Conditions of flight are terrifying and there is no guarantee that refugees will find a safe haven. A typical process of flight for a refugee may involve sneaking through a secret passage through the countryside, often at night, while attempting to avoid discovery by the police or military, living in constant fear with little or inappropriate food, clothing, or shelter. For refugees this is a continuous period of great stress, insecurity, and fear. It is also common for many refugees to live in refugee camps in their efforts to find safety. For refugees who have survived torture, the disruption of life and patterns of normalcy can last for years and perpetuate periods of prolonged stress.
Resettlement is difficult for all refugees, but even greater for survivors of torture.
Adjusting to a new life in a new culture can be extremely challenging, but for those who have been victims of torture, the challenge is even greater and the obstacles numerous. For many survivors of torture, the process of resettlement can be just as traumatic as the initial trauma they experienced. Essential to the process of recovery is a positive resettlement process. Unfortunately, there are many barriers to positive resettlement. Settlement staff cite the case of a newly arrived Central American man who, with his pregnant wife and children, spoke no English and had been appallingly tortured.