In San Francisco, one in twenty people is a refugee, and many have survived or witnessed torture in their homelands. Torture victims come to Survivors International because they are in pain for reasons that are unique to their torture. They do not feel physically well. They have headaches, trouble sleeping, nightmares, and memories which flood their thoughts. These symptoms are diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorders, the same disorders suffered by many Vietnam veterans as well as victims of rape and child abuse.
Torture is the deliberate infliction of pain to extract information or to punish opponents.
Today, torture continues to be used throughout the world for political purposes. Repressive governments use torture against individuals, such as political and religious leaders, judges, journalists, educators and health professionals, as well as whole communities, in order to terrorize and control them. Physical torture typically includes such atrocities as severe beatings to head and genitals, burning of the skin with cigarettes and torches, suspension by arms or legs, near suffocation, electric shocks, multiple rapes and other sexual violations. Mental torture typically includes prolonged isolation, seeing or hearing others tortured, sexual humiliation, confinement in small places or crowded cells, and mock executions. The torturer ultimately attempts to break the will and spirit of individuals by forcing them to betray their beliefs, their principles and themselves.