During the week of March 20th, members of the Libertas staff, Dinali, Walter, Ben, Flint and Jason attended the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs (NCTTP) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. Each year, members of the Consortium are invited to attend a full day Symposium, a multidisciplinary forum for the exchange of original research and systematic literature review among professionals providing services for survivors of torture. This year’s symposium “A Long and Winding Road: Ongoing Challenges and Healing Processes for Forced Migrants and Survivors of Torture” discussed the care of survivors across the disciplines of medicine, psychology, social work, case management, epidemiology, and law.
Libertas staff members Flint, Jason, Walter, Dinali, and Ben pose with our client, Achiro Olwoch (center left), after the The Paying it Forward panel!
A Libertas client and brilliant playwright Achiro P. Olwoch participated in The Paying it Forward Panel in which she and other survivors of torture share a glimpse of their history, experiences, and how they pay it forward by advocating for other survivors of torture and trauma. Achiro notes that she feels she can make a difference through her art and continuing to write and create. We are extremely proud of not only Achiro’s progress but all the panelists who fled persecution in search of hope.
Colleague Julia Leschi from HealthRight International, Jason, Ben, and Flint in front of House Representative Jeffries' office!
In addition, Libertas staff went to Capitol Hill for NCTTP Advocacy day and met with staff members for Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, and House Representatives Hakeem Jeffries and Grace Meng to advocate for support for survivors. They were also granted a brief tour of the House Floor.
We would like to thank the NCTTP for extending this invitation to us and for sharing the work of organizations dedicated to the wellbeing of asylum seekers and torture survivors.
