The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) exists to heal the wounds of government-sponsored torture on individuals, their families and their communities, and to stop its practice.

As many as 500,000 torture survivors are living in the United States. These individuals were brutalized by repressive regimes abroad because of what they believed, what they said or did, or what they represented. Many survivors, their families, and their communities suffer the lingering, debilitating effects of their horrific traumas in silence.

CVT has pioneered a comprehensive assessment and care program that is unique in this country. In recent years, CVT has expanded its services to include research, training and public policy initiatives in order to develop strategies for abolishing torture worldwide.

In 2004 the Center for Victims of Torture was awarded NGO Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. This designation allows CVT to serve as a technical expert, advisor and consultant to governments and the UN Secretariat.

Find out more about our clients, staff and board of directors.