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Support for victims of torture
Freedom from Torture greatly appreciates the seasonal donation and support received from Campbell Tickell.
PEOPLE & CULTURE
Noreen McKeever
Senior Philanthropy Officer, Freedom from Torture
Noreen McKeever
Senior Philanthropy Officer, Freedom from Torture
Issue 76 | February 2025
Forty years ago in 1985, inspired members of Amnesty International’s medical group saw the need for an organisation to improve health services for people in the UK who had survived torture.
From there, under the leadership of Helen Bamber, the work of Freedom from Torture began. Initially called the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, but known as Freedom from Torture since 2011, the charity has helped tens of thousands of torture survivors to heal from the damage inflicted on their minds and bodies, and to move away from the pain of the past towards a better future.
Torture is the most terrible abuse of power towards a defenceless person, a violation of their human rights and dignity, by deliberately causing pain, suffering and mental anguish.
While torture has been illegal under international law for decades, the incidence and acceptance of this horrific practice continues today, as authoritarian governments act to suppress popular movements and silence and destroy groups they wish to eliminate.
In countries like the UK, it is estimated that of those fleeing here in search of asylum, one person in three has experienced torture in their home country.
In countries like the UK, it is estimated that of those fleeing here in search of asylum, one person in three has experienced torture in their home country.
People who have survived torture experience on-going trauma for years. Physical pain, problems with sleeping, concentration, memory, and trusting others - their every moment dominated by flashbacks and panic attacks triggered by sights, sounds, or smells.
Holistic support
At Freedom from Torture’s centres in London, Manchester and Glasgow, our highly qualified and dedicated clinicians support men, women and children through a holistic programme of support, enabling them to manage their distressing symptoms and rebuild their lives. Our therapists work with survivors to rebuild their physical and mental health; our lawyers and welfare advisors help with their asylum cases and living conditions; and our doctors record evidence of torture for use in their asylum claims.
Our portfolio of complementary group therapies like gardening, baking, or writing can allow precious friendships to grow and replace the fear and mistrust of others. The empowerment of survivors is fundamental to our organisation and much of our work is co-designed and co-delivered by service users themselves.
“Therapy helped me to have less nightmares, and slowly the nightmares stopped. It was as if I was released from prison again. I could think, I could write... I could enjoy my life.”
Nasrin, survivor, writer and campaigner.
Leading campaign voice
Freedom from Torture has also been a leading voice in campaigns to highlight the horrors of torture and maintain its absolute prohibition in international law, as well as to protect the rights of survivors. This work has seen us take the lead against the government’s now abandoned Rwanda deportation scheme, announced in 2022. Many of our clients told their therapists how terrified they were of being placed on a flight to Rwanda, and it was clear this was causing them enormous distress.
Mobilised by our ‘Stop the Flights’ campaign, thousands of supporters across the country contacted commercial airlines suspected of involvement in the scheme and under the pressure, many ruled themselves out. Because of this campaign, Freedom from Torture was chosen as the Overall Winner at the 2023 Charity Awards, the most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector.
With demand for our services greater than ever before, and rising costs presenting a major financial challenge, we urgently seek new supporters who would like to join us in transforming lives.
Mobilised by our ‘Stop the Flights’ campaign, thousands of supporters across the country contacted commercial airlines suspected of involvement in the scheme and under the pressure, many ruled themselves out. Because of this campaign, Freedom from Torture was chosen as the Overall Winner at the 2023 Charity Awards, the most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector.
With demand for our services greater than ever before, and rising costs presenting a major financial challenge, we urgently seek new supporters who would like to join us in transforming lives.
For more information please visit www.freedomfromtorture.org or email Noreen McKeever
