Torture is a crime against humanity, often used as a
mechanism of repression against people who are seeking political freedom.
Its purpose is to control populations by destroying individual leaders and
terrorizing entire communities. Amnesty International reports that
systematic torture and other forms of maltreatment are practiced in 121 of
the 205 nations of the world. Torture inflicts spiritual as well as physical
and psychological injury, therefore many individuals who survive torture and
other forms of psychological trauma seek help in our churches.
The breakdown of civil order has led to large-scale
displacement and maltreatment of whole groups of peoples in several parts of
the world. Many of the refugees from war-torn countries who seek asylum in
the United States are victims of torture. The Center for Victims of Torture
in Minneapolis estimates that 500,000 survivors of torture now reside in our
country.
Caught in the middle of a war zone, civilian refugees
often experience greater brutality than combatants. In addition, war zones
allow little opportunity to deal with emotional pain. Both child and adult
refugees are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other
severe mental health problems as a direct result of their experience of
war-trauma, torture, and displacement from their homes. A study involving a
diverse group of refugees residing in the U.S. from the Middle East, Africa,
Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia found that almost 80 percent had
PTSD.
Typically, torture survivors display symptoms of PTSD that
are similar to those of others who endure systematic and extended episodes
of abuse (such as rape victims, prisoners of war, spouse abuse survivors).
The syndrome represents the struggle that torture victims have in adequately
managing the terrible memories of their abuse. It is as if their minds and
bodies are alarm clocks waking them up to the reality of their experiences
and preventing them from forgetting their hell on earth.
Torture-related PTSD symptoms include intrusive memories
of the traumatic event that take the form of nightmares, night terrors,
flashbacks (sudden recalling of the event during the day with or without
volition), and other "wake-up" signals. In reaction to these stimuli are
another set of symptoms. They include heightened arousal following reminders
of the torture and related memories which take the form of increased heart
and respiration rates, sweating, excessive behaviors associated with
distress, and other symptoms of distress.
Most frequently, torture victims believe they are losing
their minds. They develop elaborate ways of avoiding reminders and managing
the consequent torture-related distress. The torture victims will eventually
need to address and answer five questions, the answers to which enable them
to learn from their experiences and move on in their lives: What happened to
me during and following the torture experience? Why did it happen to me? Why
did I behave as I did during and following the torture? And what if I am
captured and tortured again? Will I be able to cope?
Religious faith can be of help to torture survivors who
suffer from psychological trauma. A recent study published in the Journal
of the American Medical Associationexamined the impact of torture on
Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Torture survivors who were practicing Buddhists
were less likely to be depressed or anxious. A separate study of refugee
Buddhist nuns and students who had been tortured in Tibet revealed that
their spiritual practice provided protective coping mechanisms for these
Tibetans suffering the trauma of torture.
Churches can play an important role in the fight against
this form of inhumanity by becoming advocates against torture. Amnesty
International is one example of a worldwide organization that works to
promote human rights. It campaigns to free prisoners of conscience; ensure
fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; abolish the death penalty,
torture, and other cruel treatment of prisoners; end political killings and
"disappearances";" and it opposes human rights abuses by opposition groups.
It is one of several organizations that advocate for humane treatment and
human rights that people of conscience can join (see resources).
Torture often cuts off survivors from the rest of society,
exacerbating their problems. The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (see
resources) helps concerned persons provide support to survivors through its
Volunteer Friendship Program. Each volunteer is trained in the effects of
torture and the needs of survivors and then linked with a survivor in a
one-on-one relationship. A volunteer acts as a friend, as well as being a
connection with the new community. These volunteers form part of a social
network of personal support, helping survivors to function well within their
new home. Churches can use such a friendship model to train their members to
offer support to survivors of torture.
Andrew J. Weaver, M.Th., Ph.D.,
is a United Methodist pastor and a clinical psychologist living in New York
City. He has co-authored 11 books includingReflections on Marriage and
the Spiritual Journey (Abingdon, 2003). Counseling Survivors of
Traumatic Events (Abingdon, 2003), Reflections on Grief and the
Spiritual Journey ( Abingdon, 2005) and Wells of Wisdom; Grandparents
and Spiritual Journeys(Pilgrim, 2005).
Carolyn L. Stapleton, D.Min., J.D.,
is a United Methodist minister and an attorney. She is Associate Pastor of
Chinese United Methodist Church in New York City and the co-author of
Marriage and the Spiritual Journey (Abingdon, 2003) and Wells of
Wisdom; Grandparents and Spiritual Journeys (Pilgrim, 2005).
RESOURCES
-- Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma;
431 East Belvedere, Baltimore, MD 21212; (410) 464-9006;
www.astt.org; is a non-profit group of
physicians, psychologists, social workers, ancillary health care providers,
and human rights advocates who work together to help survivors of torture
and trauma.
--Amnesty International, 5 Penn
Plaza, 14th floor New York,NY 10001; (212) 807-8400;
www.amnesty.org; is a worldwide
movement that works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has more than a million members
and supporters in 162 countries and territories.
--Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture;
194 Jarvis Street, 2nd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2B7, Canada; (416)
363-1066; www.ccvt.org; is a nonprofit
organization founded in 1983 by medical doctors, lawyers, and social service
professionals associated with Amnesty International.
--Center for Victims of Torture;
717 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455; (612) 436-4800;
www.cvt.org; is a private, nonprofit
organization founded in 1985 to provide direct care to survivors of
politically-motivated torture and members of their families. It was the
first organization of its kind in the United States, pioneering a
comprehensive assessment and care program.
--Human Rights Watch; 350 Fifth
Avenue, 34th floor, New York, NY 10118-3299; (212) 290-4700;
www.hrw.org; is an independent,
nongovernmental organization dedicated to protecting the human rights of
people around the world. It seeks to prevent discrimination, to uphold
political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and
to bring offenders to justice.
--Program for Torture Victims;
3655 South Grand Avenue, Suite 290, Los Angeles, CA 90007; (213) 747-4944;
www.irct.org/; was founded in 1980 to
provide medical and psychological treatment for victims of torture and other
human rights abuses.
--Survivors International; 703
Market Street, Suite 301, San Francisco, CA 94103; (415) 546-2080;
www.survivorsintl.org; is a
non-profit organization made up of a multidisciplinary network of
professionals dedicated to the treatment and support of survivors of
torture.
--World Organization for Human Rights USA;
1725 K Street, NW, Suite 610, Washington, DC 20006; (202) 296-5702;
www.humanrightsusa.org; is an
international coalition of groups fighting against torture, summary
executions, forced disappearances, and all other forms of cruel, inhuman,
and degrading treatment in order to preserve human rights.
