Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation

The provisions of medical and psychological treatment are the first steps towards the recovery of survivors of torture. The initial steps undertaken when a person(s) reports torture are as follow; firstly an assessment is undertaken by the social worker to determine whether the case falls within SOAT's criteria and mandate. A second assessment is then undertaken by the psychiatrist, and where there is an injury or physical medical concern, the client is referred to a doctor from SOAT's doctor's network. According to the assessments, ongoing treatment would continue until the recovery of the client. In some cases where adequate treatment is not available in Sudan, SOAT makes arrangements for clients to receive treatment in other parts of the world. In such cases, this has to be approved by the Board of Trustees (BoT).

Prior and during the period of treatment, SOAT provides essential assistance to the client and their family to support them through, what can be a difficult and stressful time. Arrangements are made for the client to be taken to where the treatment is scheduled, and when necessary, accommodation is provided for during the treatment period. In addition, when there is need, arrangements are made for a family member or a friend to accompany them to where the treatment is taking place.

Volunteers play an active role in this process and provide important assistance to the clients, such as accompanying them to their treatment location and supporting the client's family. Also, some volunteers are professionals such as psychologists who offer their services in the centre.

When necessary, direct financial assistance is provided for the client and their family to help cover living expenses as to reduce stress over their financial situation during the treatment period.

After the initial treatment is completed, ongoing care and consultation with doctors and, if appropriate, Psychologists are arranged for the client. Arrangements are made with specific pharmacies and a network of doctors for all the necessary medications and treatments. Volunteers are available to collect prescriptions for the clients and to support the client at home in the absence of family or friends support.

Rehabilitation and Training Programme for Sudanese Survivors of Torture

The rehabilitation programme for survivors of torture allows rebuilding relationships, reintegrating into society and re-establishing stable and independent lives. The aim of the programme is to provide the survivor of torture with a sense of purpose and to enable clients to lead a dignified and independent life to combat feelings of isolation and/or hopelessness, often felt by survivors of torture. This includes the following:

• Provisioning of English Language courses and Computer training which enable the survivors to gain the necessary skills required in a competitive job market, and thereby gaining the ability to support themselves, and their families, through their own efforts.

• SOAT believes that it is very important for survivors of torture to be aware of the issues surrounding human rights abuses, and to understand the mechanisms that exist to protect and promote human rights, thus providing human rights education has become essential. Gaining this type of knowledge assists survivors to place their own experience in the context of human rights, and to overcome feelings of helplessness, promoting more positive attitudes by showing ways in which they can become involved in human rights and torture prevention.

• An important element of this programme includes reparation for the survivor of torture. This entails providing legal aid to seek prosecutions and/or issuing an official complaint to the appropriate authorities against perpetrators of torture.