SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of June 26 as a “Day in Support of Victims of Torture,” representatives from the California Consortium of Torture Treatment Centers and survivors of torture joined together at a press conference today to educate state lawmakers about the long-term psychological and physical effects of torture and how treatment centers in California are playing an important role in the recovery process.

Thousands of people flee to California every year to seek asylum from the torture they encounter in their native countries. The specialized services offered by torture treatment centers help survivors of torture to heal, rebuild trust, and reconnect with their communities.

That is why Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has recognized June 26 as a “Day in Support of Victims of Torture” as an occasion to bring public attention to the pain and suffering of torture survivors around the world and their resiliency as they rebuild their lives in California. June 26, 2008, marks the 21st anniversary of June 26, 1987, the day the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment entered force.

“I applaud the Governor for his leadership and encourage members of the Legislature to also recognize this unique population and join our effort to ensure torture survivors have access to the specialized treatment they need to become healthy, productive members of our communities,” said Kathi Anderson, executive director of Survivors of Torture, International.

The California Consortium includes Survivors of Torture, International in San Diego; the Center for Justice and Accountability in San Francisco; the Center for Survivors of Torture at Asian Americans for Community Involvement in San Jose; the Institute for Redress and Recovery in Santa Clara; Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles; Program for Torture Victims in Los Angeles; and Survivors International in San Francisco.

States like Minnesota and New York have already taken the lead in creating health care programs that provide assistance to survivors of torture. California has been slower to recognize and respond to the needs of survivors.

Despite their successes, many treatment centers struggle to meet the needs of torture survivors who have come from more than 100 different countries, speak dozens of different languages, and have complex health and mental health needs.

Survivors from Bosnia and El Salvador were on hand to give personal accounts of the atrocities that they suffered and had to overcome.

“We needed a place where we would feel protected and safe. Once in the United States, we relied almost exclusively on our local treatment center in San Jose to help us get back on our feet,” said M.E., survivor from Bosnia.

California is home to the largest number of refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in the United States, many of whom had to flee their homelands from unspeakable cruelty. Some were students, professors, or other professionals who excelled in fields such as medicine, government, business, agriculture and community leadership, yet were targeted for persecution by their governments for what they thought, said, or did.

Others were tortured as a way of punishing family members accused of opposition to political activities. Some were members of persecuted religious, ethnic, national, or social groups. Others were in the wrong place at the wrong time, tortured as part of a government's campaign to terrorize and intimidate populations.

June 26 reminds us that torture is a crime and provides an opportunity for all to stand united in support of the strong individuals who have survived.

Survivors of Torture International (SURVIVORS) was founded in 1997 as an independent, non-profit organization to serve survivors of torture. Since its inception, SURVIVORS has helped more than 750 victims of torture from more than 60 countries heal, rebuild trust in others, restore self-esteem and reconnect with families, friends and communities. The organization assists patients in recovering from their traumas through a holistic program that includes medical, dental, psychiatric, psychological, legal and social services.

The California Consortium of Torture Treatment Centers was founded in November 2001 to share information and best practices regarding the treatment of torture survivors residing in the State of California. It is the goal of the consortium and its team of professionals to provide services for survivors to become more functional and self-sufficient through well-supported treatment programs.

The 2008 advocacy day activities were funded by The California Endowment, a private, state-wide health foundation with a mission to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.

SAN DIEGO, Calif.— Carlos Mauricio has an energetic, sparking personality. He loves to salsa dance, travels often, and teaches high school students in San Francisco.

But he still has memories of being abducted in El Salvador 24 years ago. In June of 1983, he was working as a professor at the University of El Salvador when he was abducted and taken to the national police headquarters. There, Carlos was detained and tortured for nearly two weeks. He suffered injuries to his ribs, eyes and mouth. He suspects that his torturers chose him because he had been outspoken against the government of El Salvador.

Upon his release, Carlos fled El Salvador for the United States. He went to graduate school, earned his teaching credential, and began teaching high school in San Francisco. In 2002, Carlos testified about his repeated torture in a U.S. federal court in Florida. In this landmark case, the jury found two retired Salvadoran generals responsible for torture, rape and other atrocities. Carlos is now dedicated to helping other survivors begin to tell their stories.

“Torture is so horrible and so humiliating that in many cases people try to dismiss or avoid believing in what happened to us,” he said. “Telling my story is important because I believe that it is the only way to leave prison.”

Carlos will be the featured speaker at SURVIVORS’ Celebration of Hope & Healing on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

The expressive arts group Owl & Panther will join Carlos for the event. Based in Tucson, AZ, the Owl & Panther project offers creative writing, counseling, and community service programs to help youth whose families have been affected by trauma and torture. At our event on Feb. 24, youth from Mali, Uganda, and El Salvador will be reading their creative writing aloud.

Held at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, the event will conclude with a reception featuring local musicians, fine wine, and gourmet chocolate desserts from local restaurant sponsors. A wine consultant will host complimentary wine tastings during the reception.

Tickets are $50 and may be purchased online at www.notorture.org or by calling (619) 278-2400. All money from tickets will go toward programs that help survivors of politically motivated torture to heal and become healthy members of our communities and our world. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Carlos Mauricio and Owl & Panther’s leader Marge Pellegrino are both available for interviews.

Where were the prison doctors and other healthcare professionals when the torture occurred at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay?

Who determined how much and what kind of mistreatment could occur during the interrogation of detainees?

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Dr. Steven Miles, author of Oath Betrayed: Torture, Medical Complicity and the War on Terror, will speak at the University of San Diego on April 21. Dr. Miles will explore the neglect, mistreatment, and torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo Bay, and elsewhere, asking: “Where were the prison doctors while the abuses were taking place?”

The event marks the 10th anniversary of Survivors of Torture, International, a nonprofit healing resource for torture survivors and their families in San Diego County. The talk will be followed by a short discussion, book signing and a reception featuring gourmet chocolate, wine and coffee. At the reception, guests will be entertained by the sounds of DORNOB, a collective of musicians who have been playing Persian music in San Diego since 1985.

The full 100% of the money from ticket sales will go directly toward programs that help survivors of politically-motivated torture to become healthy members of our community and our world.

WHAT: “Oath Betrayed” with Dr. Steven Miles

WHO: Survivors of Torture, International (SURVIVORS) and the University of Minnesota

WHERE: University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice

5998 Alcala Park

San Diego, CA 92110

WHEN:  Saturday, April 21, 2007, at 6:30 p.m.

TICKETS:          $50; available at HYPERLINK "http://www.notorture.org" www.notorture.org or by calling (619) 278-2400

Confirmed Sponsors

The event sponsor is The California Endowment. Desserts will be provided by Claim Jumpers – La Mesa, The French Gourmet – Pacific Beach, San Diego Culinary Institute – San Diego, Sweet Factory – San Diego, Sweet Nicole’s – El Cajon, and Trader Joe’s – Hillcrest. Beverages will be provided by Beam Wine Estate, Got Great Wine – Carlsbad, Ralph’s – Hillcrest, Kearny Mesa, Mission Valley, Southern Wine & Spirits, and Starbucks Coffee – Sports Arena. Door Prizes will be provided by Great News Culinary School – Pacific Beach, and King Leo’s Candies – Alpine.

Communications and advocacy activities to build knowledge that “Survivors Live Here”

SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Torture treatment centers across the state are joining to raise awareness about torture survivors living in California. The campaign starts today and will culminate on June 26, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

The U.S. government estimates that 500,000 torture survivors live in the United States. University of the Pacific’s School of International Studies in Stockton, Calif. is in the process of developing baseline population data for torture survivors in California. The research will be conducted under the supervision of Professor Jean-Marie Stratigos, a former United Nations humanitarian affairs officer.

“Survivors are a hidden population in our state and many obstacles prevent them from receiving adequate healthcare,” said Kathi Anderson, executive director of Survivors of Torture, International. “We hope that this campaign will build knowledge among both medical professionals and the general public.”

This research project and the awareness campaign have been funded through a two-year grant of $326,628 from The California Endowment, a private health foundation that aims to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities.

“Little is known about these individuals who have, in many instances, suffered greatly in their countries of origin,” said Robert K. Ross, M.D., president and CEO of The California Endowment. “Through this effort we will be able to capture the specific numbers, location and demographics of this hidden population so we can educate policy makers about effective solutions to address their unique mental health and health care needs and where best to target resources for the greatest impact.”

In addition to its “Survivors Live Here” message, the campaign will circulate the information that:

• Although they feel isolated by their pain and trauma, survivors are brave and resilient individuals. Torture survivors are talented, trained and productive people who have resources and experiences to offer our communities.
• Survivors come to California as refugees, asylum-seekers and immigrants. Politically-motivated torture is practiced in more than 100 countries.
• Often, individuals were tortured because of their identity (ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, etc.) or because they promoted equal rights, labor rights and other causes.
• Survivors may be left with lifelong physical and mental health problems if not treated by trained professionals.
• Treatment helps survivors heal from their trauma, rebuild trust in others, and reconnect to their families and communities, restoring self-esteem, dignity and hope. As individuals heal, they are able to go back to school and find jobs.

This is the first awareness campaign and research study of this magnitude in the United States. June 26, 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of June 26, 1987, the day the UN first convened the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The California Consortium includes Survivors of Torture, International in San Diego; Program for Torture Victims in Los Angeles; Survivors International in San Francisco; and the Center for Survivors of Torture at Asian Americans for Community Involvement in San Jose. To conduct the campaign, the consortium has selected The Border Agency, a community marketing agency in San Diego and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a law and consulting firm providing pro bono services from its Sacramento office.

For campaign materials go to www.notorture.org or to speak to a representative from one of the centers, please call (619) 278-2422.