Frequently Asked Questions

Torture is a deliberate and systematic dismantling of a person’s identity and humanity through physical or psychological pain and suffering. Torture’s purpose is to destroy a sense of community, eliminate leaders, create a climate of fear and produce a culture of apathy. Here are some frequently asked questions about Torture.

What is torture?

Torture is a deliberate and systematic dismantling of a person’s identity and humanity through physical or psychological pain and suffering. Torture’s purpose is to destroy a sense of community, eliminate leaders, create a climate of fear and produce a culture of apathy.


In the United States, the definition of torture is given in the Torture Victims Relief Act (TVRA), section 2340(1) of title 18, United States Code:


  • “torture” means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control;
  • “severe mental pain or suffering” means the prolonged mental harm caused by or resulting from −
    • the intentional infliction or threatened infliction of severe physical pain or suffering;
    • the administration or application, or threatened administration or application, of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or the personality;
    • the threat of imminent death; or
    • the threat that another person will imminently be subjected to death, severe physical pain or suffering, or the administration or application of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or personality

As used in the TVRA, this definition also includes the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence by a person acting under the color of law, upon another person under his custody or physical control.


The United Nations definition of torture is contained in the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.


Torture is not an effective means of interrogation and does not yield useful or truthful information. It is, however, a highly effective means of controlling populations. Torture and war trauma also affect five basic human needs: the need to feel safe, the need to trust, the need to feel of value (self worth), the need to feel to close to others, and the need to feel some control over one’s life.


The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy has a very interesting four-part philosophical essay on torture. From a philosophical perspective, it addresses the following questions: what is torture? what is wrong with torture? is torture ever morally justifiable? should torture ever be legalised or otherwise institutionalised? This essay does not necessarily reflect the views of HealTorture.org, CVT, or the Office of Refugee Resettlement, but it is an interesting read – worth reading all the way through.

Who is considered a torture survivor?

According to Title 18 of the U.S. legal code:


  • “torture” means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control;
  • “severe mental pain or suffering” means the prolonged mental harm caused by or resulting from —
    • the intentional infliction or threatened infliction of severe physical pain or suffering;
    • the administration or application, or threatened administration or application, of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or the personality;
    • the threat of imminent death; or
    • the threat that another person will imminently be subjected to death, severe physical pain or suffering, or the administration or application of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or personality;

    For the purposes of Center for Victims of Torture and many other treatment centers, a torture survivor is anyone who falls under these criteria.

How many torture survivors are there?

Torture survivors often remain silent about their experiences due to a variety of reasons including fear of continued persecution and feelings of shame and isolation. Because of this, it is difficult to procure an accurate statistic about torture. However, it has been estimated by the U.S. govermnent’s Office of Refugee Resettlement and Amnesty International that over 500,000 torture survivors live in the United States alone.

What types of services do torture survivors need?

To heal from the wounds of torture and trauma, survivors often need medical assistance and psychological services. Since many torture survivors have resettled in new and foreign communities, they need social services to help them adjust to a new environment. Additionally, they often need legal assistance in the United States. Healing centers can help provide these services to help survivors move on from their experiences to lead happy and productive lives.

What human rights agencies work to end torture?

In addition to programs that work directly with survivors of torture, many human rights organizations are active in the fight to end torture. A list of such organizations is here.

What is the difference between a refugee and an asylee?

A refugee is a person who has left his or her country because of a well-founded fear of persecution or death based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.  An individual gains the legal status of “refugee” outside the United States, usually in camps that are set up in countries neighboring the country of turmoil.  Refugees are admitted into the country by the U.S. government and may apply for legal permanent resident status one year after being admitted as a refugee.


Asylees also flee persecution, but people in this category head for the United States without having gone through the refugee resettlement process. These individuals hope to be granted asylum from persecution from within the United States. The legal process for gaining asylum can be complicated and drawn-out.  They can apply to work while in the process of becoming an asylee.  Once they have been granted asylum they can petition to bring family members to the U.S.  After one year, asylees may apply to become legal permanent residents.

How do I assist someone I suspect or know to be a torture survivor?

One way you can help is to refer them to a torture treatment center near them.

You can also educate yourself and others about how traumatic experiences and their impact are a nearly universal experience and how broad the impact can be on mind, body, spirit, and relationships. This archived webinar from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services gives information about the power of a personal story in the recovery from trauma, the value of the “person as teacher,” and the value of being an active listener. “Relationships, especially peer support, can be a source of strength and transformation after trauma. Learn how to build peer relationships based on mutual needs. Gain strategies and techniques for listening in a way that is supportive and compassionate, but also allows listeners to cope with the emotional responses that may be triggered by painful stories.”

What else can I do to help?

By educating yourself about torture survivors, you are already helping to spread awareness about this issue. Since most healing centers are non-profits, donations help them to expand their services and better assist more survivors. You can also help by advocating against torture both in the U.S. and abroad by contacting your elected representatives and voicing your concern. One of the most important things you can do to help is to be aware of current events and the needs of torture survivors in your community. Follow HealTorture on Facebook to stay up-to-date about the needs of survivor and refugee communities.

How do I learn about the Healing Process?

You can learn about the healing process through the resources on this FAQ page. After your initial questions are answered, we recommend reading Healing the Hurt to give you more of a grounding in the basic considerations in working with survivors of torture. You can find out more about how different disciplines contribute to the healing process by exploring the items in the menu bar on this web site.

What if I am a new employee to a program serving torture survivors?

If you are a new employee in a program serving torture survivors, please review the resources under your area of work under Find Resources. Read area and then also read Healing the Hurt. Also take time to review the E-Learning Library and the Series Section on that page, including Fundamentals of Providing Services to Torture Survivors. You must have an account as a Member or eLearner Subscriber and logged into your account to take the lessons, if you do not have an account, please click here to sign up.

What does HealTorture.org offer Service Providers?

HealTorture.org has resources for providers of service to survivors of torture in many fields, including legal, mental health, medical, or social service fields, by clicking through “Find Resources” in the navigation bar. There are also resources for people working in the operation and administration of organizations serving torture survivors. We strive to improve our resources on a regular basis and encourage you to suggest content.

What resources are available to students researching the healing process of torture survivors?

Many of the resources at HealTorture.org will be useful to students.


You may want to start with Survivors of War, Oppression, and Torture: Information for Students. This is a PDF of a special bibliography that was created by volunteers and staff of the Center for Victims of Torture as a resource for high school and college students seeking information on survivors of war-related violence residing in the United States. Each section contains a short definition or relevant quote, followed by a list of resources such as books, websites, videos, and organizations. The activities section contains exercises that can be used in discussion groups to increase awareness of what refugees in the United States may have experienced.


You can review the resources available on the website per your area of interest, by clicking on the Find Resources on the navigation bar and look through the E-Learning Library for other areas of interest. We also recommend reading Healing the Hurt.

What can I learn about by watching webinars or taking online learning lesson modules?

There is an extensive collection of archived webinars and E-Learning lessons available on HealTorture.org, searchable by content area. Webinar are a roughly an hour long presentation by an expert or panel of experts. The presentations represent the wide range of disciplines and approaches that are used in helping torture survivors heal. Our E-Learning lesson modules range in length and include our Fundamentals of Providing Services to Torture Survivors eLearning Series and Planning, Evaluation, Monitoring and Research eLearning Series.

Who is eligible for membership at HealTorture.org?

Apply for membership to get exclusive access to trainings and webinars. Our content will help you better serve your clients. Join today to become part of the Healing Community.


Healtorture.org Member Qualifications

To become eligible for membership of HealTorture.org, you must qualify for one of the following:

  • A clinical or non-clinical staff;
  • A current member of staff working in Survivors of Torture (SOT) programs funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Services for Survivors of Torture Grant Program;
  • A current staff member of SOT program that is a member of the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs (NCTTP); a staff member of ORR.

Note: If eligible for aHealTorture.org membership, you also will have access to the eLearning courses.


eLearning Subscriber Qualifications

To become eligible for membership of HealTorture.org, you must qualify for one of the following:

  • May be clinical or non-clinical staff;
  • Work with survivors of torture as part or all of your client base;
  • A current staff member of a resettlement agency, community-based organization, faith-based organization, healthcare agency, survivor of torture-specific agency.

Benefits of Membership: Get exclusive access to trainings and webinars. Our content will help you better serve your clients. Join today to become part of the Healing Community.


The NCB eLearning Subscription and HealTorture.org Members are sponsored by the National Capacity Building Project and funded by ORR. There is no limit to the number of eligible program staff who may participate.


If you have any questions about membership, please contact us.


Click here to Become a Member.