CVT has helped torture survivors from more than 60 countries heal and rebuild their lives.
These survivors are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. In their home countries they were leaders in their communities and beloved family members.
With help, they will not only survive, they will flourish.
Here are some basic facts about CVT clients:
In 2008, CVT provided care for 243 clients in the United States, including 55 new clients. The average length of treatment is 18 months.
20% of new clients are refugees. 58% of new clients are seeking asylum
The majority (85%) of new clients are from Africa.
Clients are educated with 58% having completed high school and nearly half pursuing college, vocational or professional training. In their home countries, many CVT clients were students, technicians or service professionals.
In 2008, new clients range in age from 16 to over 60. Gender distribution is 54.5% male and 45.5% female.
Most new clients have children (76%). But 81% of those with children are separated from at least one child and 73% of those who are married are separated from their spouse.
Of CVT's 55 new clients in 2008, almost all (43) experienced beatings, 23 experienced psychological torture and 15 reported sexual torture.
New clients in 2008 had, on average, two other family members killed or missing, and two family members imprisoned and tortured. The average length of longest detention and torture for new clients was 293 days. The average age when first subjected to torture was 30.
Healing is possible. In 2008, CVT found that 86% of total clients experienced at least a 25% decrease in posttrauma symptoms after three months of care.
