Volunteers conduct examinations of asylum applicants and prepare written testimony.
Health professionals can also help judges and attorneys understand the effects of trauma on the applicant's behavior, memory, understanding and demeanor. Natalie Audage, Asylum Network coordinator, told Psychiatric Times that 100 of the members currently are psychiatrists, and more are needed. For anyone who wants to do this, we will send a training manual and sample affidavit, and provide an experienced mentor to help. Most physicians and psychologists qualify to provide expert testimony. It is not necessary that they have prior specific experience in treating torture victims.