COUNTRY : United-Kingdom

PRESENTATION : Freedom from Torture (formerly known as the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture), a registered charity established in 1985, is the only organisation in the UK that works exclusively with survivors of torture and organised violence.

Over the past 25+ years (1985 to present), Freedom from Torture has received over 50,000 requests for help. Clients have come from 80 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe, with significant numbers from Iran, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The vast majority of Freedom from Torture clients are refugees or asylum seekers, coping not just with past suffering, but also with the trauma of exile.

Freedom from Torture offers a holistic approach to rehabilitation for survivors of torture.  Our centres offer medical consultation, examination and forensic documentation of injuries, psychological treatment and support, and practical advice to help survivors as they try to rebuild their lives in exile. Freedom from Torture offers specialist support for adults, families, separated young people and children.

As a human rights organisation, Freedom from Torture also aims to educate the public and decision makers about torture and its consequences through our campaigning and awareness raising efforts, while advocacy work strives to ensure that the UK honours its international obligations towards survivors of torture, asylum seekers and refugees.

We also educate and support other organisations that come into contact with torture survivors, such as healthcare services, as well as community and voluntary organisations, in order to ensure that survivors can access the services they need wherever they are.

Freedom from Torture has five treatment centres across the UK. The main treatment centre is in London, with branches in Manchester covering the North West, Newcastle covering the North East, Birmingham covering the West Midlands and Glasgow covering the whole of Scotland. Our newest service opened in 2012 in Leeds and is focusing on capacity building in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

Impartiality is paramount in enabling Freedom from Torture to advocate for the rights of torture survivors and our clients.

We rely largely on individual donations which contribute to over two thirds of our overall income nearly every year.

Please visit our website if you would like to learn more about the work of Freedom from Torture, contribute to the work of the organisation, or to support our campaigning efforts - www.freedomfromtorture.org.