The health of survivors of torture and organised violence

United Nations' definition of torture1

Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as:

obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession,

punishing him for an act that he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed,

or intimidating or coercing him or a third person,

or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind,

when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of a public official acting in an official capacity.

Summary points

Torture and organised violence are still prevalent in many countries and have previously been experienced by some refugees in the United Kingdom

The problems of survivors of torture and organised violence are not fully appreciated within the health services

Survivors of torture may not volunteer their history due to feelings of guilt, shame, or mistrust; consideration must be given to building a relationship of trust

Much can be done by health workers to alleviate the physical and psychological difficulties that face survivors