The Conceptual Framework to Guide the Implementation of Best and Next Practice in Services and Supports for Veterans and their Families (the Conceptual Framework) has been developed as a collaboration between Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health (Phoenix Australia) and Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families (Atlas Institute). We have come together as intermediary organisations in the field of Veteran and military mental health, united by a shared purpose – to serve those who have served – and shared vision – to optimise the wellbeing of current and former Defence members through the best possible system of support and care.
Established in 1986, an independent statutory organization, reporting to the Australian federal parliament. Targeting the promotion and protection of human rights in Australia. No special focus on torture.
The article outlines how increasingly harsh policies within the asylum-seeking process can affect the mental health of the asylum-seekers negatively, especially when it comes to post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety.
The latest issue of the Torture Journal examines sleep deprivation as a method of torture and presents the text of a Protocol on Medico-Legal Documentation of Sleep Deprivation. Finally, this issue also comprises an epidemiological study on knowledge of torture among medical professionals in Tanzania, a case report exemplifying narratives of Tamil survivors of sexual torture in Australia, and a debate on the standing of the Istanbul Protocol in Israel.
For the last few decades, the prevailing approach to sexual violence in international human rights instruments has focused virtually exclusively on the abuse of women and girls. In the meantime, men have been abused and sexually humiliated during situations of armed conflict. Childhood sexual abuse of boys is alarmingly common.
One of the little-asked questions in debates over the death penalty is what happens to the children of the offender. The arrest, sentencing and (potential)execution of a parent affect children greatly, but they receive little consideration and less support.
The development of services to meet the needs of Afghan refugees, most of whom are traumatised by years of war and internecine violence, requires a sophisticated blend of counselling strategies and culturally-informed pragmatism. This article outlines the approach that Mehraby has found most useful in dealing with this extraordinary client population (10 pages).
This report captures the persisting, distressing and daily experiences of inadequate mental health and community care. It details personal stories of people with mental illness, and their families and carers. Such stories are often excluded from other national reports.The report also includes the strong views of doctors, nurses, psychologists and other professionals who provide mental health services in Australia.
Rebuilding Lives focuses on five Fund-supported projects in Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Pakistan and Rwanda, representing the five regions of the world. The projects are described in brief articles supplemented by a series of photographs. These should allow readers to have a greater understanding of the experiences of torture victims and the rehabilitative services provided by the organizations.
The Guidelines have been developed to offer service providers, managers and practitioners with insights, principles and strategies in key facets of assessment and delivery of psychological services in the disaster context. Their aims are to facilitate recovery, ensure ethical practice, and to protect victims and support workers in their respective roles.
The Melaleuca Refugee Centre, Torture and Trauma Survivors Service of the NT provides an environment for the recovery of survivors of torture and trauma, their families and community, through confidential, high quality, holistic services.
The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma is a coalition of agencies that respond to the needs of survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia from overseas. There is an agency in each state and territory of Australia.
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (VFST) was established in 1987 to meet the needs of people in Victoria who were tortured or traumatised in their countries of origin, in other countries, or while fleeing those countries. The Foundation is non-denominational, politically neutral and non-aligned.
War Child is a network of independent organisations working across the world to help children affected by war. War Child UK was founded in February 1993 by Bill Leeson and David Wilson, two film makers, after they had returned from the former Yugoslavia having made a film for the BBC Arena programme about the role of artists in war. We are committed to protecting and supporting children affected by armed conflict. We empower them to claim their rights, develop to their full potential and contribute to a peaceful future for themselves and their communities. Together we help children and young people make their voices heard.
The Programme of Assistance for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (PASTT) provides specialised support services to permanently resettled humanitarian entrants and those on temporary substantive visa products living in the community who are experiencing psychological or psychosocial difficulties associated with surviving torture and trauma before coming to Australia.
Promotes recovery for the 15 million Australians affected by trauma. We do this by working with individuals, organisations and the community to understand, prevent, and recover from the potential adverse effects of trauma. Phoenix Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with an affiliation with the University of Melbourne
ASTSS is an organisation of over 600 health professionals dedicated to the treatment and prevention of trauma It is closely involved with ISTSS, the international body based in the USA. ASTSS has Chapters in each Australian State and in New Zealand.
The VVCS is a free and confidential service provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Despite the name, veterans of any conflict are welcome to attend and you do not need to have a war-related disability or entitlement from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Those who may use the services of the VVCS include Australian veterans of all conflicts and peacekeeping operations, as well as their families.
STTARS is a non-government, non-profit organisation incorporated in South Australia in 1991 which assists people who have experienced torture, war or trauma related to refugee experience.
ASeTTS is a non profit, non government organisation which provides treatment and support to people who have been tortured or traumatized by violent conflicts. Many of our clients are recent arrivals to Australia, although our services are available to all survivors whatever the length of their residence in Australia has been.
QPASTT aims to provide services which address the range of physical, psychological and social needs of refugee survivors of torture and trauma. We offer access to experienced professional staff who are qualified in psychology, social work and other human services disciplines with a flexible client-centered approach. Some staff are bilingual and interpreters are also used.
Refugee children living in Australia have usually survived a multitude of traumatic experiences in their country of origin. Exposed to war, persecution, extreme deprivation and sometimes torture, they are prone to post traumatic stress disorder and physical ailments.
This paper explores and discusses the complex interaction between the psychological and psychosocial sequelae of exposure to highly traumatic situations in the context of organised violence, and the stresses and demands of the exile and re-settlement process of refugees.
The NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors provides a holistic range of professional services to facilitate the healing process for refugees who have been exposed to torture and trauma. The service also provides early health assessment and intervention services to newly arrived people from refugee like backgrounds.