Through Healing, Life Continues for Survivors of Torture in Mexico Doctors Without Borders
go to original June 28, 2023

How this Torture Survivor Found New Meaning for His Trauma (Doctors Without Borders)

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has offered medical and humanitarian care to people affected by violence in Mexico since 2012, including for migrants on the move in different areas of the country. Since then, our teams have observed an evolution in the levels of violence suffered by migrants both in their countries of origin and throughout the migration route.

“According to the testimony of the people assisted by our teams, the violence they face is mainly related to exposure to organized crime. They have suffered acts categorized as torture; cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment; as well as sexual violence, assaults, kidnappings, and other acts,” said Gemma Domínguez, MSF Head of Mission in Mexico.

“People who have serious physical and mental disorders that compromise their functioning arrive at our points of care, a free, interdisciplinary health response that is difficult for them to access in Mexico,” she added.

Comprehensive Care for Survivors of Torture

Since 2017, MSF has provided comprehensive care for 602 survivors of torture and other cruel treatment at the Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) in Mexico City through a care model that involves doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, physical therapists, and social workers, among other health professionals, and contributes to the therapeutic process, improving survivors’ functionality and restoring their dignity.

“The CAI is [also] a space where we coordinate other services such as shelter, legal support, protection, school and job placement in partnership with other actors in Mexico City. We can say that the CAI is a more specialized center for torture survivors,” said Domínguez.

At the end of 2021, MSF began a comprehensive strategy adapted to the Mexican context to care for and reach survivors of torture where we offer health services to migrants. Since then, MSF teams have provided cared for 809 survivors of torture in Tapachula, Palenque, Coatzacoalcos, Nuevo Laredo and Piedras Negras. Comprehensive and interdisciplinary care is also offered in these places, where services are available.

Read the rest at Médecins Sans Frontières

Related: Migrants in Mexico Fall Victim to Rampant Scams on Their Way to the US (Devdiscourse)

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  Learn about Center for Victims of Torture