Center for Victims of Torture
@cvt.org
Center for Victims of Torture (CVT): Healing the wounds of torture globally, strengthening healers & human rights defenders, advocating to end #torture. www.cvt.org
Pinned
Center for Victims of Torture
@cvt.org
· Jan 28
We’ve received stop-work orders from the U.S. requiring us to halt multiple international programs and furlough the majority of our staff. These closures impact safety, health and wellbeing of the people we serve. You can help: www.cvt.org
There is a difference between criminal behavior and civil violations. Someone who overstays the amount of time on a visa is not committing a crime. That is a civil violation. So is parking at a meter beyond the time you paid. It doesn’t make you a criminal.
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
There is a difference between criminal behavior and civil violations. Someone who overstays the amount of time on a visa is not committing a crime. That is a civil violation. So is parking at a meter beyond the time you paid. It doesn’t make you a criminal.
There are legal pathways to becoming a U.S. citizen, and people reside in the country during this time. Here are two:
1. Asylum seekers live in the U.S. legally while their case is pending.
2. Refugees were already vetted overseas and are in a process seeking permanent residency.
1. Asylum seekers live in the U.S. legally while their case is pending.
2. Refugees were already vetted overseas and are in a process seeking permanent residency.
November 7, 2025 at 1:35 PM
There are legal pathways to becoming a U.S. citizen, and people reside in the country during this time. Here are two:
1. Asylum seekers live in the U.S. legally while their case is pending.
2. Refugees were already vetted overseas and are in a process seeking permanent residency.
1. Asylum seekers live in the U.S. legally while their case is pending.
2. Refugees were already vetted overseas and are in a process seeking permanent residency.
How Democracies Revive: Don’t miss this virtual conversation with Juan Méndez, former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture & long-time member of CVT’s National Advisory Council. Hosted by the U of Minn Humphrey School of Public Affairs - Nov. 11, 5:45 pm Central. Register by email: Gomez450@umn.edu.
November 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
How Democracies Revive: Don’t miss this virtual conversation with Juan Méndez, former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture & long-time member of CVT’s National Advisory Council. Hosted by the U of Minn Humphrey School of Public Affairs - Nov. 11, 5:45 pm Central. Register by email: Gomez450@umn.edu.
Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states clearly that everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution and torture. It is legal for people to seek this protection in the United States.
November 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states clearly that everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution and torture. It is legal for people to seek this protection in the United States.
CVT is hiring a full-time Psychologist in Clarkston, Georgia. You'll provide high-quality, trauma-informed, culturally responsive psychotherapy services, including individual, couples, and group therapy. Doctoral degree required. 50% remote. Click: jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/cvt/CA...
October 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
CVT is hiring a full-time Psychologist in Clarkston, Georgia. You'll provide high-quality, trauma-informed, culturally responsive psychotherapy services, including individual, couples, and group therapy. Doctoral degree required. 50% remote. Click: jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/cvt/CA...
Trump's new cap on refugee admissions is making devastating history with an unprecedented low of 7,500 people, prioritizing white Afrikaners for entry. “The United States has stood as a strong light of hope in the past,” said CVT's Alison Beckman. “Today, that light is being extinguished.”
October 31, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Trump's new cap on refugee admissions is making devastating history with an unprecedented low of 7,500 people, prioritizing white Afrikaners for entry. “The United States has stood as a strong light of hope in the past,” said CVT's Alison Beckman. “Today, that light is being extinguished.”
Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture
RCUSA is outraged by the White House’s Presidential Determination on refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2026, which sets the refugee admissions goal at a devastatingly low 7,500 – the lowest ever set in the 45-year history of the USRAP
See RCUSA's full statement here: rcusa.org/news-and-med...
See RCUSA's full statement here: rcusa.org/news-and-med...
October 30, 2025 at 5:44 PM
RCUSA is outraged by the White House’s Presidential Determination on refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2026, which sets the refugee admissions goal at a devastatingly low 7,500 – the lowest ever set in the 45-year history of the USRAP
See RCUSA's full statement here: rcusa.org/news-and-med...
See RCUSA's full statement here: rcusa.org/news-and-med...
Up until 2025, if you were seeking protection in the United States, it took years, even decades. And while this process helped only a tiny percentage of refugees, it was still possible via the Refugee Admissions Program or by applying for asylum at the border.
October 30, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Up until 2025, if you were seeking protection in the United States, it took years, even decades. And while this process helped only a tiny percentage of refugees, it was still possible via the Refugee Admissions Program or by applying for asylum at the border.
NEW: “For a society collectively to make progress towards justice, individual survivors must feel that their own healing and justice needs are being addressed,” said CVT's Dr. Shannon Golden about a new CVT report on justice for survivors in Northern Uganda. Read more:
www.cvt.org/statements/n...
www.cvt.org/statements/n...
October 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
NEW: “For a society collectively to make progress towards justice, individual survivors must feel that their own healing and justice needs are being addressed,” said CVT's Dr. Shannon Golden about a new CVT report on justice for survivors in Northern Uganda. Read more:
www.cvt.org/statements/n...
www.cvt.org/statements/n...
Refugees are in the United States legally after undergoing rigorous vetting processes across many government agencies. In fact, refugees are among the most documented people on earth. However, less than 1% of all refugees are ever resettled to the U.S.
October 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Refugees are in the United States legally after undergoing rigorous vetting processes across many government agencies. In fact, refugees are among the most documented people on earth. However, less than 1% of all refugees are ever resettled to the U.S.
Curt Goering served as CVT exec director from 2012-21, a time of expansion in programming. He comments on the need for CVT’s care, saying “. . . at a time of resurgent denial of torture and its impacts, and increasingly, its justification, the role of CVT has never been more critical or needed.”
October 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Curt Goering served as CVT exec director from 2012-21, a time of expansion in programming. He comments on the need for CVT’s care, saying “. . . at a time of resurgent denial of torture and its impacts, and increasingly, its justification, the role of CVT has never been more critical or needed.”
“CVT friends, supporters and sustainers have been CVT clients’ lifelines,” said Ruth Barrett, former vice president of global operations, in Part 2 of this article commemorating CVT’s 40th anniversary. Click to read more on our past and good wishes for our future.
www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
Four Decades of Healing, Human Rights and Hope: Part 2 of 2
There is much to celebrate as the Center for Victims of Torture recognizes our 40th anniversary. From our humble beginnings in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to clinics in six countries, CVT has brought heal...
www.cvt.org
October 23, 2025 at 8:15 PM
“CVT friends, supporters and sustainers have been CVT clients’ lifelines,” said Ruth Barrett, former vice president of global operations, in Part 2 of this article commemorating CVT’s 40th anniversary. Click to read more on our past and good wishes for our future.
www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
Another incredible morning of healing and hope as CVT celebrates another successful Restoring Hope Breakfast! While we recognize our 40th anniversary, we are grateful to all our supporters – you make a difference for survivors around the world! Thank you so much.
October 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Another incredible morning of healing and hope as CVT celebrates another successful Restoring Hope Breakfast! While we recognize our 40th anniversary, we are grateful to all our supporters – you make a difference for survivors around the world! Thank you so much.
Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture
Those who came to @cvt.org's first clinic in Minnesota 40 years ago included people who had suffered unspeakable horrors and lost everything, often simply because they opposed tyranny and injustice. True then, true now. www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
Four Decades of Healing, Human Rights and Hope: Part 1 of 2
In 2025, the Center for Victims of Torture commemorates 40 years of helping torture survivors rebuild their lives and restore their hope.
www.cvt.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Those who came to @cvt.org's first clinic in Minnesota 40 years ago included people who had suffered unspeakable horrors and lost everything, often simply because they opposed tyranny and injustice. True then, true now. www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture
If you are in Minneapolis this week, as I am, the only place to be on Thursday morning at 8am is @cvt.org’s 40th anniversary “Restoring Hope Breakfast!” Come join the human rights defenders, humanitarian workers and just downright decent folks who support CVT. give.cvt.org/event/2025-r...
October 21, 2025 at 8:47 PM
If you are in Minneapolis this week, as I am, the only place to be on Thursday morning at 8am is @cvt.org’s 40th anniversary “Restoring Hope Breakfast!” Come join the human rights defenders, humanitarian workers and just downright decent folks who support CVT. give.cvt.org/event/2025-r...
“Those who came to our very first clinic in Minnesota 40 years ago included people who had suffered unspeakable horrors and lost everything, often simply because they opposed tyranny and injustice,” said @simonadams.bsky.social, CVT president and CEO. Part 1 of 2:
www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
Four Decades of Healing, Human Rights and Hope: Part 1 of 2
In 2025, the Center for Victims of Torture commemorates 40 years of helping torture survivors rebuild their lives and restore their hope.
www.cvt.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:47 AM
“Those who came to our very first clinic in Minnesota 40 years ago included people who had suffered unspeakable horrors and lost everything, often simply because they opposed tyranny and injustice,” said @simonadams.bsky.social, CVT president and CEO. Part 1 of 2:
www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
www.cvt.org/articles/cvt...
Work in helping professions is stressful but CVT's ProQOL assessment shows how your work is impacting you. Alyce Eaton writes: “Even though the work is rewarding, coping with these emotional challenges and second-hand trauma makes a difficult job harder.”
www.cvt.org/articles/pro...
www.cvt.org/articles/pro...
Professional Quality of Life: CVT’s ProQOL Tools Support Helping Professionals
Millions of people work in professions in which they support people during times of sickness, difficulty and crisis: physicians, social service workers, psychologists, physiotherapists, emergency resp...
www.cvt.org
October 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Work in helping professions is stressful but CVT's ProQOL assessment shows how your work is impacting you. Alyce Eaton writes: “Even though the work is rewarding, coping with these emotional challenges and second-hand trauma makes a difficult job harder.”
www.cvt.org/articles/pro...
www.cvt.org/articles/pro...
“As therapists, we talk about the future with them but we forget about the ambiguity in their futures. I try to keep in mind this question: How can they think of the future when there is no justice?” CVT's Yusra Al-Kailani on the role of justice in therapy.
www.cvt.org/articles/bri...
www.cvt.org/articles/bri...
Bridging Healing and Justice for Survivors
I started my career as a passionate psychosocial counselor, working with children who had been subjected to severe domestic violence.
www.cvt.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:14 PM
“As therapists, we talk about the future with them but we forget about the ambiguity in their futures. I try to keep in mind this question: How can they think of the future when there is no justice?” CVT's Yusra Al-Kailani on the role of justice in therapy.
www.cvt.org/articles/bri...
www.cvt.org/articles/bri...
ICE must stop using The WRAP – a full-body restraint – in deportations. There are humane ways to de-escalate situations, including mental health support. New from Oliver Mercer at @visaverge.bsky.social
www.visaverge.com/news/ices-fu...
www.visaverge.com/news/ices-fu...
ICE's full-body restraints in deportations spark concerns of inhumane treatment
As of October 2025, ICE’s use of full-body restraints, especially The WRAP, is under intense scrutiny. Rights groups, medical experts, and former detainees report the device is being used for hours du...
www.visaverge.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
ICE must stop using The WRAP – a full-body restraint – in deportations. There are humane ways to de-escalate situations, including mental health support. New from Oliver Mercer at @visaverge.bsky.social
www.visaverge.com/news/ices-fu...
www.visaverge.com/news/ices-fu...
A critical component of CVT’s work over four decades has been policy advocacy to support survivors, end torture and hold people accountable. Many key policy moments were influenced by CVT’s advocacy. Check out these key moments of our history.
October 14, 2025 at 11:27 AM
A critical component of CVT’s work over four decades has been policy advocacy to support survivors, end torture and hold people accountable. Many key policy moments were influenced by CVT’s advocacy. Check out these key moments of our history.
“Feeling like they’re being constantly surveilled by our government reminds them of how they were treated back home. That’s why they left.” CVT's Sara Nelson comments on impacts of anti-immigration on clients. By @deannapistono.bsky.social on @minnpost.bsky.social
www.minnpost.com/race-health-...
www.minnpost.com/race-health-...
Q&A: How Center for Victims of Torture suppports immigrants - MinnPost
Programming manager Sara Nelson will speak about immigrant health at Minnesota Doctors for Health Equity’s annual meeting.
www.minnpost.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
“Feeling like they’re being constantly surveilled by our government reminds them of how they were treated back home. That’s why they left.” CVT's Sara Nelson comments on impacts of anti-immigration on clients. By @deannapistono.bsky.social on @minnpost.bsky.social
www.minnpost.com/race-health-...
www.minnpost.com/race-health-...
On World Mental Health Day, a reminder that more than 123 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. These levels, and the trauma they suggest, are truly historic. Mental health care must be part of crisis response. Let’s make mental health and well-being for all a global priority.
October 10, 2025 at 1:21 PM
On World Mental Health Day, a reminder that more than 123 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. These levels, and the trauma they suggest, are truly historic. Mental health care must be part of crisis response. Let’s make mental health and well-being for all a global priority.
Reposted by Center for Victims of Torture
We must end this detestable commerce in human cruelty. @cvt.org is proud to partner with @amnesty.org @omegarf.bsky.social and others in pursuit of a #TortureFreeTradeTreaty
October 9, 2025 at 5:55 PM
We must end this detestable commerce in human cruelty. @cvt.org is proud to partner with @amnesty.org @omegarf.bsky.social and others in pursuit of a #TortureFreeTradeTreaty
How does the U.S. immigration system affect community health and wellbeing? Join CVT's Sara Nelson as she speaks on a panel hosted by MN Doctors for Health Equity. Oct. 11 in St. Paul. If you’re in Minnesota, register here: mdheq.org/event-6334218
October 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
How does the U.S. immigration system affect community health and wellbeing? Join CVT's Sara Nelson as she speaks on a panel hosted by MN Doctors for Health Equity. Oct. 11 in St. Paul. If you’re in Minnesota, register here: mdheq.org/event-6334218
Over CVT’s 40 years, we expanded to many countries, serving thousands of survivors. Many programs have since closed, but our hearts are with our colleagues and clients always.
October 9, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Over CVT’s 40 years, we expanded to many countries, serving thousands of survivors. Many programs have since closed, but our hearts are with our colleagues and clients always.