The first international seminar on physiotherapy for survivors of torture: A global response

People who have survived torture often have strong personalities and can respond well to properly conducted rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT) in Copenhagen brought together 19 physiotherapists from all over the world to participate in a five day residential seminar on physiotherapy for survivors of torture. The seminar provided the setting for cross-cultural networking and encouraged the participants to exchange experiences, views and ideas from different cultural and political backgrounds. This paper outlines some main points from the seminar. Survivors of torture are found in all corners of the world. Torture affects all of the body's systems. Physiotherapy plays a unique role in the rehabilitation process. The international community of physiotherapists can respond to the needs of torture survivors with further education, research and application of their healing skills