Assessing rehabilitation of torture survivors through a gendered lens: a review of empirical and expert perspectives

Includes bibliographical references.Torture is a distinctly horrific human rights violation, which leaves survivors with an acute need for rehabilitation as a form of reparation. However, the state of knowledge around torture rehabilitation suffers from a knowledge gap around how gender influences the impact of torture and rehabilitation outcomes, particularly in developing countries. A gendered understanding of the torture experience can contribute towards the design and implementation of more relevant and effective rehabilitation policies and programs that are better equipped to respond to victims’ needs. Thus, the fundamental question that this dissertation asks is: within rehabilitation programs, should male and female torture survivors be treated differently? In investigating this question, this dissertation will provide an overview of the available literature on torture and torture rehabilitation in order to frame how key gender issues and debates have been understood to date. It will then present and analyze qualitative data around gender and torture impact and rehabilitation gathered from a study conducted by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR). This data was gathered through the use of the Delphi technique: a series of questionnaires were administered via email to a panel of 18 experts in the torture rehabilitation field from around the world, to assist in building consensus on both the impact of torture and the most adequate intervention optionsin developing countries. Each questionnaire included a separate gender section, where panellists were provided with primarily open-ended questions that yielded qualitative results. This data will be discussed in relation to the literature in order to present any new insights raised by consulting this source of expertise which is under represented in the literature base, as well as to highlight areas where more research is needed. There was consensus among the panel of experts that there are gender hypotheses that can inform rehabilitation practice, but many panelists were hesitant to agree that there are systematic differences that would demand different interventions between genders and rather stressed that individual assessment is important in each case, as gender-related aspects will be influenced by contextual, interpersonal, and individual factors. The data highlights a number of factors to consider when working with male and female torture survivors. In relation to male survivors, torture, and men’s inability to fulfill gender roles subsequently, may impact on their sense of self or manhood, which can lead to a range of negative coping behaviors. Males may also present with less obvious ways of expressing emotions and distress, or may be less likely to seek help in the aftermath of torture. This was raised particularly in relation to sexual torture victimization. The lack of literature available on male sexual torture is particularly concerning and this is a clear area where more research is needed. In relation to female victims of torture, a central factor to consider is the experience of sexual violence as part of torture and its consequences, especially the severe stigma that victims face. Female victims are often forced to develop new skills and take on new roles in the aftermath of torture, which provides both challenges and opportunities for their rehabilitation. Additionally, their ability to recover from torture is influenced by the challenges of caring for their children, and women are often likely to place the needs of their families before their own, which was not always seen as negative. It is hoped that this report will assist practitioners in the field of torture prevention and rehabilitation by illuminating the ways in which gender and torture interact, as a gendered understanding of the torture experience could enhance the treatment offered