Herman’s 3 stages: 1.Establish safety – focus on immediate practical needs and building trust. 2. Reconstruction – narrative, formalized testimony, via artistic expression/ religious means or other methods, attach meaning, etc. and adrs. grief and anger…shame may turn to anger as a part of a healthy process. 3. Reconnection – consider need for justice//political activism, link with others/solidarity, establish connections btwn victims and bystanders, rebuilding lives and moving beyond…emphasize social and family support networks, survivor is more than the sum of their torture experiences.

14. Case study Palestinian man, survivor of torture – currently living in Egypt (1) Chose at least one theoretical model (and possibly several) that could be used to understand some of the concerns of this client conceptually. Briefly explain the model and justify your selection of the model by referencing specific sections of the case study that appear relevant. Ex: DSM, Berry/acculturative stress, Dejar. flight stages and loss, or Herman’s recovery model. (2) Highlight at least two (and possibly several more), interventions that may be appropriate in this particular case and justify why you have chosen these interventions. (3) Comment on whether or not there is any missing information that you would like to obtain from the client or whether or not you believe that you have all the information necessary to make conclusive recommendations in this case.