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Resources

An ongoing exchange of knowledge, practices, ideas and creative strategies supports our work to heal survivors and inspire effective action to end torture worldwide. CVT shares information in many formats in hopes that sharing knowledge will build awareness and support action for healing and justice.

On this page:
Facts About Torture
For Healing Professionals
For Torture Survivors
For Human Rights Defenders
Other Resources

Freedom from torture is a fundamental human right. It’s important to know the facts about torture so we can work to end it forever.

Torture is illegal.
Torture is a crime. It is explicitly banned by the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. And it’s a crime under U.S. law. There are no exceptions.

Two women discuss a document in an office setting.
Resource

For Healing Professionals

Extending rehabilitative care to people who have survived deeply traumatizing experiences is challenging for those in the healing professions.
Graphic art depicting a woman in a hijab holding an baby.

For Torture Survivors

Many people have been hurt by armies, clans, gangs and people from the government. Sometimes these events can cause physical and emotional pain or problems for many years.

Other Resources

Hidden Harm

Many people associate torture with scars. But torturers have perfected ways of inflicting grave pain without ever leaving a mark on the flesh. From a medical and psychological perspective, these abuses constitute torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

Learn More about the Hidden Harm of Torture

Refugee and Asylum Seeker Facts

Over the years, CVT has witnessed extraordinary healing, courage and resilience among clients, as well as confusion and misunderstanding from many in the public about the lives and challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers. Here are eight facts intended to help dispel some of the myths about who refugees and asylum seekers really are.

Read the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Facts

Reports and Research

CVT staff conduct research and assessments and frequently publish reports or articles in peer-reviewed journals with in-depth information about the areas where we work.

Learn More about the Reports and Research creates

Self Care

What’s normal after a dangerous, life-threatening or traumatic experience? What might you feel in the days and weeks after? What can you do for self-care?

View the Self-Care Plan
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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.

This website is supported by Grant Number 2203MNFSC6 from the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Justice Programs.