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OUR
MISSION & HISTORY
Since its inception in 1995, the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture (PSOT) has cared
for more than 2,000 men, women and children from over 80
countries. PSOT provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care addressing
the medical, mental health, and social service needs of
torture survivors and their families residing in the New
York metropolitan area. PSOT brings together clinical and
academic resources from Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public
hospital in the United States, and New York University School
of Medicine, a highly respected teaching institution at
the center of New York's vibrant academic community.
The PSOT is situated just above the Lower East Side of Manhattan,
which has historically been one of America’s (and
the world’s) most vibrant immigrant communities. Unfortunately,
the diversity of our community is augmented by an influx
of individuals fleeing the increasing incidence of torture
and other human rights abuses practiced in nations from
every region of the world. Immigrants who have escaped harrowing
circumstances in their native lands come to the United States
with hopes of partaking in the freedom and liberty for which
the U.S. is widely known. These survivors often arrive in
New York City, a major entry point for immigrants of all
backgrounds. Consequently, a significant number of torture
survivors and traumatized refugees are discovered among
Bellevue’s general patient population, in addition
to those who have been specifically referred to our program.
The diversity of our clientele is complemented by a professional
team with a wide variety of life experiences, cultural backgrounds,
and professional expertise. At the PSOT we find that these
variations in worldview and training add to the richness
of theoretical debate, and facilitate more nuanced and effective
treatment for our patients.
The Bellevue/NYU Program is the only program in the nation
that has developed and implemented treatment services for
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) survivors of torture,
addressing the particular challenging intersection of immigration
issues, persecution, trauma, and sexual identity. Our experience
with this population has enabled us to develop unusual expertise
that is crucial to the LGBT community.
The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture is a member
of the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs
(NCTTP) and the International Rehabilitation Council for
Torture Victims (IRCT). Information on NCTTP, IRCT and their
members can be found at: ncttp.westside.com/wsContent
and www.irct.org
respectively.
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