The primary aim of GCRT is to provide qualified, multidisciplinary services to torture survivors and their family members, to raise public awareness about the issues of torture, to contribute to the prevention of torture, (monitoring human rights violations in prisons) to conduct educational activities concerning torture and inhuman treatment, raise competence of service personnel on how to provide assistance to victims of torture. Also, to train law enforcement personnel dealing with prisoners as well as probation officers.
Among the evidence-based treatment methods that GCRT uses are trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged expositional therapy, brief eclectic psychotherapy and somatic experience therapy. Additionally, cognitive, cognitive-emotional and body-focused psychotherapy methods are used in order to achieve stabilization in cases of complex trauma or trauma-related disorders.
GCRT contributes to the prevention of practice of torture and successful rehabilitation of torture survivors in Georgia, supports international and national initiatives, organizations and agencies directed against inhuman and cruel actions, supports formation of healthy nation and civic society in Georgia. GCRT also contributes to the rise of public awareness on the issues of torture and its consequences, detects and monitors the cases of torture, contributes to reduction of the cases of torture, empowers the protection of the rights of the torture survivors, supports the development of the sphere of psycho traumatology in Georgia.
Although the promises made by the Georgian Republic in the aftermath of the Beijing conference are now starting to be fulfilled at a fast pace, after many years of inaction, much still remains to be done in order to advance womens rights and ensure gender equality in Georgia. Indeed recent measures have been taken with regard to domestic violence and trafficking in persons but they have not been extended to women victims of other types of violence (40 pages, .pdf, for historical reference).
Public survey in Tiblisi, Georgia. Primary purpose of the survey was to explore the issue of torture – its incidence, public awareness of, attitudes to, and opinions regarding the surrounding topics and actors.
The primary objectives of EMPATHY are the identification of torture victims; treatment and medical/psychosocial rehabilitation of torture victims; prevention of torture and persecution of torturers; research and training; consultations and education; information and mass media activities; investigating allegations of torture, providing independent expertise and monitoring prisons/detention facilities; and networking and facilitating activities with governmental, non-governmental, international and local institutions working in the field of human rights and rehabilitation.
Many conflict-affected persons in Georgia are still suffering mental health problems years after the conflicts. A number of specific coping strategies appear to be associated with better mental health and should be encouraged and supported where possible.
The Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT) started functioning in October of 2000. It is non-profit, non-governmental organization, it offers multidisciplinary, professional mental and medical health services, also legal counselling to torture survivors in Georgia.