EXCERPT FROM HEALING THE HURT: A GUIDE FOR DEVELOPING SERVICES FOR TORTURE SURVIVORS, SOCIAL SERVICES, CHAPTER 4
Torture occurs within a cultural and social context. It breaks the connections between individuals and their social environment. It separates the bonds of community.
Social work interventions, therefore, are directed at individuals, their families and immediate environments, community, social and functional groups, and policies and systems. These are accomplished thorough direct service, resource development, community interventions, education and training, research, and public policy work.
The provision of social services to survivors of torture is administered by workers with a wide variety of educational foundations and life and work experiences in an assortment of settings.
While this chapter is written for professional social workers, the material is appropriate for social service providers regardless of background, training, or specific tasks.
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The following publications are available online. If you would like to order hard copies, please visit our publications page.
Global War and Violence
Curriculum for social work instructors who wish to prepare their students for working with torture survivors and survivors of war trauma.
New Neighbors, Hidden Scars (PDF)
A handbook for working with refugees who may be torture or war trauma survivors. Included is a directory of resource agencies in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
We Will Work Hard: A Guide for Employers of Refugee Newcomers (PDF)
Information to assist employers in understanding the challenges and opportunities facing them as they employ newly arriving refugee populations to Minnesota and elsewhere.
Finding and Keeping a Job
Helpful information and resources for newly arrived refugee and asylum seeking populations in Minnesota. Available in PDF format in 5 languages:
Download a bibliography of social service related resources (PDF)
Download the Provision of Social Services with Survivors (PDF)
Links
Global Social Work Network
http://hometown.aol.com/egeratylsw/globalsw.html
The Global Social Work Network is an internet-based network for social workers who are interested in human rights.
International Association of Schools of Social Work
http://www.iassw-aiets.org/
The International Association of Schools of Social Work is comprised of educational institutions and other organization supporting social work education. It promotes social work education at the international level.
International Consortium for Social Development
http://www.iucisd.org
The International Consortium for Social Development is an organization of practioners, scholars and students in the human services. It serves as a clearinghouse for information on international social development
International Council on Social Welfare
http://www.icsw.org
The International Council on Social Welfare is an organization that promotes the efforts of social work on an international level. It publishes the scholarly journal International Social Work. They conduct research that helps to inform global policy and are involved with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council.
International Federation of Social Workers
http://www.ifsw.org
The International Federation of Social Workers is involved in the promotion of international cooperation among social workers through communication and exchange of ideas. Their organization is comprised of members from 80 countries. Their Web site offers access to various publications including information on social work and human rights.
National Association of Social Workers
http://www.socialworkers.org
The National Association of Social Workers is the largest professional organization of social workers in the world, with over 153,000 members.
Psychosocial.org (Action without Borders)
http://www.psychosocial.org
Psychosocial.org connects people, organizations and resources to help international aid, development and human rights organizations provide psychosocial support to their staff and volunteers.
