What We Do
The services offered by the National Centre for Survivors of Torture are unique in Ireland and consist of the following:
• Multidisciplinary (medical, therapeutic and psychosocial) Initial Assessment (IA) for both victims of torture and those who have suffered cruel and inhuman or degrading treatment;
• Ongoing therapeutic interventions for victims of torture which includes individual, group and family therapies;
• Both in-house and outreach psychosocial supports;
• Medical Legal Reports (MLRs) for the protection process;
• English language classes for victims of torture and their families that complement the rehabilitative work.
Therapy
Spirasi offers a number of therapeutic services as part of our rehabilitation programme.
Psychosocial Support
Psychosocial officers are part of the multidisciplinary team that draws up care plans for clients after initial assessment (IA) by physicians and Therapists.
Befriending Programme
Befriending is a service offering one-to-one companionship by trained volunteer befrienders to Spirasi service users. The aim of the service is to reduce isolation and loneliness and to provide support with integration in Irish society.
LGBTQ + Support
Spirasi is committed to providing inclusive spaces, opportunities and specialised rehabilitative services for our clients who identify within the LGBTQ+ community
Medico-Legal Reports
Our specialist doctors provide independent evidence of torture for those seeking international protection in Ireland. Link to referral information page and form.
Education
Spirasi offers 4 Levels of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These QQI accredited courses form part of the integration and rehabilitation programme.
Research
Spirasi is committed to developing best practice and contributing the area of torture rehabilitation.
Currently, Spirasi partners with Trinity Centre for Global Health (TCD) on several projects and University of Ulster on one project relating to the CONTEXT research programme.
What is Torture?
The aim of torture is to obtain information or a
confession, to incriminate a third person, to take revenge, or to establish a reign of terror within a community by breaking the body and the mind of the victim.
Training Provided by Spirasi
Spirasi, as an expert in the field, has developed several training programmes which can be requested by external organisations.
