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Healing Voices
Conclusion
Working with torture survivors requires that health and legal professionals assist individuals
from all over the world who arrive in the United States, Canada, or another refugee-receiving
country seeking safety. Many survivors have been leaders in their own countries devoting
their lives to improving the quality of life of their compatriots. Others belonged to the
“wrong” tribe or practiced the “wrong” religion. They may have been persecuted because
they were women, HIV positive, or members of a sexual minority.
The goal of service providers in this field is to create an environment that is both welcoming
and safe so that patients may heal from their difficult life experiences, establish themselves
in their new country, acquire status and be reunited with their families. Interpreters are
integral to the entire process. Without them, there is no effective way to provide the services.
In this process of serving, or interpreting for, survivors, we are all witnesses to their
extraordinary courage and resilience.
One Psychiatrist’s Wish
Question: If you could wave a magic wand, what
would you most wish interpreters in this field to
be able to do?
Psychiatrist who works with torture survivors:
I would advocate for availability. Every client that
needs an interpreter would get one, because that
doesn’t always happen.
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