SACH – Struggle for Change has been providing rehabilitation services to the victims of torture in Pakistan for the last several years and is devoted to establishing a torture-free society in Pakistan. The organization is one of the first in Pakistan having mandate to work for elimination of torture, and has played a significant role in the ratification of UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and other human rights conventions including Convention on Rights of Child (CRC) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

SACH has been engaged in regional collaboration with UN Voluntary Fund for Torture Victims and International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Survivors for the last two decades. In commemoration of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, SACH- Struggle for Change organized a round table discussion with a group of psychologists at Shelton Hotel, Peshawar. The event aimed to sensitize the psychiatric service providers in order to have a better understanding of torture issue in the country. SACH has organized this workshop as part of its campaign in line with the international theme for the year “Right to Rehabilitation”. A number of psychologists from Peshawar participated in the discussion and showed their keen interest as it was an opportunity for all those who seek a world without torture to speak out.
This capacity building training highlighted the significance of rehabilitation and initiated a discussion on rehabilitation services for torture survivors. Two sessions were scheduled in the discussion. First session was on “Conceptual Clarity of Torture & Its Effects”, initiated by Ms. Kulsoom Zehra, Senior Psychosocial Counselor – SACH. The aim of the session was to equip psychologists with the awareness on physical, psychological and sexual effects of torture on primary, secondary and tertiary victims of torture. Ms. Ibtesam Ajmal, Clinical Psychologist-SACH, headed the second session on “Role of Psychologist in Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors”. Since health professionals, especially psychologists are directly involved in the rehabilitation process of torture victims, the knowledge of its various types and kinds and eventual consequences immensely helps in improving the quality of services available to the victims. The participants were also involved in pre- and post-test evaluations to gauge the efficacy of the activity conducted.
At the end of the event, certificates were distributed among the participants and a working group of Psychologists was developed for rehabilitation of torture victims; where after Ms. Khalida Salimi, Executive Director- SACH thanks by appreciating participants for attending the event and joining hands for this noble cause. Ms. Salimi shared that SACH always observes the International Day in support of Victims of Torture, as we are convinced that the successful eradication of torture requires positive efforts of stakeholders at all levels and from all areas of society.