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2023 Year in Review

It was an incredible year at CVT, with work we are very proud of amid often dangerous and difficult conditions. This is just a small snapshot of what we accomplished this year.

On this page:
New Healing Center in Ethiopia
The “222”
Trauma in Ukraine
Afghan Refugees
Diana’s Story

  • January 2023

    New Healing Center Opens

    CVT opens a healing center for refugees and internally displaced people in Dabat, Ethiopia

    A sign that reads: "The Center For Victims of Torture (CVT) Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Eritrean Refugees Alem Wach Refugee Site Dabat"

  • February 2023

    Emergency Response

    When 222 Nicaraguan torture survivors were stripped of their citizenship and flown to the U.S., CVT was there to meet them.

  • March 2023

    United Nations Study on Global Trade of Torture Tools

    After campaigning by CVT and other human rights organizations, the U.N. special rapporteur on torture announced that she will initiate a new study on the international trade of goods used for torture. Today, many states and companies can trade tools of torture with impunity, and profit from such trade—a status quo that facilitates torture. We need a change.

    A painting showing a prisoners legs and feet in chains.

  • April 2023

    CVT United Soccer Club

    We launched CVT United, a Twin Cities fútbol club (soccer) for individuals impacted by war trauma and conflict. Because playing soccer is proven to help improve symptoms of some mental health issues like depression, stress and social isolation, CVT United provides a safer space for exercise, community building and a healthy outlet for stress relief.

  • June 2023

    First Ever Courageous Voices Virtual Event

    In honor of June 26th, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, CVT launched a new event to help build the work to end torture and award our annual Eclipse award. Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody helped us welcome donors!

  • August 2023

    CVT Assessment Team in Ukraine

    Heading into an active war zone, a team of CVT leaders traveled to Kiev, Ukraine to meet with the Prosecutor General charged with investigating and prosecuting Russian war crimes to develop a specialized training program designed to help prosecutors manage and process the trauma of working to bring torture perpetrators to justice.

    Simon Adam in Ukraine

  • October 2023

    CVT briefs U.N. Human Rights Committee

    Scott Roehm, CVT Washington director, traveled to Geneva to a meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Committee. He spoke about issues raised in reports submitted by CVT and partners on problems with law enforcement, U.S. criminal justice system and detention

Medhanye Alem, our Psychotherapist and Trainer in Ethiopia, shares his story of providing care to clients and community members in the midst of his own trauma and imminent threat.

The “222”

Emergency Response for Torture Survivors

In February, the US State Department made an urgent request to CVT – help more that 200 Nicaraguan political prisoners and torture survivors after they were released from squalid prisons, stripped of their citizenship, and flown to the U.S. Image shows Nicaraguan scholar Felix Madariaga and family outside the Westin Hotel in Herndon, Virginia, on February 9, 2023. Credit: AFP via Getty Images

How CVT Helped

“The 222″ ranged in age from 18 to 80 and were unjustly imprisoned in Nicaragua for being political leaders, journalists, students, and human rights activists.

CVT met their plane and provided immediate psychological first aid and connected them to critically needed resources. Then, as they moved out to their next locations, we began destination case management – following wherever they are on their journey to help.

Trauma and War in Ukraine

In August, a team of CVT leaders traveled to Kiev, Ukraine to meet with the Prosecutor General charged with investigating and prosecuting Russian war crimes. There we learned that the tireless prosecutors working these cases are facing trauma and burnout due to the nature of the work. To keep the wheels of justice moving, the Office of the Prosecutor General has turned to CVT to develop a program to support and train the staff on how to remain resilient and deal with the effects of secondary trauma.

Read “War Crimes, Trauma and Ukraine’s ‘Invisible Frontline’”

Healing Care

In 2023, CVT launched two programs in Minnesota and Georgia to provide mental health and social support to recently arrived refugees from Afghanistan.

Minnesota

Raahat Project

CVT’s Raahat team is made up of caring therapists who understand the challenges that immigrants and refugees, including Afghans in the United States, may face. Our therapists can assist clients in dealing with issues like difficulties with sleeping, fear, everyday stress and more. The clinical team chose the name “Raahat” because it means “comfort” or “ease” in Dari, Farsi and Pashto, the primary languages spoken by the Afghan community we serve in Minnesota. The name Raahat conveys the essence of emotional well-being, tranquility and relief – all essential mental health components.
Learn more about the Raahat Project

Georgia

Arman Project

Adapting to a new society can be challenging. Through our case management services, we work closely with clients to provide essential support in areas such as housing, employment, access to education and social services. By addressing these practical needs, we empower clients to build a foundation for a more secure and self-reliant future. The clinical team chose the name “Arman” because it means “hope” in Dari and Pashto, the two primary languages spoken by the Afghan community we serve in Georgia.
Learn more about the Arman Project
Diana’s Story – a family at Proyecto Mariposa
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We are honored to earn the trust and accountability of these respected independent third-party organizations.
See other initiatives where CVT is leading the charge:
Healtorture.org
For People Who Work With Survivors
Professional Quality of Life
For Service Providers
New Tactics in Human Rights
For Human Rights Defenders
The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID number 36-3383933). © 2025 The Center for Victims of Torture. All rights reserved.

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