The need for scientific studies,
research, and documentation is considered a necessary priority that the center
has placed at the forefront of its programs. Its aim is to provide scientific
research information in the fields of mental and social health, human rights,
and to understand and monitor changes related to the Palestinian society in
general, and the beneficiaries of the center's services in particular. This is
in order to tailor programs and services based on the results, and to prepare
recommendations for relevant authorities and decision-makers to address
dilemmas, formulate solutions, and plans based on scientific evidence. In
addition, the center actively participates in scientific lectures, training
courses, and local, regional, and international conferences. These research
studies can be divided into three types:
General (large-scale) quantitative
and qualitative research, which determines the study population of emerging
phenomena in society. Human rights are given high priority in order to demonstrate
the limits of improvement or decline in protecting human rights in the
Palestinian territories and to encourage broad sectors of public opinion to
work for stopping violations and to encourage the international community to
pressure governments to improve human rights.
Experimental and clinical research,
which includes studying a sample of beneficiaries of the center or the targeted
group that receives the center's services in order to determine the
effectiveness of the service provided to them. It also includes monitoring and
studying the impact of programs and services provided to the targeted group of
the Palestinian society, such as summer camps, in order to determine their
impact and identify ways to meet their needs more effectively.
Database
The database for victims of
torture is a vital tool in the center's work, playing a critical role in
organizing, storing, and managing information. The importance of the database
can be seen in several aspects:
Organizing information: The
database helps organize data and classify it in a systematic and organized way.
Relevant data is collected in specific tables and classifications, making it
easier to access and analyze information quickly and efficiently.
Saving time and effort:
Thanks to the database, important and useful information can be easily accessed
in a short time. The database reduces the need for manual search and irregular
browsing of documents and files, saving time and effort for users.
Ensuring confidentiality and
privacy: We maintain a secure and confidential database that contains reliable
source information about survivors and their experiences and progress during
the rehabilitation process. This database helps us track and evaluate the
effectiveness of our interventions, monitor trends, and contribute to
collecting information about torture and its patterns and consequences. We
handle this information with the utmost respect for privacy and confidentiality
in accordance with the principles of the Istanbul Protocol, ensuring that it is
stored securely and only accessed by authorized personnel.
The database enables us to
identify types of shocks, symptoms, intervention methods, number of sessions
for each case, age, gender, disabilities, location, education level, alleged
responsible parties, medical records, and other variables.
The Center for the Treatment
and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture deals with the information contained
in its database according to the standards of the International Rehabilitation
Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), which ensures the confidentiality of
beneficiaries in accordance with the strict guidelines of the World Psychiatric
Association and the International Federation of Psychological Sciences. The
center also takes into account international standards for child protection and
disseminates comprehensive interventions that do not cause harm.
The code of conduct for dealing with victims of torture and
violence is a crucial set of guidelines that should be followed by all
professionals and organizations working with such individuals. The code is
based on international human rights standards and provide clear guidance on the
ethical and legal obligations of those working with victims of torture. It
emphasizes the need for informed consent and respect for the autonomy of the
victim, as well as the importance of providing access to medical and
psychological care. TRC ensures beneficiary confidentiality according to
the strict guidelines of the World Psychiatric Association, and International
Union of Psychological Science, of which TRC is an active member. TRC also
ensures high standards of safeguarding, and implementation of holistic
interventions that incorporate the principle of ‘Do No Harm’.
The code of conduct also addresses the issue of
re-victimization and or
vicarious, which occurs when individuals are subjected to further harm or
discrimination as a result of seeking assistance. Professionals working with
victims of torture should be aware of the risks of re-victimization and should
take steps to prevent it. This includes providing information on the victim's
rights and options, as well as advocating for their protection and access to
justice.
