The aim of rehabilitation is to empower victims of torture to resume as full a life as possible. Rebuilding the life of someone whose dignity has been destroyed takes time and as a result long-term material, medical, psychological and social support is needed.
Treatment must be a coordinated effort that covers both physical and psychological aspects. In accordance with the patients' needs, problems, expectations, views and cultural references, the rehabilitation should be:
Holistic and comprehensive;
Available, appropriate, accessible and provided in a way that guarantees the safety and personal integrity of the victims, their family and their caregivers;
Provided at the earliest possible point in time after the torture event, without a requirement for the victim to pursue judicial remedies, but solely based on recommendations by a qualified health professional;
Provided in close consultation with the victim and tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual victim;
Adequately funded, including by national governments.
The holistic approach to rehabilitation services
The consequences of torture are likely to be influenced by many internal and external factors. Therefore, rehabilitation needs to employ different treatment approaches, taking into account the victims' individual needs, as well as the cultural, social and political environment.
Since April 2000, RCTV Memoria offers multi-disciplinary support and counseling to survivors of torture from Moldova, including:
medical care and treatment of sequels
psychotherapeutic treatment / trauma healing
psychosocial support and social reintegration
documentation of cases
legal services or support for access to justice and redress
