Five Ways Interning at SURVIVORS Changed Me

SOTIAdmin Advocacy, Internship, Volunteering

These past months with SURVIVORS has been an invaluable experience enriched by new lessons learnt, new skills and a better understanding of who I am and who I want to become. As the Community Relations intern, I assisted with the advocacy and outreach programs of the organization.  I also acted as the volunteer coordinator for the Annual Helping Survivors Heal …

June is Torture Awareness Month

SOTIAdmin Advocacy

By Katherina Todisco & Niki Kalmus June marks the beginning of summer, longer days, and warmer weather, but is also one of our favorite months at Survivors of Torture, International – Torture Awareness Month. On June 26, 1987 the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) entered into force*. June 26 has been chosen …

The American Psychiatric Association to Present its 2017 Human Rights Award to the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs

SOTIAdmin Advocacy, News

The American Psychiatric Association has selected the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs (NCTTP) as the recipient of the 2017 Human Rights Award. SURVIVORS’ executive director, Kathi Anderson, and NCTTP president, Lin Piwowarczyk, MD, MPH, will accept this award for the NCTTP at the APA’s annual meeting in May, to be held this year in San Diego. “The APA Human …

How San Diego’s Torture Survivors are Affected by the Executive Orders

SOTIAdmin Advocacy, Healing, News

Dear friends, donors, and advocates,   Over the past week, our clients have expressed feelings of more uncertainty and insecurity. Clients who have not sought emotional support in years are requesting mental health services. Parents tell us that their children are scared and some are even being bullied in school. Families fear they will not be reunited with loved ones …

Reflections from a Former Intern

SOTIAdmin Advocacy, Volunteering

by Andrew Worth, ISCOR intern 2014 Before I began my first internship with Survivors of Torture, International I did not fully understand just how many survivors of torture resided in the San Diego region. During the time of my internship I was a student of the International Security and Conflict Resolution program at San Diego State University, and like most …

Torture Awareness Month

SOTIAdmin Advocacy

June is Torture Awareness Month and June 26 is the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. In June, we recognize that torture is one of the most profound human rights abuses, and it affects millions of individuals and their families around the world. This trauma reaches far beyond the direct victims and in some instances, where torture …

The Ticking Bomb Scenario

SOTIAdmin Advocacy

Guest article by:Taylor Zerby, ISCOR Community Relations Intern Many deceiving and unfounded misconceptions regarding torture pervade our everyday lives. In fact, one need not look much farther than their favorite television series to see the pervasive nature of torture in our culture. Television series such as 24 and State of Affairs, often dramatize the ticking bomb hypothetical scenario in which …

Requesting a safe and reliable mechanism for vulnerable religious minorities to escape harm’s way.

SOTIAdmin Advocacy

We thank Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA 52nd District) for recently sending a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Committee Chair Rogers; Ranking Member Lowey; and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairwoman Granger to support re-authorization of the “Lautenberg Amendment,” which has served as a lifeline for over two decades to Christian, Jewish, and other designated religious minorities escaping …

Contact Your Senators Now

SOTIAdmin Advocacy

  The U.S. Senate plans to vote this Wednesday, January 20th on H.R. 4038, “The American Security against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act,” a bill that would impede the most vulnerable refugees in finding a safe haven and a place to restart their new lives. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives in November, so it is critical that …