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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Abigail Alexander, MA, MPH, Stacie Blake, MPA, and Michael Bernstein, LCSW. Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services Inc., 155 S Miami Ave, Suite 320, Miami, FL 33130, 305-349-1323, alexander@gcjfs.org

Perpetrators of torture target individuals in their communities as a method to breakdown relationships, formal and information networks, and to manipulate behaviors. As a result, individuals' trust in official systems and those who represent the community resources is severely eroded. The Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, a program of Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services Inc., funded by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and United Nations Victims of Torture Fund, serves survivors of political and state-sponsored torture in Tampa Bay and Miami areas. FCST serves survivors in the communities in which they live by linking them to service providers trained to work with survivors, representing medical, mental health, legal, and educational services among others. The United Nations defines torture as intentionally inflicted severe pain or suffering, physical or mental, designed to solicit information/confession, punishment, intimidation or coercion, or for any reason based on discrimination by or with the consent of a public official or person acting in an official capacity. Perpetrators are often individuals who are familiar in the community, who may hold official positions such as a government official, police officer, soldier and even physician. This community-based programming ultimately engages survivors with their community resources, and provides education to access those services independent of the program's assistance. Research results from a Best Practices documentation project utilizing case studies and provider focus groups will be presented to describe the community-based approach and efforts to rebuild trust among torture survivors resettled in the United States in community networks and services.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Participants will be able to discuss current issues in the torture treatment movement in the United States.
• 2. Participants will be able to identify aspects of a Best Practice model in the torture treatment movement from the client and provider perspectives.
• 3. Participants will discuss community-based programming and methods to build local social service and public health commitment to refugees and asylum seekers.

Keywords: Evaluation, Community Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered