Welcome
Welcome to the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for
the Victims of Torture. We are very pleased that you have visited our website.
We want you to know that you are in a safe and supportive place, where you will
receive comprehensive care and specialized services to help you overcome the
harsh effects of torture. We understand the suffering you have been through and
strive to provide healing, recovery, and hope for everyone who comes to us. So
welcome to our center.
CEO's Message
Ac
As we begin the year 2024, I would like to
express our deep gratitude to all individuals and organizations who have
contributed over the years to the success and development of the Torture
Victims Treatment and Rehabilitation Center. The idea for the center was first
conceived in the mid-1980s, specifically in 1983, by the initiative of the
center's president and founder, Dr. Mahmoud Sehwail, in response to the urgent
cases and the absence of service providers at that time to examine and treat
Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. These visits were purely voluntary and
continued until 1997, when the center was established as a culmination of
accumulated experience in dealing with the issues and needs of victims of
traumatic events and their families who share their suffering. The center
launched by providing services to a large segment of beneficiaries in keeping
up with developments and changes in Palestinian society, where the center is
the only one of its kind in the West Bank in terms of its areas of work and
services provided.
In this context, We would like to express our deep appreciation and
respect for the survivors themselves, who inspire us daily with their courage
and resilience. We also appreciate the dedicated efforts of our staff. We also
thank the volunteers, board members, and esteemed donors who generously
contribute their time, resources, and expertise to our cause. We would also
like to express our gratitude to our partners in non-governmental organizations
and institutions for their continuous support and cooperation, which has
enabled us to enhance our ability to provide comprehensive care and work
towards preventing torture and promoting human rights.
About TRC
The Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC) is a Palestinian non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to human rights and mental health services. As an independent and impartial entity, TRC advocates for the rights of victims of torture, organized violence, and gender-based violence across the West Bank.
TRC is a registered NGO with the Palestinian Ministry of Interior (license number RA-235/SC) and the Ministry of Health (License R/6/212). It is also a member of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), the world’s largest civil society organization focused on the field of torture rehabilitation. Notably, TRC is the only Palestinian NGO authorized to provide psychotherapy services within correctional and rehabilitation facilities in Palestine.
Specializing in psychosocial services, TRC offers individual, group, and family therapy for survivors of torture. Since its establishment, the Center has progressively expanded its range of services. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Mahmud Sehwail, a Palestinian psychiatrist and human rights advocate, the Center initially operated on a voluntary basis until its formal institutionalization in 1999. TRC is governed by a Board of Directors and advised by an International Advisory Board. Its daily operations are managed by the Executive Director, Dr. Khader Rasras, a Senior Clinical Psychologist.
TRC’s intervention strategy is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3.4, which focuses on promoting mental health. The Center is also guided by international conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination, striving to ensure that all children are protected from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect, and harmful practices.
TRC Mandate, Core Value, Strategic Goals
The mandate of the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC) is to provide comprehensive care, support, and rehabilitation to survivors of torture, implementing holistic, non-harmful interventions. TRC operates under the following core principles:
1. Healing and Rehabilitation: TRC is committed to promoting the psychological and social recovery of torture survivors. Through a multidisciplinary approach—encompassing medical, psychological, and social services—the center addresses the complex needs of survivors to support their well-being and recovery.
2. Empowerment and Dignity: TRC upholds the dignity and worth of every survivor. The center fosters an environment of respect, recognizing survivors' rights, autonomy, and choices, and works to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and support needed for recovery.
3. Justice and Human Rights: TRC places justice and human rights at the core of its mission. The center advocates for the prevention of torture, accountability for perpetrators, and justice for survivors. It also raises awareness on the impact of torture and the importance of safeguarding human rights at local and global levels.
4. Collaboration and Partnerships: TRC values collaboration and partnerships as essential to achieving its mandate. The center actively engages with governmental and non-governmental organizations, human rights bodies, healthcare providers, legal experts, and other stakeholders to enhance capacity, broaden reach, and coordinate efforts for addressing the needs of survivors.
5. Research and Advocacy: TRC plays a key role in research, knowledge sharing, and advocacy related to torture prevention and survivor rehabilitation. By promoting policy reforms, the center seeks to influence systemic changes and ensure that survivors’ rights and well-being are protected.
TRC’s mandate covers the provision of holistic care and rehabilitation, empowerment of survivors, advocacy for justice and human rights, fostering of collaborative efforts, and engagement in research and advocacy, in line with international conventions such as the Convention against Torture, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Additionally, TRC supports the reintegration of survivors into Palestinian society by providing them with the tools to recognize and manage psychological symptoms. Specialized psychological support services—including debriefing, psychodrama, art therapy, and eye movement therapy—help strengthen coping mechanisms. TRC also emphasizes raising awareness on positive parenting, psychological first aid, crisis intervention, trauma symptom identification, and stress management, particularly for women and children.
Strategic Goals:
1. Provide Psychological and Social Services: Deliver comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation for victims of torture and organized violence, as well as their families, especially when their rights are denied.
2. Advocate for Victims: Advocate for victims and other affected individuals, create platforms for their voices, and pressure responsible parties to acknowledge and bear the consequences of their actions.
3. Promote a Culture of Human Rights: Foster a societal culture grounded in respect for international human rights, humanitarian principles, and international law, including the prohibition of torture.
4. Capacity Building: Share expertise and knowledge through training to enhance the capacity of institutions and professionals working in human rights, mental health, and the prevention of torture.
5. Ensure Service Continuity: Maintain consistent service delivery for victims by developing an effective administrative structure and strategic planning that ensures sustainability of operations.
Through these efforts, TRC ensures that survivors of torture have access to a comprehensive range of interventions that support their full recovery and reintegration into society.
