This centre was established in January 1997, in order to meet the urgent needs faced by survivors of torture, their families, and their immediate social networks, which are often in direct contact with survivors and share the subsequent impact of their trauma. It is the first and the only centre of its kind in the West Bank. Psychiatric assessment and treatment are also carried out during arranged visits to prisoners whenever possible. Home visits and family visits are also conducted by TRC's social workers. Almost all have been subjected to torture in some form.
Torture continues to be carried out systematically in Israeli prisons.
Israeli human rights groups estimate that the number of Palestinians subjected to torture in Israeli prisons in 1999 was 850. TRC currently has approximately 170 clients, and hopes to increase this number by at least 80 new cases in 2000. Types of torture experienced beatings severe shaking extreme heat and cold being tied for long periods in painful positions, generally with filth-covered sack over one's head prolonged periods of standing, generally with a sack over one's head application of pressure to the neck food deprivation solitary confinement sleep deprivation falanga intense noise threats against personal safety and safety of loved ones being forced to watch the torture of others application of pressure to testicles rape with different instruments irritant gas electric shock. Statistics concerning the client database of TRC can be provided upon request. Training A programme of further education, covering the fields of mental health, trauma, and human rights, is conducted regularly.