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The Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture The Past, Present and Future Dr. Eileen Keane. S PIRASI : Beginning. Response: SPIRASI Established in 1999, with a constitution, under the trusteeship of the Holy Ghost Fathers, governed by a Board of Directors.
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The Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture The Past, Present and Future Dr. Eileen Keane
SPIRASI:Beginning Response: SPIRASI Established in 1999, with a constitution, under the trusteeship of the Holy Ghost Fathers, governed by a Board of Directors
The Center for the Care of Survivors of Torture (CCST) The reason for the existence of the Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture is to provide care and assistance for survivors of torture, promoting their physical, mental and social well-being and integration into Ireland
Who Accesses Services? • 3866 people sought asylum in Ireland in 2008 • 8.2% accessed CCST • International estimates: 10-35% asylum seekers have experienced torture • 892 service users in 2008 • 316 new and 539 ongoing • From 56 countries • Speaking 40 languages
Holistic Care Legal NGO’s Health Care Ruhama Rape Crisis Network Local Support Groups Integrating Ireland Refugee Information Service Refugee Council Immigrant council Hospital services, Psychological Care, Mental Health Care Community Services GP’s & AMO’s Public Health/ Community Nurses Social & Family Services SPIRASI Centre for Health Information & Promotion Center for Education & Integration of Migrants Reception Staff Strategy & Development Unit Head Gardener
United Nations Convention Against Torture (1984) “Torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him information or a confession, punishing him or intimidating him or coercing him….by or at the instigation of or with consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity”
Medical Assessments Medico-legal Reports 1-1 Psychotherapy Art Psychotherapy Group Support: Psychotherapy Group Stress Management Group Support Group Resourcing Group Music Therapy Complementary Therapies: Reflexology Traditional Chinese Therapy Capacitar; inter-cultural wellness programme Physiotherapy Psychosocial Support Outreach Support Integration Support Interpreting Public Awareness Professional Training CCST Services
Psychological & Physical After-effects • Physical scars • PTS • Depression • Flashbacks • Poor appetite • Irregular sleep pattern • Does not know the whereabouts of her family.
Challenges • Current position • 50% reduction in funding in 2008 and 4% reduction in clients attending • Restrictions this enforces • Activity • 39% decrease in therapy hours • 130% increase in voluntary hours • Waiting list: 88 clients at end 2008 A need for three fold increase in therapy hours Deteriorating mental health for potential services users
For An Exile “Now is the time to hold faithful To your dream, to understand That this is an interim time, Full of awkward disconnection” -John O’Donoghue2007-