It never happened to me, so I don’t know if there are procedures”: identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of Rome, Italy

Background: Access and linkage to care for migrant torture survivors is contingent on their identification and appropriate referral. However, appropriate tools for identification of survivors are not readily available, and the (staff of) reception systems of host countries may not always be equipped...

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Main Authors: Caterina Spissu, Gianfranco De Maio, Rafael Van den Bergh, Engy Ali, Emilie Venables, Doris Burtscher, Aurelie Ponthieu, Mario Ronchetti, Narciso Mostarda, Federica Zamatto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims 2018-08-01
Series:Torture
Online Access:https://tidsskrift.dk/torture-journal/article/view/106921
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author Caterina Spissu
Gianfranco De Maio
Rafael Van den Bergh
Engy Ali
Emilie Venables
Doris Burtscher
Aurelie Ponthieu
Mario Ronchetti
Narciso Mostarda
Federica Zamatto
author_facet Caterina Spissu
Gianfranco De Maio
Rafael Van den Bergh
Engy Ali
Emilie Venables
Doris Burtscher
Aurelie Ponthieu
Mario Ronchetti
Narciso Mostarda
Federica Zamatto
author_sort Caterina Spissu
collection DOAJ
description Background: Access and linkage to care for migrant torture survivors is contingent on their identification and appropriate referral. However, appropriate tools for identification of survivors are not readily available, and the (staff of) reception systems of host countries may not always be equipped for this task. This study explores practices in the identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception structures and in the public health sector in Rome, Italy. Method: Data were analysed manually and codes and themes generated. Results: A non-homogeneous level of awareness and experience with torture survivors was observed, together with a general lack of knowledge on national and internal procedures for correct identification of torture survivors. Identification and case management of torture survivors was mainly carried out by non-trained staff. Participants expressed the need for training to gain experience in the identification and management of torture survivors’ cases, as well support and increased resources at both the reception and public health system levels. Conclusions: The crucial process of identification and prise en charge of survivors of torture among migrant and refugee populations is relegated to nontrained and inexperienced professionals at different levels of the reception system and public health care sector, which may carry a risk of non-identification andpossible harm to survivors. Additional resources and structured interventions are urgently needed, in the form of developing procedures, training, and adapted multidisciplinary services.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1018-8185
1997-3322
language English
publishDate 2018-08-01
publisher International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims
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spelling doaj-art-506f2e0ccece44499002369dea30df392025-08-20T03:41:02ZengInternational Rehabilitation Council for Torture VictimsTorture1018-81851997-33222018-08-01282385510.7146/torture.v28i2.106921102485It never happened to me, so I don’t know if there are procedures”: identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of Rome, ItalyCaterina Spissu0Gianfranco De Maio1Rafael Van den Bergh2Engy Ali3Emilie Venables4Doris Burtscher5Aurelie Ponthieu6Mario Ronchetti7Narciso Mostarda8Federica Zamatto9Médecins Sans Frontières - Operational Centre BrusselsMédecins Sans Frontières - Operational Centre BrusselsMédecins Sans Frontières - Operational Centre BrusselsMédecins Sans Frontières - Operational Centre BrusselsMédecins Sans Frontières - Operational Centre BrusselsMédecins Sans Frontières, Vienna Evaluation Unit, Vienna, AustriaMédecins Sans Frontières - Operational Centre BrusselsAzienda Sanitaria Locale Rome 6, Rome, ItalyAzienda Sanitaria Locale Rome 6, Rome, ItalyMédecins Sans Frontières - Operational Centre BrusselsBackground: Access and linkage to care for migrant torture survivors is contingent on their identification and appropriate referral. However, appropriate tools for identification of survivors are not readily available, and the (staff of) reception systems of host countries may not always be equipped for this task. This study explores practices in the identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception structures and in the public health sector in Rome, Italy. Method: Data were analysed manually and codes and themes generated. Results: A non-homogeneous level of awareness and experience with torture survivors was observed, together with a general lack of knowledge on national and internal procedures for correct identification of torture survivors. Identification and case management of torture survivors was mainly carried out by non-trained staff. Participants expressed the need for training to gain experience in the identification and management of torture survivors’ cases, as well support and increased resources at both the reception and public health system levels. Conclusions: The crucial process of identification and prise en charge of survivors of torture among migrant and refugee populations is relegated to nontrained and inexperienced professionals at different levels of the reception system and public health care sector, which may carry a risk of non-identification andpossible harm to survivors. Additional resources and structured interventions are urgently needed, in the form of developing procedures, training, and adapted multidisciplinary services.https://tidsskrift.dk/torture-journal/article/view/106921
spellingShingle Caterina Spissu
Gianfranco De Maio
Rafael Van den Bergh
Engy Ali
Emilie Venables
Doris Burtscher
Aurelie Ponthieu
Mario Ronchetti
Narciso Mostarda
Federica Zamatto
It never happened to me, so I don’t know if there are procedures”: identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of Rome, Italy
Torture
title It never happened to me, so I don’t know if there are procedures”: identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of Rome, Italy
title_full It never happened to me, so I don’t know if there are procedures”: identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of Rome, Italy
title_fullStr It never happened to me, so I don’t know if there are procedures”: identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of Rome, Italy
title_full_unstemmed It never happened to me, so I don’t know if there are procedures”: identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of Rome, Italy
title_short It never happened to me, so I don’t know if there are procedures”: identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of Rome, Italy
title_sort it never happened to me so i don t know if there are procedures identification and case management of torture survivors in the reception and public health system of rome italy
url https://tidsskrift.dk/torture-journal/article/view/106921
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